View Full Version : Oxygen in the water...
hitman12131976
05-10-2007, 1:04 PM
Is there any way to measure this so that I can make sure that I'm not overstocking my tank?
Is there a way that I can ensure that there is enough oxygen in the water?
Should I buy an air stone?
Put up the filter strength?
The fish that I have in my tank are in my sig and none of them have reached adult size yet. Most are about 1 inch at the most (except my bamboo shrimp, he's about 2 inches).
I don't want to put more fish in there if it's going to
deprive them of oxygen.
I've been wondering the same and about measurnig CO2 as well.
Q
hitman12131976
05-10-2007, 2:09 PM
I do know that the water changes help with the oxygen, but just wondering what else would help.
Tetra makes an O2 testing kit.
musho3210
05-10-2007, 3:33 PM
power heads, air pumps, more filters, plants, these are all helpers in oxygen.
phanmc
05-10-2007, 4:03 PM
If there is sufficient surface agitation then the O2 in the air will diffuse into the water. An airstone isn't very effective in diffusing O2 into the water by itself, but i does generate surface agitation when the air bubbles reach the water surface. Most HOB filters generate enough surface agitation so airstones are unnecessary.
hitman12131976
05-10-2007, 4:41 PM
If there is sufficient surface agitation then the O2 in the air will diffuse into the water. An airstone isn't very effective in diffusing O2 into the water by itself, but i does generate surface agitation when the air bubbles reach the water surface. Most HOB filters generate enough surface agitation so airstones are unnecessary.
So, air stones are more for "looks" than anything else? I've been pondering getting a round airstone to create that "volcano" look, but i didn't know if it would help out with oxygen.
phanmc
05-10-2007, 8:29 PM
Mostly for looks but I do use a battery operated airstone when the electricity's out and my filter isn't running.
Gotta write that one down... where did you pick that up?
Q
hitman12131976
05-11-2007, 3:02 AM
I've looked at my local LFS (Petco and PetSmart) and none of them carry the O2 test kits. Maybe ordering directly from Tetra.
EDIT: BTW, is a C02 test just for planted aquariums?
Sorry... I meant the battery operated air pump.
Q
gingerinaustin
05-11-2007, 7:15 AM
Hagen and Penn-Plax both make battery operated air pumps. Google it and a bunch of online retailers will pop up. Penn Plax even makes one (http://www.petdiscounters.com/c65/Auto-On-Battery-Pump-p3295.html?PETDISCO=r5lgihfvrc6714tjp68plvvno3) that plugs in and detects when the power goes out and starts up automatically.
As for the OPs original question, I have no idea, sorry.
jessicar613
05-11-2007, 8:00 AM
If you're just concerned about overstocking, there are plenty of other indicators w/out worrying about O2. Do you have some reason to think your oxygen is low?
hitman12131976
05-11-2007, 10:20 AM
No, I don't think the oxygen is low, but I would just like to make sure before I start to add more fish. I was just thinking ahead for the safety of the fish.
phanmc
05-11-2007, 12:58 PM
O2 should not be a concern when considering stocking levels. You should worry about nitrate and DOC (dissolved organic carbons) first, since high levels can be dangerous and will be dangerous before O2 becomes a concern. Since there isn't a convenient way to measure the DOC level we use nitrates as a test.
Your tank is close to a good stocking limit, I'd add a few more neons, cories, and ottos to flesh out the school, maybe add another molly and that's about it.
CO2 levels is only important for planted tanks, CO2 is a major component for the photosynthesis process so many planted tank owners are injecting CO2 into the water.
O2 should not be a concern when considering stocking levels.
O2 levels are a big concern. Many fish are sensitive to low levels of oxygen and will suffer/die as result.
phanmc
05-11-2007, 1:19 PM
O2 levels are a big concern. Many fish are sensitive to low levels of oxygen and will suffer/die as result.
Low O2 levels is easily remedied by increased surface agitation. If your O2 level is a concern in a tank with sufficient surface agitation, you have a much bigger problem.
Low O2 levels is easily remedied by increased surface agitation. If your O2 level is a concern in a tank with sufficient surface agitation, you have a much bigger problem.
There are other factors that lead to low O2 levels. Having surface agitation in your aquarium does not mean your levels are high or even acceptable.
phanmc
05-11-2007, 1:57 PM
What factors are you refering to and how would you go about improving the O2 levels?
Temperature, stocking level, live plants to name a few.
phanmc
05-11-2007, 3:57 PM
Unless your water temperature is in the high 80s and 90s, it can be addressed by surface agitation and water circulation.
Stocking level I already talked about, DOCs and nitrate levels would be a bigger concern before O2.
I did forget to mention that good water circulation is important to distribute the oxygen that diffuses from the water surface. Most HOBs that are rated for a tank size usually provides enough of that as well. If the circulation is insufficient a powerhead would solve that problem.
musho3210
05-11-2007, 7:10 PM
well a 60 degree tank with the same surface agiation as a 75 degrees tank, which will have more oxygen (60 degrees) H3D is correct in adding the temperature since the lower the temp, the more oxygen, this is how fish survive in lakes that have frozen over since the oxygen level is high enough to keep the fish alive until the ice melts.
nickmcmechan
05-12-2007, 2:11 AM
Well, if you want to overstock you need
1. hardy fish
2. daily pwcs
3. massively over the top filtration, look at what you need double it, then ad another one
Point 2 being the most important, who can you trust to do pwcs when your not around...away for the weekend, on vacation etc.
Then theres all the additional stress on the fish.....
Just buy a bigger tank!