importance of surface water agitation

monkeybiz · 10/19/2009, 08:33 PM

ive read a few threads where people spoke about adjusting thier powerheads to get good surface agitation. what is the benefits of this?

Misled · 10/19/2009, 08:45 PM

Gas exchange happens at the surface, so better surface agitation means better gas exchange. Plus with MH's it gives better shimmers.

acrodave · 10/19/2009, 08:45 PM

thats were most of the o2 get mixed into the water ..helps keep the tank cool by evaporation. and if you have halides make the cool ripple affect. and keeps the nasty film from forming

Flipper62 · 10/19/2009, 08:46 PM

It helps to keep the crap that floats to the top get to your filter. It also helps to keep the water aerated & with the gas exchange

monkeybiz · 10/20/2009, 12:57 AM

Thanks. Sounds like a great excuse to get myself a vortech

akando · 10/20/2009, 09:27 AM

Monkeybiz, exactly why I just ordered mine!

monkeybiz · 10/20/2009, 09:28 AM

I hope you got on the group buy! There's one on another forum for 170 shipped for mp10. And people are saying they recieved in 3 days!

redsea reefer · 10/20/2009, 09:47 AM

gas exchange and oxygenating the water

wooden_reefer · 10/20/2009, 01:48 PM

You also increase the area of the air-water interface for gaseous exchange.

If a surface is rippled, there is more surface area than when the surface is placid.

jflick345 · 10/20/2009, 02:06 PM

Is the gas exchange at the surface really that critical though if you're running a skimmer? Afterall, it's injecting huge amounts of air into the water. Also part of the reason to have a refugium is the oxygen the algae gives off as part of photosynthesis.

Michael · 10/20/2009, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jflick345

Is the gas exchange at the surface really that critical though if you're running a skimmer? Afterall, it's injecting huge amounts of air into the water. Also part of the reason to have a refugium is the oxygen the algae gives off as part of photosynthesis.

yep it is important, its allowing gases to naturally escape from the system, including carbon dioxide, which we dont want in our tanks

jflick345 · 10/20/2009, 02:10 PM

I guess I just assumed all the turbulence of the water in the sump supplies plenty of gas exchange. I only have powerheads pointed up far enough to push junk towards the overflow.

baldomero · 10/20/2009, 03:27 PM

i just recently adjusted my powerheads and decided to put them as close to the surface as i can,and i love the shimmering effect it made my tank look alot better

kcreefer86 · 10/20/2009, 04:27 PM

gas exchange and o2 for you tank...

10/19/2009, 08:33 PM	#1
monkeybiz Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 308	importance of surface water agitation ive read a few threads where people spoke about adjusting thier powerheads to get good surface agitation. what is the benefits of this?

10/19/2009, 08:45 PM	#2
Misled RC Mod Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Pittsburgh, Pa Posts: 11,440 Blog Entries: 11	Gas exchange happens at the surface, so better surface agitation means better gas exchange. Plus with MH's it gives better shimmers. __________________ Jesse I'm not saying I'm Batman. I'm just saying nobody has ever seen me and Batman in a room together.

10/19/2009, 08:45 PM	#3
acrodave REEF NERD Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: maryville tn-- work in knoxville Posts: 4,187	thats were most of the o2 get mixed into the water ..helps keep the tank cool by evaporation. and if you have halides make the cool ripple affect. and keeps the nasty film from forming __________________ Peace,Dave Superman puts on Tim Tebow pajamas when he goes to bed The Heisman as a sophomore nuff said Less technology more biology Tattoos are the only art you can take to the grave Current Tank Info: 26gal bow,20gal mantis tank/fuge150wHQI,20k AB Seio 620 maxijet1200x's 2 on a wave maker. all sps

10/19/2009, 08:46 PM	#4
Flipper62 Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Naperville, Il. Business Owner, President & CEO Posts: 3,045	It helps to keep the crap that floats to the top get to your filter. It also helps to keep the water aerated & with the gas exchange __________________ If todays automobile had followed the same development as the computer, A Rolls Royce would cost $100.00. It would get a million miles per gallon, but it would explode once a year killing everyone inside." Current Tanks... 90 gal Reef... My awesome Office BioCube....( 180 was on hold ..no time ) ... The 180 gal has been sold...Yay..yay..yay. Hobby Experience: 19 years Reef...22 years FW

10/20/2009, 09:47 AM	#8
redsea reefer Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: L.A California Posts: 335	gas exchange and oxygenating the water __________________ -Eddie- 34g RSM 130 - Tunze 9002 skimmer with inTank media rack - Vortech MP10

10/20/2009, 12:57 AM	#5
monkeybiz Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 308	Thanks. Sounds like a great excuse to get myself a vortech

10/20/2009, 09:27 AM	#6
akando Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Jacksonville NC Posts: 57	Monkeybiz, exactly why I just ordered mine!

10/20/2009, 09:28 AM	#7
monkeybiz Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 308	I hope you got on the group buy! There's one on another forum for 170 shipped for mp10. And people are saying they recieved in 3 days!

10/20/2009, 01:48 PM	#9
wooden_reefer Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 4,670	You also increase the area of the air-water interface for gaseous exchange. If a surface is rippled, there is more surface area than when the surface is placid.

10/20/2009, 02:06 PM	#10
jflick345 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 884	Is the gas exchange at the surface really that critical though if you're running a skimmer? Afterall, it's injecting huge amounts of air into the water. Also part of the reason to have a refugium is the oxygen the algae gives off as part of photosynthesis.

10/20/2009, 02:10 PM	#12
jflick345 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 884	I guess I just assumed all the turbulence of the water in the sump supplies plenty of gas exchange. I only have powerheads pointed up far enough to push junk towards the overflow.

10/20/2009, 03:27 PM	#13
baldomero Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: aguada,puerto rico Posts: 902	i just recently adjusted my powerheads and decided to put them as close to the surface as i can,and i love the shimmering effect it made my tank look alot better

10/20/2009, 04:27 PM	#14
kcreefer86 Moved On Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 213	gas exchange and o2 for you tank...