Surface agitation

**oldhead** · 07-23-2008, 06:36 PM

How importan is surface agitation in a reef tank? I have 2 Koralia #2's in my 65g now. I'm trying to figure the best way to place them so that water is moved efficiently throughout the tank. Thanks!

**Kuli_Loach** · 07-23-2008, 10:05 PM

I would arrange them to move the water in the water and get like a maxijet 1200 (best wave making powerhead) and use that as a wave maker. The making of waves aids in the transition of O2 into the water.

**gm72** · 07-23-2008, 10:28 PM

Originally Posted by Kuli_Loach

...maxijet 1200 (best wave making powerhead)...

Curious as to why you believe it to be the best? Just wondering, nothing more. I don't know much about powerheads.

**Kuli_Loach** · 07-23-2008, 10:29 PM

I should have put IMO LOL! They are powerful and shoot one strong stream.

**oldhead** · 07-23-2008, 11:04 PM

Hmm I was thinking someone might say something like that. I have water movement now but not so much a wave or rippling motion. And I was hoping that I wouldn't have to crowd my tank with yet another item on the back wall. Is it a definite must to have that much movement at the top or is some movement ok? No one in the tank appears to be suffering with the arrangement that I have now. So I'm not sure if I should be concerned with more agitation or not. Let me know what you think. If I should add more then I'll see about the power head that you mentioned. Thanks.

**gm72** · 07-23-2008, 11:06 PM

Good to know, thanks for the clarification. Just wondering what your experience was with them.

So, ladies and gentlemen, after my brief interjection, back to the topic at hand!

How important is surface agitation in a reef tank?

**jaymz** · 07-23-2008, 11:16 PM

important.. the more surface agitation the more oxygen that is introduced to the water. which is more important in saltwater reef since you water to avoid bubbles in the water as much as possible.

**cocoa_pleco** · 07-23-2008, 11:20 PM

ive got no agitation in my 55g, however sometimes a large chunk of debris clogs my skimmer (main aertion device) so i run a airhose in the tank along with my 2 koralia 2's

**kaybee** · 07-23-2008, 11:21 PM

Surface agitation is beneficial but I'd stop short of calling it a 'definate must have'.

Water flow is probably more important than surface agitation in a reef tank. But the two aren't mutually exclusive, so you can have both.

How are your powerheads positioned?