Oxygen requirements (1 Viewer)

[aqua-nut]

I'm cycling a second tank now, and I built a little ecosystem sump into the back of it.

The way I have it set up, there's not much water spilling over non-submerged bioballs to create air bubbles like I have going on in my larger tank's sump.

I will be adding calurpa tonight and continuing to watch the live rock grow algae and test it in a few weeks.

Can anyone in the know tell me without seeing my system if I will have issues with not having enough dissolved oxygen for the few fish and anenome I want to keep?

 

[Guest]

Take a cup of water from the tank and measure the pH. Drop in an airstone and aerate it for a few hours, then measure the pH again. If it rises noticeably, then you could use some more aeration.

 

[AggieBrandon]

Good idea mikester...Is this the cube you built? If so I think the caulerpa and the surface agitation/falling water will allow enough gas exchange for the fish to live.

Brandon

 

[Guest]

You could always put a airstone in the fuge or use a skimmer.

 

[aqua-nut]

Is this the cube you built? If so I think the caulerpa and the surface agitation/falling water will allow enough gas exchange for the fish to live. Brandon

Yup, it's the 18 inch cube tank with the 4x18x18 refugium.

I thought the calurpa would provide some oxygen or gas exchange... is this right?

The chamber containing the calurpa isn't huge though... I might need to add an airstone. I just didn't want to hassle with adding more stuff on it and especially the noise that an air compressor makes... the really quiet ones are stinking expensive!

 

[kris4647]

Aqua Nut keep in mind the majority of O2 exchange occurs at the water's surface. I doubt you have a problem, a power head with a attachment on the end to circulate water from middle or btm of the tank to top would help more than an airstone.

I'm sure the bubbles produced by an airstone might have some O2 xchange within the water coulmn, their primary job is to circulate water to the surface where your primary xchange occurs.

Correct me if I'm wrong Brandon I know you deal with many more fish systems than I do.

 

[AggieBrandon]

kris you are right...I have a 20 high setup with a large Siren intermedia
(lesser siren). I don't use any filter or air stone...I just rely on the surface area of the tank for gas exchange. I do however have a few Valisneria sp. plants in the tank to help.

Aqua-Nut, do you plan on using any powerheads in the tank for water movement? If you do maybe put an attachment on the end of one to send water upwards from the bottom or blowing from the upper section towards the bottom to keep from getting "dead" spots in the tank. How many fish and what type are you going to try to keep in the tank...since you said anemone I am guessing you may want some clowns. Since the tank is roughly 25 gallons I bet you will be fine with what you have.

Brandon

 

[fins]

aqua-nut is this a HOT refugium? If so how many gallons will it hold? I've been wanting to add one to my 55. But I would like a little more capacity than the CPR aquafuges have. Would love to see some pics when you get it up and running.

 

[AggieBrandon]

fins, If i remember correctly he built the tank with a partition in the back so the refugium is part of the main cube tank. Makes for a smoother design in my opinion...well looks better anyway. I bet if you contacted kevin (reefalot), he could build something for you out of acrylic.

Brandon

 

[fins]

Thanks Brandon,
I plan on doing that.