What is an aquarium oxygenator?
An aquarium aerator is a fairly simple accessory consisting of two devices:
Air pump: The air pump is placed outside the aquarium, and its mission is to pump air into the aquarium. The best ones have a system to regulate the air flow and adapt it to the size of the aquarium.
Diffuser or diffuser stone: What it does is to distribute in hundreds or thousands of bubbles the air that receives from the pump. It is usually installed at the bottom of the aquarium, under the substrate or inside decorative elements.
Why should I install an aquarium oxygenator?
It is no less true that the aquarium in a home or office undoubtedly draws the attention of those who visit us. It is not only beautiful, but also relaxing, and more so if the water is clean and crystal clear.
Dirty water not only looks aesthetically unpleasant, it also harms the life of the fish. Therefore, it is advisable to have an oxygenator for the fish tank, along with a good filter, thus improving the quality of life of our pets and providing a pleasant view of our extraordinary marine world.
Not only fish need oxygen to survive. There are other underwater entities that also need it, such as plants and other more insignificant, but just as necessary, such as bacteria. Oxygen reaches the water through plant photosynthesis, or from the surface, and when it is a fish tank or aquarium whose area is not considerable, the amount of oxygen is less. Therefore, the use of a compressor is the most feasible option to maintain the oxygen of the fish.
How does an aquarium aerator work?
The aerator delivers small bubbles into the water that generate a gaseous exchange when they reach the surface, thus benefiting the aquarium ecosystem. This way, the ripples that are generated break up the bacteria layers that settle on the surface allowing more oxygen to be absorbed.
Air pumps for fish tanks
Among all the fish tank aerators, there are many and you will definitely want a silent one for your and your fish’s comfort. There are silent air pumps on the market.
The EIHEM is a living example of this type of pump. It has 3 different models according to the dimensions of the fish tank, is silent and high performance, being our main recommendation in this article.
In general the air pumps, aerators and aquarium oxygenator, also have several classifications.
They can vary in size according to the oxygen demand. A large or deep aquarium, with many fish and accessories, will need a larger air pump, which supplies the necessary amount of oxygen.
Depending on their power source, air pumps can be battery or electric powered. It is worth remembering that there can be more than one aquarium oxygenator in a tank.
Depending on the depth, there are standard or deep water pumps. Standard pumps work well with small tanks, but if the tank is deeper than 40 or 50 centimeters, it is advisable to use a deep water pump to ensure that it has the capacity to push air down.
Therefore, it is always necessary to take into account the dimensions of the aquarium, and even the number of living creatures in it, before choosing a good air pump to meet the oxygen demand in the tank.
Oxygenator for home aquariums
The aquariums can be purchased in a store. However, one can be made at home for a better experience and for those who want to be more daring. Although it is elaborate, the satisfaction of doing it by hand can bring greater achievement, such as having a design and size to your liking, a better budget, and building the vision you really expect.
Below we will briefly explain how and what it takes to build your own aquarium:
- First of all you will need four glass or plastic panels with the dimensions of your preference.
- It is recommended that an expert cuts them to the exact size, so that they can be glued together with the silicone and there is no possibility of water leakage.
- Afterwards, clean the glass with acetone to remove any silicone residue. It is necessary to let it rest for at least 3 days so that it seals well before filling it with water.
- Once it is full, monitor for a few minutes if there is no water leakage. If there is a leak, empty the container again and reseal it when it is dry.
- Once it is ready, integrate its respective water filter, its oxygenator, gravel or sand, and the desired decorations.
- Add the amount of fish you like. Remember not to overcrowd the tank with respect to its size: learn to calculate the liters that your aquarium has.
As you can see making a home aquarium is not a difficult task, but it takes dedication and precision to guarantee a good job and ensure the survival of your fish. Don’t forget that the purpose of everything is to maintain an aquatic ecosystem that has all the necessary elements for your pets to live.