| In order to maintain your aquarium at its best | | | | or five times per hour. So if you have a 50-gallon |
| possible condition and the health of its inhabitants, | | | | tank, the pump and filter should be able produce a |
| you must determine the right flow rate for your | | | | flow rate of 200 gallons per hour to 250 gallons |
| tank. Flow rate is typically measured by gallons | | | | per hour. This will serve as the minimum required |
| per hour. Before choosing any fish tank pumps or | | | | flow rate for your tank. Thus, you need to find |
| aquarium powerheads, you must know the ideal | | | | aquarium water pumps or aquarium powerheads |
| rate required by your tank. Consider the type of | | | | that has a GPH rating within this scope. |
| tank you have, the fish species that inhabit, as | | | | Looking into your aquarium type to find the fish |
| well as the existence of live plants in your | | | | tank pumps you need |
| aquarium to determine the appropriate | | | | Some aquariums need higher flow rates, while |
| requirements for your tank. | | | | others need a slower rate of water flow. A |
| Using the right fish tank pumps to maintain the | | | | large-sized tank will need a higher water flow rate, |
| ideal flow rate | | | | but if you have smaller fish species or baby fish, |
| You must pick the right fish tank pumps for your | | | | you might think twice about getting aquarium |
| aquarium. This will ensure that the flow rate within | | | | water pumps with a high GPH rating. Swimming |
| the tank is neither too fast nor too slow. Many | | | | through fast current can cause undue stress to |
| filters are also powered by pumps. Since filters | | | | small fish and younger breeds. |
| keep the water inside the tank cleaner for a | | | | Tanks, which contain large fish species, will |
| longer period of time, installing the right types of | | | | normally require aquarium powerheads that supply |
| aquarium pumps is essential. If the filter is not | | | | high water flow rate. This is important for the |
| capable of working properly due to poor flow, | | | | effective removal of organic waste through the |
| then your aquarium will fill up with waste faster, | | | | filter. In the same way, most reef tanks will also |
| providing an environment that is unfit for your pet | | | | need higher water flow, so that water will move |
| fish and other animals, if you have a marine fish | | | | in all areas within the fish tank. In contrast, smaller |
| tank. | | | | fish tanks or those that are inhabited by |
| Aquarium powerheads for better water | | | | small-sized fish, will need slower water flow rates. |
| movement | | | | If your tank has live plants, a slower water flow |
| Powerheads are aquarium water pumps that are | | | | rate is recommended, since this will help retain the |
| completely submersible. One of the main | | | | CO2 required by plants to survive. |
| advantages in using powerheads is that they are | | | | When choosing aquarium water pumps or |
| ideal for freshwater tanks and saltwater | | | | aquarium powerheads, it is important that you |
| aquariums. Since they produce a laminar current, | | | | determine the right flow rate for your fish tank |
| they work well for freshwater types of fish. | | | | first. This will help you choose a pump or |
| However, powerheads are more ideal for marine | | | | powerhead that works best for your aquarium |
| tanks, since they are also capable of | | | | and the types of fish that inhabit it. |
| multi-directional water flow. Perhaps the main | | | | The purpose of aquarium protein skimmers in |
| benefit from most powerheads nowadays is that | | | | saltwater aquariums |
| water flow customization is always possible. | | | | Aquarium protein skimmers are one of the most |
| Determining the right flow rate for your fish tank | | | | important devices you can use to maintain water |
| Different fish tanks have various flow | | | | quality in a saltwater aquarium. Protein skimming |
| requirements. This will depend on the size of your | | | | removes organic pollutants before they break |
| tank mostly, but you also have to consider the | | | | down into nitrates and phosphates. The improved |
| fish species that inhabit your tank. You also need | | | | water quality is beneficial to fish and corals and |
| to take into account if your tank actually has live | | | | may reduce the frequency in which water |
| plants or corals and reefs. Most fish tank pumps | | | | changes are necessary. |
| have flow rates listed on their labels, but you | | | | Aquarium protein skimmers are available in a few |
| need to remember that such rates are indicated | | | | different styles: units that sit in a sump, units that |
| under the best conditions, which is often not the | | | | sit outside of a sump and those which hang on |
| case with most aquariums. Also, if you use the | | | | the back or rim of the aquarium. Some skimmers, |
| type of tubing that is smaller than the one | | | | such as the AquaC EV, can sit in the sump or |
| required by your water pump, flow rate can get | | | | next to it. We recommend purchasing the best |
| affected. | | | | Aquarium Protein Skimmer possible-within your |
| As much as possible, the aquarium volume | | | | budget, of course-as the higher-end units generally |
| turnover should be anywhere between four times | | | | maintain higher water quality. |