Unleashing the Ocean's Rhythm: A Deep Dive into the Tunze Wavebox 6208 for Your Reef Tank

Why Water Movement is the Unsung Hero of Your Reef Aquarium

Natural coral reefs are vibrant, dynamic ecosystems, constantly shaped by the relentless ebb and flow of ocean currents and waves. This ceaseless water movement is not merely a scenic backdrop; it is a critical, life-sustaining force fundamental to the health and vitality of every organism inhabiting the reef. Water flow delivers essential nutrients and microscopic food particles to sedentary corals, removes metabolic waste products, facilitates crucial gas exchange, and provides the physical stimulation necessary for optimal coral growth and natural behaviors. Without this constant motion, the intricate biological processes that define a thriving reef would quickly falter.

Replicating this complex, multi-directional natural flow within the confined environment of a closed aquarium system presents a significant challenge for hobbyists. Traditional aquarium pumps often generate static or unidirectional currents, which, while providing some circulation, frequently fall short of the comprehensive and varied flow needed for optimal reef health. Such setups can lead to “dead zones”—areas of minimal or stagnant water movement where detritus accumulates, oxygen levels deplete, and harmful substances can build up, compromising the well-being of the tank’s inhabitants. The ultimate objective in a reef aquarium is to produce effective water movement throughout the entire tank, reaching every nook and cranny of the aquascape.

The Tunze Wavebox 6208 emerges as a groundbreaking and scientifically advanced solution that transcends conventional wavemakers. It offers a unique ability to harness the natural resonance of an aquarium to generate a widespread, oscillating current, closely mimicking the dynamic surge zones found on natural reefs. This innovative approach reflects Tunze’s historical leadership and deep understanding of fluid dynamics in aquarium environments. The company pioneered the Wavebox technology, introducing it in 2004 as the first product of its kind to generate true waves using the resonance principle, without relying on mechanical paddles or dump buckets. This long-standing commitment to innovation and the development of near-nature water conditions positions the Tunze Wavebox 6208 not just as another piece of equipment, but as a refined technology built upon decades of expertise, offering a proven and effective solution for creating a truly dynamic and healthy reef microcosm.

The Science of Flow: Replicating Nature’s Currents for Thriving Corals

Achieving optimal water flow in a reef aquarium extends far beyond simply increasing the “gallons per hour” (GPH) turnover rate. While a strong return pump is essential for overall system circulation, the quality, type, and pattern of internal water movement are paramount for the health of corals and other sessile invertebrates. Different flow patterns serve distinct purposes and cater to the specific needs of various coral species.

Water flow can be broadly categorized into several types:

• Laminar Flow: Characterized by a constant, unidirectional current, similar to a strong river flow. While useful for certain Small Polyp Stony (SPS) corals that thrive in high-energy environments, it can create “dead zones” if not strategically managed.
• Turbulent Flow: Involves chaotic, random water movement that effectively prevents stagnation and is ideal for mixed reef tanks, promoting movement throughout the entire water column. This is often achieved by positioning multiple powerheads at varying angles.
• Pulsing Flow: Features alternating strong and weak currents, simulating the rhythmic motion of ocean waves. This type of flow is particularly beneficial for Large Polyp Stony (LPS) corals, which prefer a gentle swaying motion.
• Gyre Flow: Describes a robust, circular motion that moves a large volume of water across a wide cross-section of the tank. Gyre pumps are highly effective at keeping detritus suspended in the water column for efficient removal.

The diverse needs of corals underscore why a varied and appropriate water movement strategy is crucial. Corals have evolved to thrive in specific hydrodynamic conditions, and understanding these requirements is key to their success in a captive environment.

The Boundary Layer Effect: How Flow Feeds and Cleans Your Corals

At the microscopic level, every surface in an aquarium, particularly that of corals, is enveloped by a thin, often stagnant or slow-moving layer of water known as the “diffusive boundary layer”. This critical layer is the interface where all chemical exchange between the coral and the surrounding bulk water occurs. Nutrients, oxygen, and food particles must diffuse

through this boundary layer to reach the coral’s tissues, while metabolic waste products, such as carbon dioxide, hydrogen ions, and toxic oxidants (byproducts of photosynthesis), must diffuse out of it to be carried away.

In conditions of insufficient water flow, this boundary layer becomes thicker. A thicker boundary layer acts as a significant barrier, severely inhibiting the efficient diffusion of essential substances to the coral and the effective removal of harmful byproducts from its surface. This impediment can lead to a cascade of negative effects: slowed coral growth due to insufficient nutrient uptake, reduced calcification rates, impaired gas exchange, and even “coral poisoning” from the buildup of internal toxins or acidification within the coral’s tissues.

Therefore, a primary scientific objective of effective water flow in a reef tank is to actively penetrate, disrupt, and thin this diffusive boundary layer. A thinner boundary layer allows for significantly higher rates of mass transfer, optimizing nutrient import, waste export, and gas exchange. This direct correlation between effective flow and a thin boundary layer is fundamental to maximizing coral calcification, promoting robust growth rates, sustaining vibrant coloration, and ensuring the overall biological success of a coral colony. The geometric complexity of corals themselves further influences how water flows around and through their structures, with waves playing a significant role in enhancing mass transfer to interstitial spaces.

Oxygenation and Detritus Management: The Invisible Benefits

Beyond the direct physiological needs of corals, proper water flow serves vital systemic functions that maintain the overall health and stability of the aquarium ecosystem. Consistent water movement is the primary mechanism for robust gas exchange at the water’s surface, facilitating the release of carbon dioxide and the crucial absorption of oxygen. This continuous aeration ensures high oxygen levels throughout the entire water column, which is critical for the respiration of fish, invertebrates, and the beneficial aerobic bacteria that drive biological filtration. Without sufficient oxygen, the entire biological system can become stressed or even collapse.

Furthermore, continuous water circulation is indispensable for preventing the accumulation of detritus—a mix of fish waste, uneaten food, and decaying organic matter—in “dead zones”. These stagnant areas, often found at the bottom of the tank, within rock crevices, or behind intricate aquascaping, become traps for organic pollutants. When detritus settles and decomposes, it contributes to undesirable spikes in nitrate and phosphate levels, which can fuel the growth of nuisance algae and potentially harm sensitive reef inhabitants. Effective flow actively keeps this organic waste suspended in the water column, ensuring that it is continuously pushed towards your overflow and into your sump. This allows your mechanical filtration (such as filter socks or floss) and protein skimmer to efficiently capture and remove these pollutants from the system before they can break down and degrade water quality. This proactive waste management strategy leads to a cleaner, more stable, and ultimately healthier environment for the entire reef community.

Introducing the Tunze Wavebox 6208: Harnessing Resonance for Natural Waves

The Tunze Wavebox 6208 stands apart from conventional wavemakers by employing a sophisticated scientific principle: resonance. Every enclosed body of water, including an aquarium, possesses a unique natural resonant frequency. This frequency is determined by the tank’s dimensions (length, width, depth) and the arrangement of its internal aquascaping. The Wavebox is ingeniously engineered to precisely match and exploit this inherent frequency. By pulsing its internal pump—a high-quality Turbelle® nanostream® 6055—at this exact rhythm, it allows a relatively small amount of energy to accumulate and build into significant, oscillating water movements, creating a true, large-scale wave effect that rocks the entire tank volume. This “harmonic wavemaker” approach is remarkably efficient, generating powerful water movements with surprisingly low energy consumption and high overall efficiency, as the energy is optimally utilized rather than simply dissipated.

Key Features and Specifications

The Tunze Comline Wavebox 6208 is designed with both performance and practicality in mind, offering a suite of features tailored for the discerning North American reef hobbyist.

This device is ideally suited for small to medium-sized aquariums, specifically those ranging from 150 to 800 liters (approximately 40 to 211 US gallons). Its energy efficiency is notable, with an average power consumption of just 10 Watts, operating with a universal power supply unit (100-240V / 50-60Hz).

The Wavebox boasts compact dimensions, measuring a sleek 110 x 90 x 255 mm (approximately 4.3” x 3.5” x 10”), allowing for discreet or even hidden installation within the aquarium. It requires an approximate immersion depth of 230 mm (9.1 inches). An integrated Magnet Holder provides easy and flexible attachment anywhere in the aquarium, accommodating glass thicknesses up to 15 mm (roughly 1/2” or 2/3”). The recessed design of these magnets allows the unit to sit closer to the back glass, further enhancing its streamlined appearance.

Each Tunze Wavebox 6208 comes complete with a high-quality Turbelle® nanostream® 6055 pump, a dedicated Turbelle® controller for precise wave tuning, and a Moonlight Turbelle® sensor for automatic night setback, which reduces flow during nocturnal hours. For enhanced durability and peace of mind, the unit is engineered with safety features including extra-low voltage operation, as well as blocking and run-dry protection. The approximate retail price for the Tunze Wavebox 6208 is around $399.99 USD.

How the Wavebox Operates

The operation of the Tunze Wavebox 6208 is a testament to elegant engineering, creating a natural wave effect through a precise, rhythmic cycle:

1. The Push Phase: The powerful internal Turbelle® nanostream® 6055 pump briefly activates, pressing a volume of water towards one side of the tank, for example, the left-hand side. This initial, controlled expulsion of water initiates the overall movement of the tank’s water volume.
2. The Pause and Return Phase: Following the push, the pump momentarily stops. During this pause, the water that was displaced to one side naturally begins to return across the entire aquarium, flowing back towards the Wavebox and creating a counter-movement towards the opposite side of the tank, for example, the right-hand side. This return motion is crucial for the wave’s formation.
3. The Oscillating Rhythm: This precise, controlled on/off cycling of the pump, meticulously synchronized with the aquarium’s unique natural resonant frequency, creates a continuous, rhythmic “sloshing” or “rocking” motion throughout the entire water column. The result is a “strongly pulsating circular current” that ensures all polyps, regardless of their position within the aquascape, experience natural, oscillating water movement.

The included Turbelle® controller plays a pivotal role in managing this precise frequency, allowing the hobbyist to fine-tune the wave action to their specific tank’s resonance. This controller also enables convenient features that enhance the user experience and the well-being of the tank inhabitants. The Moonlight Turbelle® sensor, for instance, automatically initiates a night setback, reducing flow during nocturnal hours to provide a calmer environment for resting fish and corals. Additionally, an integrated “Foodtimer” function allows for a temporary pause in wave generation, typically for about 10 minutes, during feeding times. This ensures that food is consumed by the inhabitants rather than being immediately swept away by currents, contributing to both feeding efficiency and water quality.

This mechanism represents a fundamental shift from traditional directional flow. Unlike propeller or gyre pumps, which generate localized, high-velocity streams or sheets of water , the Wavebox induces a bulk oscillation of the entire water volume. This means that water movement penetrates and affects every cubic inch of the tank, even in areas that traditional directional pumps might struggle to reach, such as behind intricate rockwork or at the base of large coral colonies. This comprehensive coverage is critical for preventing “dead spots” and ensuring that detritus is kept suspended for filtration, while nutrients are delivered uniformly throughout the entire aquascape. This pervasive flow profile is a more accurate replication of natural reef surge zones, where the entire water body moves, offering a significant advantage over setups requiring multiple, precisely aimed directional powerheads to achieve comprehensive flow. For the hobbyist, this translates to simplified tank design, reduced effort in managing detritus, and a more consistently healthy environment for all inhabitants.

Transforming Your Reef: Specific Benefits of the Tunze Wavebox 6208

The Tunze Wavebox 6208 offers a multitude of specific, tangible benefits that can profoundly transform a reef aquarium into a more natural, healthier, and dynamic ecosystem.

Optimal Coral Health and Growth

The Tunze Wavebox 6208 excels at replicating the natural, oscillating water movements found in the dynamic surge zones of coral reefs. This constant, rhythmic swaying motion, distinct from a harsh, unidirectional blast, provides a biologically accurate environment that significantly reduces stress on corals and actively encourages their natural behaviors, such as polyp extension for feeding.

The Wavebox’s unique flow benefits diverse coral types:

• SPS Corals (Small Polyp Stony): While often requiring strong, turbulent flow for optimal health, the Wavebox’s pervasive oscillation ensures that flow reaches the often-stagnant bases of large, dense colonies. This is crucial for preventing tissue necrosis and die-off that can occur due to insufficient water movement in overgrown tanks. The Wavebox acts as an excellent foundational flow, complementing targeted directional pumps to create a truly dynamic and comprehensive environment.
• LPS Corals (Large Polyp Stony): Corals such as Torch, Hammer, and Frogspawn thrive in moderate, pulsing flow that allows their fleshy polyps to sway gently without being damaged or retracted. The Wavebox’s natural wave action is perfectly suited for this, promoting full polyp extension and efficient capture of food particles.
• Soft Corals: Delicate soft corals like Mushrooms, Xenia, and Leather Corals generally prefer gentle to moderate flow. The Wavebox’s broad, graceful movement allows them to bend and sway naturally, enhancing their visual appeal and ensuring proper circulation without causing excessive stress or tearing. Xenia, in particular, will exhibit its characteristic pulsing motion beautifully in the gentle flow provided.

By continuously disrupting and thinning the “diffusive boundary layer” around corals, the Wavebox directly facilitates the optimal uptake of essential ions, such as calcium and alkalinity, which are critical for skeletal growth (calcification) in stony corals. This improved exchange also ensures efficient delivery of other vital nutrients and the rapid removal of metabolic byproducts, leading to more vibrant coloration and robust, healthy growth rates across all coral types.

Enhanced Nutrient Cycling and Waste Export

One of the most profound and tangible benefits of the Wavebox’s whole-tank motion is its ability to actively “de-sediment” the entire aquarium habitat. This means it constantly stirs up and prevents detritus—a mix of fish waste, uneaten food, and decaying plant material—from settling on coral surfaces, within live rock crevices, or in the sand bed. This effectively automates the manual “turkey basting” often required to clean these areas, saving hobbyists considerable time and effort.

By keeping organic waste suspended in the water column, the Wavebox ensures that detritus is continuously pushed towards your overflow and into your sump. This allows your mechanical filtration (such as filter socks or floss) and protein skimmer to more efficiently capture and remove these pollutants from the system before they can break down. This proactive waste removal directly helps to keep undesirable nitrates and phosphates from accumulating in the tank, thereby maintaining superior water quality.

Furthermore, corals, particularly photosynthetic ones, naturally produce toxic oxidants as a byproduct of their metabolism. Without sufficient flow, these toxins can build up around the coral, leading to a condition often referred to as “coral poisoning.” The Wavebox’s constant water movement ensures these oxidants are rapidly flushed away from the coral’s surface, maintaining their health and vitality. Similarly, it helps corals expel excess hydrogen ions, preventing internal acidification that can halt calcification.

A Cleaner, More Stable Environment

The Wavebox’s ability to move the entire water volume is highly effective at eliminating “dead spots”—stagnant areas where debris, uneaten food, and harmful bacteria can accumulate. This comprehensive circulation ensures a healthier, more uniform environment throughout the tank, reducing the likelihood of localized issues.

Consistent water circulation also aids in the even distribution of heat, nutrients, and any medications throughout the aquarium, preventing localized hot/cold spots or chemical imbalances. This contributes significantly to overall system stability, which is crucial for sensitive reef inhabitants. By actively preventing detritus buildup and facilitating efficient waste removal, the Wavebox directly contributes to lower nutrient levels in the water column. This, in turn, discourages the proliferation of nuisance algae, leading to a cleaner, more aesthetically pleasing tank and less manual cleaning for the hobbyist.

Energy Efficiency and Reliability

Despite its ability to generate significant and widespread water movement, the Tunze Wavebox 6208 boasts an impressively low average energy consumption of just 10 Watts. This high efficiency, stemming from its resonance principle, translates into tangible savings on your electricity bill over time, making it an economical choice for continuous operation.

Tunze has a long-standing reputation in the aquarium hobby for producing robust, durable, and “bulletproof reliable” equipment. Many users report their Tunze products lasting for many years with minimal issues. This reliability translates to less downtime, fewer unexpected replacements, and overall peace of mind compared to some alternatives that may require more frequent maintenance or encounter problems.

The Tunze Wavebox, through its single-unit, resonance-based “whole tank rocking” motion , inherently provides broad, naturalistic flow that reaches all areas of the tank. This significantly reduces the need for extensive planning or multiple devices to eliminate dead spots and ensure consistent detritus suspension. For the hobbyist, this translates into less guesswork, a cleaner aesthetic with fewer in-tank devices, and a more energy-efficient operation due to its low power draw. This makes the Tunze Wavebox an exceptionally attractive option for hobbyists who prioritize effective flow but wish to minimize complexity, visual intrusion, and long-term operating costs. It offers a robust, largely “set-and-forget” solution that allows the hobbyist to focus more on the enjoyment of their reef and less on intricate equipment management.

Coral Flow Preferences at a Glance

Understanding the varied flow requirements of different coral types is essential for a thriving mixed reef. The Tunze Wavebox’s unique oscillating flow can either fulfill or significantly complement these diverse needs.

Is the Tunze Wavebox 6208 Right for Your Aquarium? Practical Considerations for North American Reefers

Before integrating the Tunze Wavebox 6208 into an aquarium, it is important to consider several practical aspects to ensure optimal performance and safety.

Tank Size and Compatibility

The Tunze Wavebox 6208 is specifically designed for small to medium-sized aquariums, with a recommended volume range of 150 to 800 liters (approximately 40 to 211 US gallons). For tanks exceeding this capacity, such as those over 800 liters (211 US gallons), the larger Wavebox 6214 model or a synchronized setup of multiple Wavebox units operating alternately (controlled by a Wavecontroller 7092) may be necessary to achieve the desired wave effect. The integrated magnet holder provides secure attachment and is compatible with glass thicknesses up to 15 mm, which roughly translates to 1/2 inch or 2/3 inch in North American customary units.

Installation and Placement

Optimal placement of the Wavebox is typically on one of the end panels of the aquarium. When positioning the unit, careful consideration should be given to the location of return pump outlets and inlets. The Wavebox’s resonance principle creates minimal water level variation in the center of the aquarium (relative to its longitudinal axis), making this zone ideal for plumbing to minimize noise or interference with the wave action. The compact dimensions of the Wavebox and its recessed magnets allow for a discreet or “hidden installation,” sitting close to the back glass and minimizing its visual impact within the display. Furthermore, because the Wavebox generates a broad, whole-tank motion, the criticality of precise aiming—a common concern with directional powerheads—is significantly reduced.

Addressing Common Concerns

While the Tunze Wavebox 6208 offers significant benefits, it is important to address potential concerns that hobbyists may encounter.

• Aquarium Structural Integrity: This is a paramount safety consideration. Tunze explicitly warns that the Wavebox, by utilizing the resonance principle to create large water movements, can impose “higher loads on the aquarium glass bonding and the aquarium glass itself” compared to tanks without wave activity. It is crucial that the aquarium is robustly constructed and manufactured according to established engineering formulas, such as the Timoshenko formula for glass thickness and bonding, which most reputable, modern aquariums adhere to. The very mechanism that allows the Wavebox to generate powerful, whole-tank waves (amplifying energy at the tank’s natural frequency) inherently increases the dynamic mechanical load on the tank structure. Therefore, the robust construction and inherent stability of the aquarium—including adherence to engineering standards, strong glass bonding, and proper leveling—are not merely recommendations but critical prerequisites for the safe and long-term use of the Wavebox. Failure to meet these conditions could potentially lead to catastrophic tank failure. Users with older, unbraced, or potentially compromised tanks should exercise extreme caution or consult with an aquarium professional before installation.
• Water Level Fluctuations: Due to the oscillating motion, the water level within the aquarium will fluctuate. It is essential to ensure that the aquarium is sufficiently “high enough to accommodate the water level fluctuations” to prevent spills, particularly in rimless tank designs.
• Noise: User experiences regarding noise can vary. While some users report Tunze products, including the Wavebox, to be “completely silent” , others have noted an audible hum or clicking sound, particularly during the pulsing cycles. This can be subjective, influenced by tank acoustics, or related to specific installation nuances. Proper tuning of the resonance frequency and ensuring correct placement can often mitigate perceived noise. For comparison, some popular alternatives like the EcoTech MP40 have also been reported to emit audible hums.
• Initial Tuning and Setup: Some users may initially find it challenging to precisely tune the resonance frequency in “auto mode”. However, the Turbelle® controller offers a manual mode for precise adjustment, allowing hobbyists to find the optimal frequency for their specific tank and achieve the desired wave effect.

Beyond the Box: Maximizing Your Wavebox Experience

To fully leverage the capabilities of the Tunze Wavebox 6208 and ensure its long-term performance, hobbyists can implement several strategies for tuning, integration, and maintenance.

Tuning for Optimal Performance

The included Turbelle® Controller is indispensable for unlocking the Wavebox’s full potential. It enables precise adjustment of the internal pump’s on/off cycle to perfectly match your aquarium’s unique resonant frequency. Hobbyists are encouraged to experiment with the controller settings to find the “sweet spot” that creates the most noticeable and desirable “swaying” or “rocking” motion throughout the tank, without causing excessive splashing, undue noise, or unnecessary stress on the tank’s inhabitants. This optimal frequency is not static; it may require periodic fine-tuning as coral colonies grow, the aquascape matures, or if significant changes are made to the tank’s internal structure, as these factors can subtly alter the tank’s resonant properties.

Integrating with Existing Flow

The Tunze Wavebox 6208 is not necessarily a standalone flow solution but rather a powerful complement to an existing circulation strategy. Its oscillating current can work synergistically with other Tunze Turbelle® pumps (or other brands of powerheads) and the main return pump to create a truly dynamic and comprehensive “strongly pulsating circular current” that accurately mimics natural reef top biotopes. The Wavebox is particularly effective at addressing and eliminating persistent “dead spots” that traditional, directional powerheads might struggle to reach, especially behind intricate rockwork or at the base of large coral colonies. For very large aquariums beyond the 6208’s recommended volume, multiple Waveboxes (e.g., two Wavebox 6214s for a 528 US gallon tank) can be placed in opposite corners and operated alternately using a central Wavecontroller 7092 to create even more expansive and powerful wave action.

This system integration is a key advantage. The Wavebox is an integral part of a broader, well-established Tunze ecosystem of pumps and controllers. This means that hobbyists who already own other Tunze Turbelle® pumps or controllers can seamlessly integrate the Wavebox into their existing setup, leveraging familiar interfaces and ensuring compatibility. This also implies a pathway for future scalability and advanced control, as multiple Tunze devices can be centrally managed, reducing complexity, wiring, and potential compatibility headaches often associated with mixing different brands. This ecosystem approach translates into significant long-term value and fosters brand loyalty, as investing in a Tunze Wavebox means buying into a system that can grow and adapt with a hobbyist’s reefing journey.

Maintenance for Longevity

Tunze has a strong reputation for producing highly reliable and durable equipment that requires relatively low maintenance. This “bulletproof” reliability contributes to long-term peace of mind. Routine cleaning of the internal Turbelle® nanostream® 6055 pump is advisable to prevent the buildup of mineral deposits or biological film, which can affect the pump’s efficiency, performance, and potentially lead to increased noise. Regular, gentle cleaning ensures the Wavebox operates at its peak.

The convenience features of the Turbelle® controller further contribute to ease of use and long-term health. The included Moonlight Turbelle® sensor automatically initiates a night setback (reduced flow) for a calmer nocturnal environment, mimicking natural reef conditions. Additionally, the integrated “Foodtimer” function allows for a temporary pause in wave generation (approximately 10 minutes) during feeding times, ensuring food is consumed by the inhabitants rather than being immediately swept away by currents. These thoughtful features not only enhance user convenience but also contribute to the overall health and well-being of the aquarium ecosystem.

Conclusion: Ride the Wave to a Healthier, More Dynamic Reef

The Tunze Wavebox 6208 stands as a premier solution for creating unparalleled, naturalistic water movement in a reef aquarium. Through its unique application of the resonance principle, it delivers a comprehensive, oscillating current that profoundly benefits every facet of a reef tank’s health. This device actively promotes optimal coral health and accelerated growth by effectively disrupting the diffusive boundary layer, ensuring comprehensive nutrient delivery, and facilitating efficient waste expulsion. It significantly enhances overall nutrient cycling and waste export by continuously keeping detritus suspended for efficient removal by filtration systems. Furthermore, the Wavebox cultivates a cleaner, more stable, and oxygen-rich environment by effectively eliminating stagnant “dead spots” and discouraging nuisance algae buildup.

Beyond its powerful biological advantages, the Tunze Wavebox 6208 is distinguished by its remarkable energy efficiency, operating at an average of just 10 Watts, and Tunze’s long-standing reputation for “bulletproof” reliability and low maintenance. This combination of high performance and operational economy makes it a sound long-term investment. For hobbyists seeking to transform their reef aquarium into a vibrant, dynamic, and truly thriving microcosm of the ocean, the Tunze Wavebox 6208 offers a scientifically grounded and highly effective path to witness the captivating beauty and natural behaviors of their aquatic inhabitants flourish.