Oxygen in water

[jamesonwhiskey]

I'm losing a lot of water to evaporation and have no way to install an auto-top off... Can I put the covers on my sump and tank and use an air stone or air pump to oxygenate the water??

 

[Jkedra]

For auto top off, all you actually need is a very small container, and some air tubing...I thought I couldnt have an ATO, but I was surprised how easy it was to make(no pumps, no power heads)

 

[jrobbins]

yes you can. truth is your skimmer and overflow probably provide enough oxygen. just make sure to run the skimmers air-intake tube so that it is in a place to pull in fresh air.

i would be more worried about heat issues if you cover everything up...

I'm losing a lot of water to evaporation and have no way to install an auto-top off... Can I put the covers on my sump and tank and use an air stone or air pump to oxygenate the water??

 

[albano]

For auto top off, all you actually need is a very small container, and some air tubing...I thought I couldnt have an ATO, but I was surprised how easy it was to make(no pumps, no power heads)

+1...I've used this and a modified version of this, for about 25 years!...never failed, or overfilled sump! The one additional thing I'd suggest, is an air valve to control the drip rate

 

[125reefer]

as kedra said i have been doing it like that for a year with a 2 gallon container.1 drip per 2 sec.i also put 2 teaspoons of kalk in the container

 

[Jkedra]

Right...I wouldnt be concerned about the oxygen if you have a skimmer. There is enough exchange of gas.

 

[Anthony.Luciano710]

or even an eshopps float valve to control the level.

+1...I've used this and a modified version of this, for about 25 years!...never failed, or overfilled sump! The one additional thing I'd suggest, is an air valve to control the drip rate

 

[NYreefNoob]

float valve takes up a whole 2" one of my best purchase's was a ato couldnt imagine not having one

 

[jamesonwhiskey]

I have a corner bow so there's no way to put a bucket to drip from above it but it's a good idea.

I made sure my skimmer intake is clear and yes there's plenty of bubbles coming in to aerate it. I was told by someone on here before that it's bad to keep your tank/sump/fuge sealed...

 

[125reefer]

all the container has to do is be higher then your sump.

 

[Imbarrie]

I don't think a skimmer would impart much dissolved O2 to water. They do disrupt the surface but as for air bubbles actually increasing the amount of dissolved oxygen more than a negligible amount, that goes against a lot of research I have read.
You also have to contend with the considerable amount of salt creep that will generate.
Covering the sump will increase the tank and reduce the effect of evaporative cooling which is essential in my tank in the summer.
Go with the auto topoff.



Sent from my iPhone using Reefs

 

[Alex]

Some reefers have skimmers rated for double their tank setups, The oxygen provided by some of these setups should be adequate. covering the tank and sump will only cause you tank temperature to increase, cause other problems.

 

[Imbarrie]

Air bubbles do not directly affect dissolved oxygen in the water.

The pressure imparted on the bubble by the water surrounding it effectively prevents any transfer or gas exchange thereby preventing oxygenation. That is why they stay bubbles and do not dissolve. Even micro-bubbles do not dissolve after passing through water columns of hundreds of feet.

Air bubbles do stir the surface of the water and any movement on the surface will increase oxygenation through diffusion. As long as the water is less oxygenated than the air above it. That is the only way a skimmer will increase DO2.

 

[jamesonwhiskey]

ok well i'm not completely sealed... i used to be but within a couple of days of opening up my coral started opening completely.

corner bow doesn't really give much room for a bucket anywhere... it was hard enough fitting the sump, skimmer and fuge in there. knowing this now i would have never gotten the corner bow it would be nice for a bigger sump...

this tank was an upgrade from my nano 12g less than a year ago but maybe time for another upgrade... hmmmm

 

[Imbarrie]

Macro algae will increase the O2 content. Have you though about adding some to your DT?
I love macros in my DT, especially the red ones.

 

[jamesonwhiskey]

Macro algae will increase the O2 content. Have you though about adding some to your DT?
I love macros in my DT, especially the red ones.

that's a great idea and will add some color. i looked at it a while ago but never got any... what are some good ones? any issue if fish start eating them?

 

[Anthony.Luciano710]

tangs will probably eat it but its good for them.

that's a great idea and will add some color. i looked at it a while ago but never got any... what are some good ones? any issue if fish start eating them?

 

[jamesonwhiskey]

no tangs in my tank, it's not really big enough

 

[Imbarrie]

Certain tangs eat certain macros.
My hippo does not eat dragons breathe but chows on red gracilaria.
Red grape calerpa and ulva is eaten in seconds in my tank to which are both cool looking.

 

[jamesonwhiskey]

the calpera has the chance of going sexual though right?

what would be a good fish/macro combination that i could add to my 54g tank?