Marine Aquarium Air Pumps and Aeration

Marine Aquarium Air Pumps and Aeration

Aeration Concept: Aeration is the process by which the air is circulated through or is dissolved in a liquid. In case of a marine aquarium, the term is often used interchangeably with oxygenation, the process of adding oxygen to any system. This is because when air is circulated in a marine tank, it helps to diffuse oxygen in the water, which is essential for the survival of tank inhabitants.

Significance: All living beings breathe in oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide, which is dispelled into the atmosphere. For fishes, nature provides ample oxygen through the action of wind and waves on the water surface, due to which the dissolved carbon dioxide is dissipated and atmospheric oxygen is absorbed into the water. However, when marine creatures are confined within a small, enclosed space such as an aquarium, oxygen inside the water is depleted and the air becomes unhealthy. Measures need to be taken to allow for exchange of gases with the atmosphere. This is done through aeration, which simply means circulating air through water.

Advantages:

It ensures a steady supply of oxygen for the tank inhabitants.

It maintains an even temperature in all the areas of the tank.

It improves the internal circulation of the animals, giving the tank a livelier and healthier appearance.

It keeps live rock healthy and efficient in performing biological filtration.

Primitive Methods:

Stir the tank water with a spatula.

Pour the water back and forth from the tank to another vessel a few times.

Blow small bubbles into the tank with a straw.

Air Pump Meaning: An air pump is a device, which moves air from the surroundings into the tank. A variety of options is available in terms of size, capacity, and release of air, whether in gentle streams or vigorously.

Advantages:

Steady aeration ensures there is no loss of marine life due to the lack of oxygen.

It makes the aquarium display attractive by providing momentum to ornamental supplements and making them operational or simply generating a steady stream of bubbles, which is soothing to watch.

It ensures the uniformity of water temperature and does not allow any part of the tank to become stagnant.

Limitations:

Air pumps create noise and vibrations, which might be unsettling for the fish.

It is advisable to have only a few electrical devices in a marine aquarium, as these are prone to the salt induced corrosion and require high maintenance.

Conclusion: While aeration is essential for any aquarium, using an air pump for the same is not vital. It is subjective to the aquarist’s needs, financial considerations, and vision of how he/she envisages his/her aquarium to look.

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