Oxygenating tablets...

[Nuttygal! :0)]

In my 10gal tank that has 3 black moors, I need some oxygen in it. They are all acting really odd and swimming at the top, and I know it's due to lack of oxygen. From one of my other tanks my red scats destroyed the leaves off of a plant so I put it in the moors' tank, but it hasn't quite grown back yet, but when it has, it will start giving off oxygen. Anyway, as I think an air stone and pump will be too strong for that tank, I was wondering if there was any such thing as oxygenating tablets. I am sure that I've heard of them somewhere before...

 

[Paul_MTS]

there sure is i think Supa makes them, come in about a tube of 10

 

[pica_nuttalli]

they make those? how much are they paul?

you can get a control valve to put in the airline and regulate the amount of air introduced by an airstone. you can have a quite gentle throughput with one of those.

 

[Paul_MTS]

they make those? how much are they paul?

yep we stock them at work, never really sell them though so don't know the price, it's probable about £3 though.

 

[CFC]

Yes there is such a thing as oxygenating tablets but they are not intended as a permament solution to low oxygen levels but as a quick temporary fix in times of need, i use them when bagging large fish to be moved if they are going to be in the bag for more than half a hour.

To sort out your problem i would suggest increasing surface agitation by either adding a airstone/pump or a small internal power filter with the return at the waters surface though the real problem lies with the type of fish and the size of the tank. Coldwater fish need more oxygen than tropicals and have much lower stocking limitations, really you need to upgrade the tank size to at least 30 gallons to permamently solve the problem.

 

[laboul]

What about adding some plants in the long run?

 

[Nuttygal! :0)]

How many should I add? I would add an air pump and reduce the flow but I don't have ANY spare plugs in my room! How many plants should I add?

 

[pica_nuttalli]

adding plants only increases oxygenation when the lights are on; plants actually use a trace amount of oxygen when they cannot carry out photosynthesis. the easiest way to increase oxygenation is to increase surface agitation.

you can get outlet adapters in most hardware stores that change a two-plug system into 4-6 outlets. these are as safe as extension cords. many also have built-in surge protectors. generally these are located near lightbulbs and always near extension cords and power-strips.

 

[laboul]

I am not sure how much they increase the oxygen, but I only bought two plants a few weeks ago and they've multiplied like crazy in my ten gallon. My nitrates were only 10ppm to begin with, they're down to 5ppm now. You can go find the "Proven Performers" in the planted tanks section of this forum to find out which plants do well with minimal care. SOme are java fern, java moss. I have Hygrophilia polyspermum and love it. If your tank is established, the plants will really eat up your nitrates and grow quickly. I tripled my plant volume in just a few weeks.

I have no idea how much they increase oxygen in comparison to an airstone, though. It's one or the other and I think the plants will be more expensive. But with the plants you get the added benefit of reducing your nitrates.

 

[laboul]

Pica Nuttali posted while I was writing... I wasn't ignoring his advice on the airstone, that probably is the best way to go in the short run.

 

[pica_nuttalli]

oh, for sure add plants! plants are a great way to maintain water quality, make you fish feel more at home, and just generally improve the appearance of your aquarium. but they aren't a great solution to low oxygen levels, especially if those levels are such that your fish are behaving oddly.

 

[Paul_MTS]

only some plants will reduce nitrates, hornwort springs to mind for 1 of them, but your fish are most likely to eat them.

move your filter outlet closer to the surface or get a small airstone, the 50p cylinder ones would do for short tern.

but like CFC said 10gallons isn't enough for these fish.

 

[ladyhawke]

Maybe this is a stupid question, but can you possibly get too much oxygen in a tank? And if so, what would be the signs? I also have a 10 gallon tank. I have a large airstone (like 4 inches in length stretched across the tank side farthest from the filter). I have a regulator and don't let it pump out too much air. Should I switch it for one of the small blue airstones or will it be ok?

 

[OohFeeshy]

About the tank being ovrestocked, isn't it you, Nuttygal!:0) who is putting them in a pond when it gets warmer? If not, ignore me, as I am a tree *blends into the background*

 

[Paul_MTS]

Too much air can be bad as it can make the gills less effective if they get clogged up with airbubbles and thus causing suffication.

Even if she does put the fish into a pond in the summer she will need to take them out again in the winter as I'm oretty sure fancy goldfish can't with stand the colder temperatures. Also if you have common goldfish in the pond aswell the black moors will most likely starve as they move slower and will be out competed for the food.