| You've got the tank, you've got the fish and the | | | | water is stagnant and oxygen-poor, and where |
| plants and the gravel, you've got the filters and | | | | fish and food wastes collect and decay. I hate |
| the bacteria and the lights. What else did you | | | | these – spots like this increase the toxins |
| need? | | | | in the water, foster algae growth, and make your |
| Well, have you looked at how well your water is | | | | water cloudy and disgusting. The moving water |
| moving? If you have a power filter, it might be | | | | also stirs up debris and particles, so that they're |
| helping, but the odds are it's not doing enough | | | | suspended in the water where your mechanical |
| – you might need to look at adding a | | | | filter can remove them, rather than settling in a |
| powerhead, a water director, or a wavemaker to | | | | scummy layer on your tank furniture and gravel. |
| add a little more action to your tank. | | | | Probably the most important benefit your |
| Here's a quick list of all the benefits of having a | | | | aquarium gets from moving water is oxygenation. |
| steady liquid "breeze" circulating through your | | | | By disturbing the surface of the tank, it increases |
| whole tank: | | | | the amount of water exposed to the air, leading |
| A moving current will spread nutrients and oxygen | | | | to a quicker exchange of gases. The water |
| to all of the fish, plants and bacteria in your tank. | | | | molecules release carbon dioxide wastes and |
| This will enhance your biological filtration, which | | | | absorb tons of oxygen. Richly oxygenated water |
| reduces the amount of toxins floating in the | | | | is absolutely essential to keeping your fish, plants |
| water. | | | | and bacteria healthy. Keeping the bacteria healthy, |
| I always remember that moving water is really | | | | in turn, helps to maintain pH level, and keep |
| important in regulating temperature, keeping the | | | | ammonia and phosphate levels to a minimum. |
| water temperature stable by distributing heat | | | | And finally, maybe it's just my imagination, but I |
| evenly. I noticed that it can also prevent hot | | | | think my fish are actually healthier and happier |
| spots from developing near lights or motors, or | | | | when they get to test their muscles by swimming |
| cold spots in distant corners of the tank. | | | | against a gentle current. To be honest, I just think |
| A current that moves through the whole tank will | | | | it's more FUN for them to be in water that |
| prevent the formation of "dead spots", where the | | | | moves! |