General Discussions:

President Paul Whitby updated the membership on the status of the Oklahoma City Conference for Reef Aquarists and Saltwater Enthusiasts (CRASE). Additional information can be found at www.craseokc.com. 

Ticket Information:

Tickets can be purchased from Aquariums in Edmond, or by contacting Leigh Anne Koudriavtsev at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . Adult tickets are $15 each for general admission, $25 with prepaid gourmet box lunch*. Children are $10 each for general admission, $20 with prepaid gourmet box lunch*.

*Gourmet Box lunch includes: gourmet sandwich, salad of the day, chips, cookies, utensils, and soft drink.

Sandwich Options:

Meat/Veggie Choice: Smoked turkey, ham, roast beef, or avocado mushroom wrap.

Cheese Choice: Smoked cheddar, smoked Gouda, big eye Swiss.

Served on Italian Cibatta or Focaccia breads.

Lunch orders will be taken at a later date.

Each general admission includes one complementary raffle ticket.

Tickets will be available for purchase at COMAS meetings and at Aquariums Tropical Fish & Supply. Online payment is available through www.paypal.com.  We need to assess a $2 charge to cover the fees we are charged by PayPal.  So, adult tickets are $17; $27 with lunch.  Child tickets are $12; $22 with lunch.  For group purchases, please request a total since the PayPal fees will vary.  Please send payment to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it and include a name and a phone number for the ticket holder.   We will hold your tickets for pick-up at the event.  If you have any questions, please send a message to the same email address. 

Hotel Information:

SLEEP INN & SUITES

3608 S BROADWAY EXTENSION

EDMOND, OK 73013 USA

Phone: (405) 844-3000

Fax: (405) 844-3086

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it. Please contact the hotel directly and state you are attending the CRASE conference. 

Additions to the COMAS Library:

The COMAS Library now has the IMAC 2007 DVDs available for your viewing pleasure. There are 24 DVDs contained in the set. 

Prize Winners:

Paul Whitby won a Koralia 4 pump.

Joel Menciano won a Koralia 4 pump.

Cyndi Davis won a $25.00 voucher to Aquarium Oddballs in Tulsa.

COMAS Scribe won a $25.00 voucher to Reef Shop in OKC.

Topic of Meeting:

This month’s presentation by Stephanie Kohl titled “Water Movement in the Reef Aquarium”. This included a power point presentation. The presentation was very informative; some of the highlights will be presented in these minutes.

Water movement in the Aquarium is very important for several reasons; the exchange of gases (oxygen & carbon dioxide), the removal of detritus, the distribution of food, the exercising fish, and its affects coral growth & shape. High water flow encourages more dense coral growth as opposed to low water flow and less dense coral growth. 

Water movement can be optimized by using the right flow for the type of reef you are trying to establish. For example; a soft coral reef requires less flow than an SPS or LPS type of reef tank. Placements of the pumps within a tank are very important. Place the pumps to maximize flow throughout the tank. Do not place in restrictive areas. The placement of coral is also critical to keeping flow rates up in the tank. As corals grow they will reduce and block some of the flow in the tank. Do not place corals too close to a pump, as this will result in torn or damaged corals. Arrange some open areas in the tank to allow for better water flow. Do not forget to vary the direction of the flow.

There are many types of flow;

Laminar flow: This is a unidirectional, focused, stream flow. Laminar flow is considered a smooth flow as opposed to a turbulent flow.

Surging flow: Water volume moves up and down,ssimilar to an ocean swell.Tidal flow: The movement of a large volume of water in one direction for a short time and then back.

Turbulent flow: A chaotic swirling of water in all directions. 

Direction of the flow can be accomplished by the placement of a pump and the type of nozzle with the pump. Most pumps have a static flow (straight line) only. Some pumps have nozzles which can change the direction of flow or alternate the flow. A simple method of diverse flow is to ricochet the stream off of rockwork or one of the glass panels of the tank. One can change the column of flow by selecting the type of nozzle on the pump. The narrower the output of the nozzle, the more focused the flow & velocity will be. A wide nozzle will produce a much broader flow of water with less intense velocity (depending upon the pump used). 

The velocity (speed & direction) of flow needed will depend on the size and dimensions of the tank. One can place many low flow pumps to achieve the flow rate and movement of water specific to their tanks needs. There could be aesthetic & heat issues with all the power cords and pumps. Low flow pumps tend to have their velocity dissipate at shorter distances. High flow pumps can be used to reach your water flow & movement goals with fewer pumps. There could be issues with coral placement being too close to the pumps. The high flow pumps can push large amounts of water with greater velocity at an increased distance before dissipation occurs. Variable flow pumps are another way to move volumes of water around the tank. One needs to consider the turnover rate for your aquarium. Opinions vary as to the exact amount of turnover need. They vary from six to ten times per hour to as high as thirty times per hour. When totaling the turnover rate on your tank, don’t forget to include the closed loop system and all of your pumps in the display.

There are many devices to achieve the appropriate flow in your tank;Electronic controllers can create many types of flow such as: Tunze, Koralia, & JBJ.

Direction changing devices such as: Oceans Motions, Seaswirl, & SCWD.

Wave boxes can be used to create tidal flow such as: Wave 2K, & Tunze Wavebox.

Surge devices such as: DYI – Borneman Surge Device.

Closed Loop Systems which are used on reef tanks and can be fitted to non-reef tanks. 

Take Home Points:

1. Laminar flow is fine for fish, but turbulent flow is better for corals.

2. Turbulent flow can be accomplished by either deflection of variable direction of flow.

3. Flow column size and number of pumps are inversely proportional.

4. You have to decide what is right for your tank. Meeting adjourned at 9:00pm