What it is?
Aeration refers to the movement of water volume, due to which it is enriched with oxygen.
During this process, air currents pass through the water column, splitting into small gas bubbles . They are the suppliers of O2.
In nature, aeration occurs naturally - due to wind, underwater springs, and currents. This is not possible in a limited space. Here the main suppliers of O2 are plants and aeration equipment.
Aeration methods
Natural , which involves breeding plants and snails. The latter not only affect the amount of oxygen in the water, but are also a kind of indicator: if everything is normal, they live on rocks, if its content decreases, they crawl onto plants or the walls of the aquarium.
Artificial , in which aeration can be carried out using:
- air compressors;
- specialized pumps
Basic Rules
The O2 level in the aquarium is influenced by a number of factors:
Process start location .
Air and water connect at the very top of the tank. The aerating device initiates vortices and oscillatory movements due to bubbles - this is how mixing is carried out. Only the reason for O2 saturation is not the bubbles, but the degree of seething. And they only enhance the absorption of oxygen from the atmosphere.The larger the area of the water surface, the more active aeration occurs. Do not tightly cover the aquarium with a lid, which prevents the access of fresh air.
- Plant concentration . The denser the vegetation, the more oxygen deficiency develops. This is when there is insufficient lighting. Plants begin to take ozone from outside. Therefore, it is necessary to create a sufficient light regime.
- Depth. If the layers of water in a large aquarium are not regularly mixed, oxygen levels will decrease over time. Then forced aeration is mandatory.
- Temperature regime . The more the aquatic environment heats up, the less oxygen it contains. In warm weather, fish's metabolism accelerates, which causes the need for O2.
- Consistency. Ozonation should be carried out without interruption, even at night. Otherwise, the fish will begin to get sick and die.
How often to turn it on and for how many hours a day
As for the operating mode of aeration, in the case of a silent system, many aquarists leave it functioning around the clock. However, in most cases this is not practical. The optimal regime is considered to be: two hours of work and two hours of rest. It is also necessary to turn on the device immediately after feeding the aquarium inhabitants and at night. This will maximally enrich the water with oxygen and slow down the putrefactive processes that are caused by the breakdown of waste products of living organisms.
The operating time of the aerator in the aquarium will directly depend on the number of inhabitants in it. If there are a sufficient number of plants and a small number of fish, there is no need to turn on the mechanism around the clock.
Important! You can determine the operating time of the system yourself. To do this, turn off the aerator and observe the behavior of the fish. If they rise to the upper layers of the water and greedily grab air, then you need to turn on the device. Based on this, we can draw conclusions about the on/off mode of the aerator.
What happens?
There are 2 types of aquarium aeration:
- natural – the degree of O2 saturation is maintained by flora and fauna of natural origin;
- artificial - O2 supply is carried out by special aerating devices.
The second option is chosen if there is not enough vegetation and the aquarium inhabitants experience hypoxia. This is manifested by the fact that snails crawl from stones onto the glass of the tank or stick to plants, and fish float to the surface and begin to greedily swallow air.
How to maintain normal oxygen levels with:
For artificial aeration, you can use special equipment. It comes in different types, each with certain characteristics.
Pumps
This is a device that moves the water column due to increased air pressure . The movement of water under the influence of the pump will be much more active, and, therefore, oxygen enrichment will be more complete.
Typically, they have a built-in cleaning filter, and air is drawn in through an outlet pipe protruding above the water surface. Then it combines with water, and the output is bubbles.
Additionally, a current is formed and some fish do not like this. Therefore, you need to select a device with average power so as not to create a storm. It must have a capacity within 1/3 of the total displacement.
Several models for example:
Aquael Circulator 500 is a new generation pump for water circulation in fresh and marine aquariums.
Can aerate up to 150 liters. They work well even at great depths, where other devices cannot cope with their task. Convenient to use.The model has a regulating device at the outlet of the nozzle, which allows you to adjust the water pressure. Approximate cost 1400 rub.
- Atman AT-201, AT-2218, ViaAqua-170B – universal high-power pump. It stands out for its increased productivity, quiet operation, as well as the optimal combination of price and quality. Can be used without breakdowns for several years. The package includes an air injection head, so no additional compressor is required. Approximate cost 1000 rubles.
Oxidizers
An oxidizer is a container made of plastic, glass or ceramic, which has a stand filled with hydrogen peroxide and a catalyst. When they react with each other, they form oxygen.
High-quality devices do not require frequent refilling - 2-4 times a month. Oxidizers come in different types: for long-term transportation of fish, for large and small containers.
The most effective models:
Oxydator A – designed for servicing aquariums with a volume of 400 to 600 liters.
Without recharging it works up to 8 weeks at a temperature of 25-26 °C. One liter of peroxide solution is enough for a month. Approximate cost 4500 rub.- Oxydator Mini is a compact device.
The refill container holds about 20 ml of peroxide. Duration of operation without charging is from 2 to 4 weeks. This device is not a replacement for a compressor. The oxidizer can be used when transporting fish, since it does not depend on the network. Approximate cost 1400 rub.
Compressors
This is a device that captures air and transports it into the water column. As it passes through the atomizer, it turns into small bubbles. Compressors come in different power, performance and pumping levels. It must be placed above the water level.
The downside of such devices is their operating noise. But this is for cheap models - expensive ones are equipped with shock absorbers that partially dampen vibration.
Common models:
HOMEFISH 601 is a silent, single-channel compressor with a power of 2 W.
Can aerate from 40 to 250 liters of aquarium water. Its productivity is up to 90 l/hour. Warranty period – 1 year. The cost starts from 400 rubles.- Tetra APS 50 is a membrane-type compressor with a power of 2 W and a capacity of 50 liters/hour. Designed for aquariums from 10 to 60 liters. Powered by mains electricity. Approximate cost from 900 rubles.
Filter
Filters are needed not only to saturate the water with oxygen, but also to remove fish waste. Such devices operate on the following principle: air bubbles, passing through a thin pipe, draw water into the filter sector (located at the bottom), where it is cleaned of suspended particles.
This movement occurs due to the pump. The following filter components are used:
- sand,
- gravel,
- expanded clay
Filters are available for external and internal installation. According to the method of influence, they are divided into mechanical, biological and physico-chemical.
In the first case, water is captured by injected air bubbles, in the second, purification occurs due to beneficial bacteria, in the third, special substances are released into the water, which are then removed through absorption.
Recommended models:
Aquael Versamax 1 is a filter with a built-in pump, mounted externally on the wall of the aquarium.
It can purify water in three ways: mechanical, biological and chemical. Designed for marine aquariums with a volume of 20 to 100 liters. Has a capacity of up to 500 liters per hour. Weighs only 800 grams. The cost starts from 2000 rubles.- Filter AQUAEL Fan 2 plus – internal filter for mechanical cleaning. Suitable for aerating freshwater tanks with a capacity of 100-150 liters. Device productivity – 450 l/h, power – 5.2 W. The price starts from 1400 rubles.
Spray
Typically, nozzles are included with compressors. They are placed in the ground. The air entering the device from the outside is converted into bubbles and spreads around, creating turbulence. This way the water is saturated with oxygen.
You need to choose installations made of plastic with polyethylene air ducts. It is impossible for them to contain metal parts - they react with ozone.
Several quality devices:
Trixie Air Outlet Stone M is a regular sprayer from a German manufacturer. It has a coarse-grained structure. Its length is 15 cm. Price is from 102 rubles.- Barbus is an aquarium air sprayer in the form of a rubber hose.
To be effective, it is first immersed in water, then only connected to the compressor. Hose diameter is 1 cm, length varies (45-90 cm). Price - from 210 rub.
Pills
Due to such tablets, the level of O2 in water increases. They are suitable for transporting fish over long distances so that they do not experience a lack of oxygen. One capsule contains 30 mg.
Hydrogen peroxide
It serves as a catalyst. When in contact with water, peroxide releases oxygen. The product does not harm living aquarium inhabitants. On the contrary, it additionally carries a number of useful functions:
- capable of resuscitating suffocated fish;
- heals aquatic microflora;
- destroys harmful filamentous algae;
- treats bacterial infections affecting fish.
It is recommended to spray the peroxide solution through a syringe.
Natural Methods
Natural ozonation means adding snails to an aquarium .
In addition, plants are planted that can regulate the oxygen balance in the aqua world.
Do all aquariums need aquarium equipment?
As a result of diffusion in stagnant water, an oxygen molecule sinks 1 cm per hour. During the day, without stirring the water, the molecule will not reach the bottom of the aquarium, and, accordingly, will not provide the necessary oxygen content at the bottom of the aquarium, where aerobic microorganisms live. Therefore, fashionable ball aquariums with labyrinth fish, with possible overfeeding of the fish, are deprived of the necessary bacteria, there is no one to process the leftover food and excrement, the water parameters fluctuate, the fish weaken and die!
Such situations often occur among beginners who stubbornly believe that no equipment is needed in aquariums with labyrinth fish. Labyrinth fish breathe atmospheric oxygen, but bacteria do not.
How to help a “suffocated” fish?
To revive fish that have suffocated from lack of oxygen, use pharmaceutical hydrogen peroxide 3%.
If the tank volume is no more than 100 liters, you need to add 40 ml of peroxide.
As soon as bubbles appear on the walls, filter and directly on the fish, the water is partially replaced. If no effect is observed after 15 minutes, then it will no longer be possible to save the deceased .
