Oxygen

[toebash17]

how do i know if i have enough oxygen in my tank and how can i get more if i need it. i have a 55 gallon tank freshwater wish and all my readings are ok. but i was just wondering so thanks

 

[teaker1s]

I run a fluval 405 so it agitates water slightly as filtered water is oxygen depleted and a fluval 203 spray bar to agitate one end of the tank. if your not growing plants as in my case thats how to do it orther than an air pump and air stone. if growing plants you want little surface disturbance so co2 levels don't drop and plants release oxygen at night

 

[freddyk]

If the fish don't have enough oxygen the fish will have trouble breathing and usually they end up at the top gasping. A power or air driven filter is almost always sufficient for the task.

 

[cujoho78]

Hi. As said above, if the fish aren't getting enough oxygen they will be gasping at the surface of the water. It is the surface agitation of the water that drives the carbon dioxide out and the oxygen in so your filter outlet should be positioned to disturb the water surface if possible. An air pump will help some as the bubbles float to the surface where they will disturb the water surface also. Another thing to remember is that warm water holds less oxygen than cold water. So if your tank is too hot, then there will be less oxygen in the water. So if your fish are happily swimming around then you can be assured that there is enough oxygen. Some fish will periodically go to the surface and grab a gulp of air... it is just something that they do.

 

[toebash17]

ok thanks. i mean my filter does disturb the top of the water. so the top of the water is always moving. i keep my tank at 76. they really dont go to the top that much. but they seem to be breathing hard. well maybe its just me. i dont know this is my first tank so. thanks for all the help. any suggestions would be nice thanks again