Tank Oxygenation

[PrettyFishies]

Is a skimmer enough to oxygenate a tank? or should I consider an airstone in the sump?

 

[Anemoneman]

A skimmer and the normal agitation found in a sump is more than enough. Most gas exchange occurs at the water surface. In a sump the surface is always new you are getting premium gas exchange. Are you experiencing a problem that you would attribute to low oxygen levels?

 

[PrettyFishies]

no...just being cautious. I get a bubble tip anemone and 2 clowns delivered tomorrow for my quarantine tank and I just am tying up lose ends like purchasing a RO/DI unit...

 

[scytzoh]

is it ever possible for to much oxygen? i got quit a few airstones ect cause it looks cool but is it poss to overdose?

 

[reefrunner69]

Do not mistake the bubbles for oxygenation, the gas exchange takes place when the bubbles break the surface. There are several reasons why airstones are ill advised for the tank itself, saltcreep, seaspray and micro bubbles just being a few.

To the original question...no, there is no such animal, once it reaches saturation, onxygenation does not take place, excess oxygen is simply released into the air.

 

[ReefRaff]

Is a skimmer enough to oxygenate a tank? or should I consider an airstone in the sump?

It was my understanding that the bubbles in the skimmer (being really fine) collect or attract DOC's to them selves, thus the O2 in the bubble doesn't actualy contact the water.

I kind of think of it this way. The DOC's act as insulation between the bubble and the water.

 

[scytzoh]

saltcreep seaspray what r these thing? im not familiar with these.... what r they diseases? or what?

 

[loganj]

When the bubbles from the airstone break the surface, there is a fine mist of water that kinda hovers there. The water, if you have a SW tank, contains salt. As the water dries up, on the lights, hood, side of tank, ect... , the salt stays. Soon, you have a crust of dried salt everywhere. Unattractive and a real pain to clean up. If it's a FW tank, you'll usually have some white deposits where the spray has dried up.
Logan J