The benefits of flow in an aquascaping aquarium

Water flow, also known as the circulation of water, is very important and affects many processes in aquariums that many people often overlook.

1. The importance of flow in aquascaping

Water flow helps prevent the formation of a film on the water’s surface, aiding in the removal of dirt and excess food into the filtration system and out of the tank. It helps clean debris, eliminate harmful substances and bacteria, contributing to a clearer and less cloudy aquarium.

Flow in aquariums enhances the exchange of CO2, nutrients in the water, and organic debris, thereby improving gas exchange between the tank and the outside.

Additionally, flow increases the surface area in contact with air as it continuously moves across the water’s surface, enhancing the dissolved oxygen levels in the water and releasing carbon dioxide into the air. Oxygen is essential for the health of aquatic species, allowing for more fish to be kept in the same tank.

2. How to identify ineffective flow

-Flow is too weak:

If you look at the filtration capacity in the filter system and notice that the water quickly becomes dirty and cloudy after each water change, it means the aquarium’s filtration system is not working effectively. A weak filtration system results in ineffective flow in the tank, with weak water entering and exiting the filter, and debris not being completely removed.

If the aquascape does not have good flow, there will be areas of water that are less affected, and less debris will enter the filter, which is one of the reasons algae can thrive.

– Flow is too strong:

Using a filter with too much power for the tank can also negatively impact the aquatic life within. Fish may die quickly due to being subjected to strong currents for hours. Aquatic plants, such as moss and stem plants, do not thrive in overly strong flow. Some types of harmful algae thrive in strong currents and will take advantage of newly planted plants in the tank to grow, such as black beard algae.

3. Methods to adjust flow in aquascaping

• If the aquarium only contains substrate, rocks, and aquatic plants, there will be very little flow movement. We should install a heater in the tank; the water flow will create convection, with warmer water around the heater rising and cooler water taking its place.
• The swimming of fish will cause water movement due to the motion of their fins. The amount of flow in this case depends on the size and number of fish in the tank.
• If using an air pump or submersible filter, the water flow will be significantly active due to the bubbles created by these devices. Additionally, an external filter or a small pump placed in the tank can be used.

4. Some notes when adjusting flow in the tank

• Flow adjustment should depend on the growth cycle of the aquascape.
• If using a fan-type CO2 mixer, it is advisable to purchase a stronger filter to compensate.
• Weekly monitoring of the filtration system is necessary to check for reduced flow rates, ensuring timely cleaning of the filter or inlet/outlet pipes. There are ways to clean inlet/outlet pipes effectively. See here.

• Choose a filter that can increase or decrease flow as needed to avoid situations of flow being too strong or too weak.
• For larger tanks, it is advisable to use two filters to ensure flow; the two filters do not need to be overly powerful.
• Planting more moss and ferns will slightly increase flow because these plants thrive and grow faster in tanks with strong currents. However, if primarily planting Dutch-style plants or stem plants, a moderate filter should suffice, avoiding extremes of strength.

Above, Aqua Plants Hub has outlined some benefits and methods for adjusting flow in aquascaping. If you intend to purchase filtration systems or canister filters and cannot find a suitable seller, please refer here.