In nature, plant leaves absorb carbon dioxide and produce O2 during photosynthesis. In bodies of water, plants produce oxygen for all creatures. But in a confined space it is important to provide the inhabitants with enough oxygen when there are a large number of fish and a small number of underwater plants. In these cases, aeration is used in the aquarium.
Purpose
An aquarium sprayer is used to supply air to an artificial reservoir, which is pumped by a compressor and supplied to the device through a hose under pressure. Through small holes in the nozzle it is released into the water in the form of bubbles.
Aeration is necessary to saturate the water with oxygen. Fish and other aquarium inhabitants often experience a lack of oxygen due to overcrowding. The accumulation of large amounts of aquatic waste in water, high water temperature, as well as the great depth of the reservoir, combined with a small surface area, reduce the ability of atmospheric oxygen to dissolve in water. Lack of oxygen and excessive accumulation of carbon dioxide lead to illness and death of aquarium inhabitants.
In addition, the air entering the reservoir from the compressor constantly mixes the water in the container. This helps to equalize the temperature and prevents stagnation of water, saturated with waste from the inhabitants of the aquarium, in any one part of the artificial reservoir. This ensures protection of aquatic organisms from temperature shock and poisoning by organic decay products.
On a note! Sometimes sprayers are used as a decorative element of an aquarium. Small air bubbles rising along the back wall can become a real decoration for an artificial pond.
Errors
Aeration maintains stable gas exchange of water and destroys films on the surface of the liquid. Therefore, a tank equipped with an aeration system will be a reliable and safe home for underwater inhabitants.
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Main advantages
The compressor, together with an air sprayer for an aquarium, performs a number of functions that no other type of equipment can cope with:
- saturation of water with oxygen;
- equalization of temperature by mixing layers of water;
- prevention of water stagnation and poisoning of aquatic organisms by accumulated waste products;
- creating a current necessary for some species of aquarium inhabitants;
- reduction of point water pressure on hydrobionts;
- giving a decorative appearance to an artificial reservoir.
Varieties
There are two types of aquarium sprayers on sale: those made from natural materials and artificial ones. The first ones are made from special porous stones that can allow air to pass through, breaking it into small bubbles. Stone products are environmentally friendly and do not spoil the natural design of the aquarium, but they have one drawback - the noise created during operation. Therefore, aquarists often opt for artificial atomizer options.
Artificial products can have different shapes and are made from various materials (rubber, plastic, etc.). Most often in aquariums, especially large ones, flexible sprayers made of soft rubber with many small holes are used. It is easy to give such products the desired shape and place them in the required place of an artificial reservoir - on the bottom, wall, along joints or decorative elements.
Other types of artificial sprays - disk, ring or in the form of decorations - are used less frequently. Disk products are a flat disk made of porous material, the entire surface area of which releases air bubbles. Ring versions differ from disk ones by the presence of a hole in the middle. Large diameter rings are convenient to place around decorations or plant pots, creating an unusual design using a curtain of air bubbles.
What types of air stones are there?
Air stones are sold in different shapes and sizes. Although all air stones are designed for the same purpose, some may be better suited to a certain type of aquarium. In other words, not all air stones are ideal for all types of aquariums. Here are the types of air stones you can choose from.
Silica
This type of air stones is the most common. They are available in various sizes from 2.5 to 30 cm. This type of air stones is mainly used in laboratories for research. Silica-based air stones contain no metals and are less expensive. Their only drawback is that they are not very durable.
Aluminium oxide
There is not much difference between silica and alumina stones in terms of performance. But when it comes to durability, aluminum oxide stones are the best option. These stones can withstand years of use and harsh cleaning. These stones are mainly used in industrial or large water bodies.
Aluminum oxide stones are not recommended for use in glass aquariums due to their rough surface. They can vibrate and scratch the glass, leading to cracks over time.
Criterias of choice
To choose the best aquarium sprayer, you need to determine what it will be used for. When choosing equipment you need to pay attention to the following points:
- Power. This indicator depends on the size and configuration of the product and is determined by the number of air bubbles emerging from a unit surface area of the device. Power shows how quickly the aquarium will be saturated with oxygen. For large containers, it is recommended to choose long and wide rectangular products.
- The noise made by the device during operation. This aspect is especially important when the aquarium is in the bedroom or nursery. The noise increases if there is no soil in the aquarium and the sprayer is located directly on the glass, or if the amount of soil under the product is insufficient.
- Possibility of disassembling the device for cleaning in case of contamination. Since the device is usually placed at the bottom of the reservoir, over time the holes in it become clogged with silt or soil particles. If the device cannot be disassembled and cleaned from the inside, it must be replaced with a new one.
- Hole size. Aquarium sprayers can have both large and small holes. When choosing a device, you should take into account that sprayers with small bubbles saturate the water with oxygen more effectively.
- Appearance. Pet stores offer a large selection of sprayers of all possible shapes and colors. Thanks to this, you can choose an option that suits any aquarium design.
How to make an aquarium sprayer with your own hands
Aquarium sprayers sold in stores are often expensive and have a short lifespan. Therefore, many aquarists prefer to make them themselves from available materials. To do this you will need the following materials and tools:
- small diameter rubber hose;
- tee;
- stationery knife;
- stand (you can use a kitchen board).
A piece of the required length is cut from the hose. A tee is inserted into one end of the hose and the other end of the hose is attached to it to form a ring. Holes are made in the hose using a utility knife or other sharp object. In this case, the largest number of holes should be in the part remote from the tee. Near the tee, the number of holes should be small, as should their diameter. This will allow air to flow evenly through the entire sprayer.
After a sufficient number of holes have been made, a compressor hose is connected to the free end of the tee and the device is placed in the aquarium. Having turned on the air supply, evaluate the power of the resulting device and, if necessary, add more holes.
DIY aeration
Pet stores sell a variety of devices that can purify the air. But there is an option to do aeration in the aquarium with your own hands.
To make a compressor for an aquarium with your own hands, you will have to purchase a power supply and a motor.
What you will need:
- Power unit.
- A small motor (for example, from a printer).
- Plastic cover.
- Candles.
- Rubber tube.
- Adapter.
- Balloon.
- A wooden stick (for example, from a lollipop).
- Hot glue stick.
- Several wooden blocks.
- Plywood.
- Wire.
- An elastic band (for example, from a bicycle inner tube or a ball).
How to make a compressor for aeration with your own hands:
- Cut the balloon in half with scissors.
- Take a plastic cover and drill 2 holes in it (3 and 6 mm) at the same distance. Sand rough edges.
- We cut out a horseshoe shape from elastic band. This will be the valve of the device. The valve is glued with its legs to the inside of the drilled cover. The wide part of the valve should cover the 3mm hole.
- We pull the cut out part of the ball onto the lid. The surface should be elastic, like a small drum. Glue with tape and trim off the excess parts of the ball.
- Cut out a small rectangle from plywood. It must be proportionate to the motor. Glue the motor to the plywood.
- Now let's make the base of the compressor. We take a piece of plywood and 2 bars. We glue the bars to the plywood in the form of legs and supports. We glue the prepared motor with plywood into the corner. At the bottom there is a connector for connecting the power supply.
- We shorten the stick; it should be no more than 8 mm wide. Using an awl, we pierce holes on the top and sides. Insert a piece of wire into the hole on the side. It turned out to be an eccentric. We install it on the motor shaft.
- Shorten the lollipop stick by 4 cm. Glue it to the candlestick. To attach it to the eccentric, drill a hole on the side of the stick and attach it. Attach the other end of the stick with glue to the center of the lid with the ball. Glue the cover onto the plywood.
- Cut a 6 mm hole in the lid with the ball. Fix the adapter into the hole and attach the rubber tube.
The aerator is ready for use.
Objectives and methods of aeration
Enrichment of the aquatic environment with oxygen is carried out in the following ways:
- Water filter with diffuser. The pump drives water through it, into which air enters. The resulting mixture enters the aquarium.
- Compressor. The tube forces air through the sprayer to the bottom of the container.
An aquarium aerator is used to mix the water layers. A sprayer located next to the heater will evenly distribute heat by creating circular flows of air bubbles. A large aquarium receives oxygen through the surface. As a result, the upper layers have a higher concentration of oxygen compared to the deeper ones. Air bubbles from the sprayer cause water to move from the bottom to the surface, reducing this difference. The aquarium aerator is placed above the water level so that when it is turned off, water does not leak out of the tank. The problem can be solved by installing a check valve.
Methods of water aeration
There are two types of water aeration.
Natural
This is growing plants or breeding snails. When plants grow, oxygen is released through photosynthesis.
Snails are an indicator of the amount of gas. When the liquid is depleted of oxygen, they are placed on the leaves of plants or on the walls of the aquarium. If the oxygen level is normal, the snails are placed on the bottom or rocks.
Artificial
This is the use of aeration equipment. Used: compressors and pumps.
Compressor
Compressors spray bubbles into the liquid, which enrich the liquid with O2. They must work in the aquarium continuously.
Is it possible to turn off the compressor?
Aquarium aeration devices must not be switched off. Many new aquarists turn off their water aeration compressors at night because these devices create a lot of noise. This is absolutely impossible to do.
At night, fish especially need aeration, because underwater plants stop releasing O2 and absorb it themselves. Aerating devices must operate continuously and continuously to saturate the water with oxygen.
Sprayers
Air nozzles are part of compressors. With the help of sprayers located in the ground of the aquarium, the air is distributed into bubbles that the compressor pumped from the outside of the aquarium. Air is supplied to the aquarium. Bubbles move layers of water. This helps saturate the liquid with oxygen.
Soil filter
Ground filters for aquariums perform a similar function to a compressor. Filters create currents. This promotes the movement of layers of water. The top layer of water, in contact with air, is saturated with oxygen and sinks to the bottom with the current. When purchasing and installing a ground filter, a compressor is not needed.
Specialized pumps
Water aeration pumps are equipped with a filter device and channels for supplying oxygen to the aquarium. It is purged with air much better than a compressor. The throughput of the pump should be at least one third of the volume of the aquarium.
Hoses and connectors
Hoses and connectors are an additional attribute to the compressor or pump. They are needed to move and rearrange devices. A hose and a sprayer are attached to distribute the bubbles over a larger area throughout the aquarium.
Aeration without electricity
Suitable for transporting fish in the absence of electricity.
Hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is a catalyst that, when released into water, breaks down into oxygen and water. It is completely harmless to underwater inhabitants. Peroxide is used to resuscitate suffocated fish and to destroy harmful algae on plants.
Oxygen tablets
Oxygen tablets are needed to quickly raise the oxygen level in the water. Another purpose is to transport fish in a short time. One oxygen tablet contains 30 mg of oxygen.
Oxidizers
Oxidizers work by adding hydrogen peroxide and a catalyst. A chemical reaction occurs, the result of which is the release of O2. They are used when transporting fish in conditions where there is no electricity or human intervention.
Manual compressor
Hand compressors are used when transporting fish for sale. Such compressors are powered without consuming electricity by pressing hands. The simplest manual compressor can be made from a rubber bladder from a bicycle or ball. Air is forced into the chamber and adjusted by pressing.
Ozonation
Ozonation is another type of aeration. Its peculiarity is that instead of air, ozone molecules enter the water. Ozone consists of O2, so ozonation is effective. Ozonation disinfects aquariums and eliminates turbidity. This is especially important before fish spawning. It is carried out only when there are no creatures in the water.
Oxygen in the aquarium
This is an important factor responsible for the normal functioning of living organisms. The oxygen content in water depends on the number of inhabitants, the size of the container, and temperature. Aquatic plants play an important role in maintaining the gas regime. A large aquarium with numerous plants and a small number of fish is able to provide itself with oxygen as a result of photosynthesis. But you shouldn’t neglect aeration in this case either. In a small reservoir there are no natural regulation mechanisms, as in nature, so it is necessary to maintain the gas balance artificially.
The aerator forces air through the water. The gas breaks up in the atomizer into small bubbles, which release oxygen upon contact with the liquid. The activity of the process depends on the compressor and can be adjusted.
Is aeration necessary in an aquarium?
There are no fish species that do not need oxygen in the aquarium. There are fish that breathe atmospheric air; they float to the top of the water and swallow it. But most inhabitants need O2.
An aquarium is a living world. It is home to not only human-settled pets in the form of fish and other aquatic organisms, but also aerobic bacteria that live in the soil and in plant thickets. These bacteria are not dangerous. They maintain biological balance. In an aquarium without aeration, the balance is disrupted and the inhabitants cannot exist normally.
In still water, the process of penetration of oxygen particles into the water column is very slow. Oxygen particles penetrate only 2 cm into the water per day. For fish in an aquarium, this is very little. Therefore, water must be independently enriched with O2. This is done using filters, compressors, and sprayers.
Is it necessary with plants?
The plants in the aquarium produce enough O2 to support a small number of fish. But for numerous settlements there must be a lot of plants. At night, plants also consume oxygen, leaving living inhabitants without valuable gas. The best solution would be to purchase aerating devices.
How to choose the right aerator for an aquarium
If you need an aerator for an aquarium, how to choose one causes certain difficulties for many. In this case, it is necessary to understand that an excess and at the same time a lack of oxygen has a negative effect on the inhabitants of the aquarium.
It is for this reason that the choice must be made based on several factors:
- dimensions of the aquarium;
- total number of inhabitants.
Some experts point out that with an abundance of numerous plants, it is possible to refuse to use an aerator. However, this is fundamentally wrong. This is largely due to the fact that at night, plants have the property of absorbing oxygen, which significantly worsens the conditions for comfortable living of the inhabitants.
Help : warm water requires more oxygen, which is why the aerator is an integral part, without which living creatures will simply die.
With an abundance of a wide range of products on the Russian market, an excellent option would be to consider the most popular models in more detail.
JBL PROSILENT A300
Diaphragm compressor made in Germany.
Main technical characteristics:
- external installation type;
- productivity indicator - 300 liters per hour;
- power – 3.9 W;
- designed for aquariums with a volume of 100 liters, when installed in a 400-liter aquarium it turns out to be ineffective;
- ability to adjust power;
- equipped with 2 air flow tubes - significantly improves the aeration of large containers;
- The noise level is no more than 38.5 dB, thanks to which we can talk about quiet operation.
Basic package includes:
- silicone hose 2 meters long;
- spherical spray;
- check valve
Warranty period is 4 years.
Main advantages:
- silent operation;
- long service life, which is confirmed by the warranty period;
- good basic equipment - there is no need to purchase additional accessories.
The disadvantages include the inability to regulate the flow. The average cost is 3 thousand rubles.
TETRA APS 300
Despite the fact that this is a German brand, production is located in China and Poland. A special feature is the constant flow of innovative products.
Models are equipped with:
Useful tips
And finally, a few recommendations.
It is better to place the air sprayer in the center of the aquarium for the purpose of the most measured air exchange. However, in large tanks it is advisable to install 2-3 units in different corners. In addition, it is better to install them near the heater to quickly mix the heating liquid with the total capacity of the aquarium.
It is better not to bury devices in the ground , since this is more likely to cause them to fail; however, for aesthetic purposes, you can bury them in the ground.
Of course, the pores on them close up faster, but this is a consumable that is not really a pity. So to speak, everything is for the sake of beauty.
Once the pores of the sprayer become clogged, it is extremely difficult to clean it. Here's some advice on how to clean it without any problems. You just need to put the sprayer in the bleach solution for 30-40 minutes - and there will be no trace of the brilliant green. Then, upon completion of the soaking operation, the device is thoroughly washed with pipeline water and put back into operation. Or removed as a backup option.
What affects oxygen concentration?
There are several factors that can significantly change the characteristics of a gaseous substance:
- Temperature. Warming water leads to a decrease in oxygen concentration. High temperature stimulates metabolism and gas exchange in the inhabitants. Intensive aeration of the water in the aquarium can solve this problem.
- Underwater plants. Their ability to oxygenate water is known to many. But do not forget that at night they themselves need this gas. In the dark, there is a fierce struggle for oxygen between all living creatures in the aquarium. You can solve the problem by turning on the aerator at night.
- Snails and bacteria. All living beings consume oxygen as a result of their vital activity, leaving behind a lot of organic matter. Its decomposition increases the shortage of valuable gas in water. To control the number of aerobic microorganisms, excess food should not settle to the bottom and excessive proliferation of snails should be prevented.
The intensity of oxygen saturation of the aquatic environment depends on the size of the air bubbles. Small ones give more oxygen to the water. For these purposes, wooden sprayers are used: it is better if they are made of linden. They give a uniform flow of tiny bubbles. Every 2 months, fake sprayers are changed due to clogged pores.
How do aquarium air stones work?
The water in the aquarium needs to circulate, and that's what an air stone does. When an air stone is attached to a pump on the outside of the tank, it begins to produce tiny bubbles.
Over the course of a few seconds, those tiny bubbles that are filled with oxygen will gradually fill the tank. The bubbles formed in the air stone not only fill the reservoir with oxygen, but also help the water circulate.
As the bubbles rise to the surface, the water near the substrate rises to the top. As this process continues to repeat, the water in the aquarium is circulated effectively.
Main functions
Without exception, all modern faucets contain a diffuser. In addition to significant water savings, the device is capable of:
- significantly improve the quality of the jet - the spray will not fly in different directions. Without it, the pressure is too high, and it is difficult to adjust it to your needs;
- saturate the water with oxygen and significantly reduce the concentration of active chlorine, which negatively affects the human body.
The aerator allows you to reduce the noise level when the mixer is operating.
Do I need an air stone?
If you are asking yourself this question, remember the example of a fresh wind and a stuffy room that we mentioned above. The answer is absolute: yes, it doesn't matter whether you have a filter in your aquarium or not, attaching an air stone greatly improves water circulation.
Installing an air stone will keep the water cleaner, provide more oxygen to the fish, and generally provide many health benefits to aquatic life. Also, an air stone is not very expensive and will not cause much damage to your budget.
Is oxygen really that useful?
The methods described above are used both separately and together. The main thing is that there is no oversaturation with air. If you properly balance the number of fish, plants and light, you can avoid many problems. Whereas if the balance is disturbed, aquatic inhabitants can suffer from gas embolism, which leads to death. But this is possible in extremely rare cases.
Researchers have established a standard for oxygen concentration in the aquarium even for fry: 5 mg/l or more. Pet supply stores sell specialized devices that measure oxygen in an aquarium in test mode. If there is an excess of oxygen, then you can reduce the number of algae and plants or, which is more reasonable and simpler, reduce the amount of light directed into the aquarium. And also, as an option, aquarists often use the following technique: drain water in small portions, and instead pour in fresh and clean water. This way the air flow is regulated.
Home……….Information……….Aquarium sprayer
The oxygen supply system for the aquarium includes a sprayer, which not only helps create a comfortable atmosphere for the inhabitants of the aquarium, but also, as a design element, enlivens the picture of the underwater world. Thanks to the use of a spray, the operation of the aquarium compressor is significantly improved, and the water is more quickly saturated with oxygen.
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Benefits of air stones in an aquarium
You can tell that the water in your aquarium is not circulating properly just by looking at its surface. If you notice that the surface of the water is still, you can be sure that the water is not circulating enough.
To better understand the benefits of an air stone, we need to first understand the benefits of water movement in an aquarium. Here are some of the benefits:
Helps in gas exchange
Imagine that the circulation of water in an aquarium is like a soft, cool breeze in a small, stuffy room. When water circulates well, dissolved gases are quickly exchanged. For example, water along with dissolved gases at the bottom of a tank remains unchanged when there is no movement of water.
In addition, fish and other organisms in the aquarium produce carbon dioxide, methane and nitrogen. These gases must be released into the atmosphere.
Moving water carries tiny bubbles of oxygen and transports these unwanted gases, carrying them to the surface of the water and releasing them into the atmosphere. In addition, the movement of water mixes different layers of water. This can be very beneficial for fish.
We know that the water at the bottom of an aquarium depletes over time, since fish primarily live on the bottom. Water that is low in oxygen is carried to the surface, and the water above, which is rich in oxygen, is circulated.
Physical activity.
In small environments, such as small aquariums, fish do not have enough space to actively swim and their movements are somewhat restricted.
However, with adequate water circulation, they get the required amount of physical activity needed for their growth and muscle development. The circulation of the water offers a little resistance and this can be very beneficial for the fish.
Better filtration.
As mentioned earlier, the movement of water helps in removing gases such as methane, nitrogen and sulfur into the atmosphere. As more oxygen is pumped into the aquarium, biological filtration becomes more effective because the movement of water prevents toxic waste from settling to the bottom.
Without proper water circulation, corals will accumulate toxins, metabolic waste, mucus, and other such organic waste. As a result, the reef's filtration becomes difficult and the water quickly becomes cloudy.
Now that we've learned all about water circulation, you may have already realized how important an air stone is. Let's find out more.
Advantages of sprayers
Advantages of the first two types of sprayers:
- affordable price;
- Suitable for almost any air pump, even low-power ones.
- they are easy to disguise.
Ceramic atomizers are more efficient, but are more expensive and are suitable for compressors that develop a pressure of at least 1000–1500 mm of water column. Their disadvantages include noise during operation.
Long Tubular Synthetic Atomizers:
- can be easily disguised (attached with suction cups to a smooth surface);
- have an air supply regulator on the hose;
- come in lengths from 20 to 60 cm, which allows you to choose a sprayer for a specific aquarium;
- a long wall of bubbles creates active water movement.
Almost all internal filters are equipped with a built-in sprayer, in which an air hose is attached to the filtered water outlet tube. With the help of this hose, atmospheric air is mixed into the water flow and complete aeration is obtained.
