Water Movement question

[Integracer]

I am trying to figure out how much water movement I need in my 10 gallon tank.

 

Some specific questions:

 

Should I break up the surface of the water with a HOB filter or is it better to just circulate below the surface?

 

Should water flows intersect? Should the flows point in the same direction (causing a wirlpool affect)

 

I currently am running a Whisper HOB filter (small 150 I think), a 120 GPH powerhead, and a hang on back refuge with a 40 GPH powerhead as the return to the tank. I am not sure if this is TOO MUCH or HOW SHOULD I ARRANGE THE FLOWS?

[seabass]

I would continue to use the HOB for flow and to break the water’s surface. Intersecting currents create random flows which are more desirable than a whirlpool.

 

It sounds like you have enough flow. If your corals are happy, your fish aren’t having problems with the currents, and your sand isn’t blowing around – then I’d say that you don’t have too much flow either.

 

In the end, you should have some higher and lower flow areas. Some corals and fish will be happier in one area versus the other.

[fishbabies]

breaking the water surface is how you oxygenate the tank and release carbon dioxide. higher levels of CO2 help feed bad algae.