Fishes can be found in various natural water bodies like ponds, lakes, rivers, and oceans. For fish to easily breathe and stay alive, they need water movement and circulation to oxygenate the water. Where a fish occupies an aquarium, the surface of the water is minimized. And so, to properly keep the water oxygenated, artificial ways of doing that needs to be employed.
If a fish is removed from its natural water body, an aquarium bubbler is needed. An aquarium bubbler gives bubbles to the water, aids water movement, and helps to oxygenate the aquarium water. Fish like bubbles. Bubbles are very important for the health of a fish. Bubbles are to a fish what oxygen is to a human. So, a fish needs oxygen to breathe and survive. Don’t deny your fish of bubbles to stay alive. But, ensure you don’t use your aquarium bubbler too much, so you don’t end up stressing your fish too much. Use it in moderation.
There are many things you need to know about your fish and oxygen. You should check it out below.
How to determine if your fish doesn’t have enough oxygen.
If you maintain your aquarium properly, you won’t have to bother about low oxygen.
There is no way you will get an alarm to take action when the amount of oxygen in your aquarium reduces. There are times, you will have to deal with the issue of a fish suffering from low energy. How do you identify a fish that is suffering from low energy? You will see the fish gasping at the surface of the water. You may also see your fish hanging out back by the filter output where you can find enough oxygen.
There are certain things you can do to provide your fish with enough energy when you observe this.
When you notice that it is not only one fish but many of your fishes that are gasping at the surface of your aquarium, then you should act fast before something fatal happens to your fishes. The fishes that are not gasping may be stronger and need low oxygen. If you don’t act fast, the low oxygen in the aquarium may affect their strength too.
When this happens, what should you do? Quickly carry out a 50 percent water change. Plus, put an additional filter or airstones to enhance water movement. With this in place, the oxygen level will increase and the movement of water will increase too.
What are the causes of low oxygen?
Many things cause low oxygen in an aquarium. Check out some of the causes of low oxygen and how you can handle them.
1. Too much waste
The more fishes you have in your aquarium, the more stress you have to go through in handling too much waste. Too much waste can block the filters where enough oxygen is found in the aquarium and it can also lead to rapid growth in algae. All these will contribute to lowering the level of oxygen in your aquarium. The bacteria that break down waste in the aquarium uses a lot of dissolved oxygen to do that.
To properly handle this issue of too much waste, wash your aquarium thoroughly and get rid of the excess waste. Always make sure you maintain the aquarium frequently to avoid the excessive accumulation of waste.
2. Poor lighting with live plants.
This doesn’t occur frequently but it is also part of the causes of low oxygen. When live plants enjoy good lighting, they breathe out carbon dioxide and breathe in oxygen. If your aquarium lacks proper lighting, all the live plants and algae will use the oxygen. Their continuous consumption of oxygen in the dark would affect the health of your fishes.
You can tackle this by increasing the lighting of your aquarium.
3. Increased water temperature
When the temperature of water increases, it will lower the oxygen level in the aquarium. You will need to carry out a partial water change with dechlorinated water at 65-70 degrees Fahrenheit.
To also tackle these issues, switch off the heaters and lights. You can also take off the cover of the aquarium but replace it with a screen so, your fishes don’t jump out. You can also use a fan to blow in the air into your aquarium to make the water in it colder. Just make sure you don’t exceed the normal temperature for your fishes.
4. Poor water movement
If the water in your aquarium becomes stable, it will lead to a reduction in the oxygen level of your aquarium.
To properly handle this issue, make sure your filter is in good condition. Filters increase the level of oxygen in the water. They also aid great water movement in your aquarium. Filters usually carry water from the lower part of your aquarium or tank to the surface, leading to a widespread of oxygenated water in your aquarium.
If your filters are blocked, try to clean them and if your filters are no longer working properly, try to replace them. Using any equipment that aids the easy movement of water from the bottom to the top in your aquarium, is very good for the health of your fishes.
5. Overcrowding
If your aquarium is over-populated with fishes, it can lower the level of oxygen in the water because too many fishes are competing for oxygen.
As the fishes in your aquarium multiply and occupy more than the stipulated density they should, then you need to act fast to increase the size of your aquarium or the take see fishes to another pond. This way, the oxygen level will increase.
6. Use of specific chemicals
Be careful about the kind of chemicals you use for medicating the fishes in your aquarium. Using some chemicals may lower the amount of oxygen in your aquarium. Always make sure any chemical you intend to use in your aquarium doesn’t lower the level of oxygen in it.
If you notice a reduction in the oxygen level in your aquarium after pouring a particular chemical, stop using that chemical immediately.
How to Test Aquarium Water Oxygen Levels
You need a handy dissolved oxygen meter to test the quantity of dissolved oxygen in your aquarium water. Put a probe in the aquarium water after adjusting the dissolved oxygen meter. After that, you check the digital display results. Usually, the results are displayed in the percentage level of dissolved oxygen in the aquarium water or the amount of oxygen that is contained in every liter of water.
The cost of dissolved oxygen meters is high for small aquarists. You must do thorough research on any dissolved oxygen meter you want to purchase so you don’t buy one that will give you fake results when you use it with other chemicals in the aquarium water.
You can also use a dissolved oxygen test kit to test for aquarium water oxygen levels. To conduct this test, put some drops of your aquarium water on the kit and compare the color of the chart to know the quantity of dissolved oxygen in your aquarium. Using this test kit is quite similar to conducting a colorimetric test in your aquarium. You can use your test kit to carry out plenty of tests.
Using a dissolved oxygen meter is more accurate than a test kit. But you need to ensure you maintain your dissolved oxygen meter so the results of your meter remain accurate. Ensure you calibrate it regularly and replace the batteries.
Signs Of Too Much Oxygen In A Fish Tank
Oxygen is very important for the health of your fishes. Oxygen in your aquarium water can reduce and also increase. Before water can reach saturation, it must have held a lot of oxygen in it. Once saturation is reached, oxygen can no longer get dissolved in the water.
You should know that your fishes can properly breathe in water that is well saturated with oxygen.
You only have issues when the aquarium water gets over-saturated with oxygen. This is a very uncommon issue in the aquarium environment.
Your fish tank can suffer over-saturation due to water pipes that got punctured or cavitating pumps that increase pressure. This will lead to too much oxygen being dissolved in aquarium water.
Your aquarium can also suffer from over-saturation because of repeated heating.
So, what happens when your fish breaths in over-oxygenated water from your fish tank? The oxygen leaches out of your fish’s bloodstream and goes ahead to form bubbles in its tissues. This is what causes gas bubble disease in fishes and it is not healthy for your fish in any way.
Gas bubbles can form in the fins, eyes, and gills of your fish. It can also form in your fish’s heart and this will eventually result in the death of your fish.
Do well to always check the oxygen level in your aquarium water, so you don’t put the lives of your fishes at risk.
Conclusion
Fishes like bubbles. Ensure you provide your fishes with the necessary oxygen it needs to stay alive. Always observe the fishes in your aquarium to make sure they are not being deprived of enough oxygen.
If you can follow the tips that were listed out earlier, your fishes will enjoy living in the aquarium you provide for them. Remember, your fish or fishes need your help to survive–don’t deprive them of it.