Emeregency Oxygenation

[charlesb]

Hello, I live in the southern tip of Texas, a semi-tropical area where mollies and Rio Grande Perch ( Texas chiclids ) are easy to find.

Unfortunately, at 20 miles inland from the Gulf of Mexico, hurricanes are a problem, from time to time.

When we get a hurricane, of corse we lose power, sometimes for a week or more at a time.

Last time, we kept the fish alive with battery-powered air pumps designed for fishermen.

Recently, I read about oxygenating water for fish by using small amounts of hydrogen peroxide, the stuff that bubbles up if you put it on a scrape or a cut. Apparently it breaks down in water and oxygenates the water.

Here's the article:

Oxygen for minnows

Use Hydrogen-peroxide

Laboratory tests conducted by fish culturists in recent years have demonstrated that common household hydrogen-peroxide can be used safely to provide oxygen for small fish. Hydrogen-peroxide releases oxygen by decomposition when it is added to water.



In one test, 25 fry (2 cm long) were put into each of two one-quart bottles of water. Then, during a three-day period, 12 drops of hydrogen-peroxide were added to one bottle, and none to the other. The result: 100 % of the treated fry survived and 100 % of the untreated fry perished.



In another test, 50 fry were kept in a one-quart bottle and two drops of hydrogen-peroxide were added to the water every four hours. In three days, 86 % of the fry were still alive and well.


Researchers tested this idea in the hopes of using it to provide small hatchery fish with oxygen during transportation periods. Anglers who use live minnows for bait might also want to experiment with the idea. To be safe, start off by adding only very small amounts of hydrogen-peroxide to a minnow bucket. And remember that it takes about 600 drops of the size used by the researchers to make one fluid ounce. Also, keep in mind that water temperature is very important to minnow survival. Keep the water in a minnow bucket fresh and cool.

Can anybody tell me a good dosage/timetable per gallon for oxygenating a fish tank with hydrogen peroxide?

Hydrogen peroxide is cheaper than batteries, and stores better. In a pinch, it makes a great disinfectant too.

charlesb

 

[karin]

I would post this in the Tropical discussion section as it gets wider coverage than this section. Wish you luck on finding your answers.