The amount of oxygen that can be dissolved (saturated) in the water is dependent on the water temperature and salinity (salt in water) levels. Increasing temperatures and salinity will allow less oxygen to be saturated in the water.
The following table shows saturation levels at different temperatures.
Salinity is measured in
ppt and the dissolved oxygen content in
mg/l (
ppm).
˚C (˚F) 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35
18 (64.4) 9.45 9.17 8.90 8.64 8.38 8.14 7.90 7.66
20 (68.0) 9.08 8.81 8.56 8.31 8.06 7.83 7.60 7.38
22 (71.6) 8.73 8.48 8.23 8.00 7.77 7.54 7.33 7.12
24 (75.2) 8.40 8.16 7.93 7.71 7.49 7.28 7.07 6.87
26 (78.8) 8.09 7.87 7.65 7.44 7.23 7.
03 6.83 6.64
28 (82.4) 7.81 7.59 7.38 7.18 6.98 6.79 6.61 6.42
30 (86.0) 7.54 7.33 7.14 6.94 6.75 6.57 6.39 6.22
Please note that a salinity of 0 corresponds to a freshwater tank.
For example, a freshwater aquarium with a temperature of 75 ˚F can dissolve 8.4
ppm of oxygen. A saltwater tank with a temperature of 82.4 ˚F and a salinity of 15
ppt can dissolve 7.18 of oxygen.
The above levels show 100% saturation, the maximum possible. The average saturation in an aquarium is about 70%
The level of dissolved oxygen varies throughout the day, it is higher during the lighting period and has the lowest concentration in the early morning hours.
A dissolved oxygen content of 5-7
ppm is sufficient, first signs of stress will show if the content drops below 4
ppm, fatalities can be expected at 2
ppm.