[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]

Re: O2



> My 1'st question: Have any of you
> experimented with the O2-level
> and noticed better growth with
> constantly (day and night) high
> levels of O2 (5 mg/L or higher)?

Yes.
O2 is a measure of productivity of plant/algae growth. More O2=more
plant/algae growth.

An interesting side note is that the O2 levels can get extremely high in
some eutrophic systems, killing off a great deal/creating large biomass that
the ecosystem cannot support, then crashing down and ending up with a very,
extremely low O2 level and lots of stinky water and bacteria.
But 300% beyond saturation have been recorded in a number of eutrophic
systems. Some higher. These are algal in nature.
Moderate levels within 70-150% seem good. I like 90% or better as a range.
 
> My 2'nd question: With a
> wet/dry I guess the O2-level
> is nice and high all the time?
> Have you made any tests to
> confirm this?

Well, it does not dip low at all.
So if you have night time low O2 dips(for whatever reasons, there may be
one, several or many) these help a great deal. They also are easy to
clean/maintain........far easier than any other filter.

One thing to keep in mind, O2 can off gas like CO2 if you add aeration etc.
Finding a nice balance between fish load, filter methods and plant O2
production can be a little bit elusive but not that hard.

High O2 drives the bacteria better also(allows better breakdown of waste),
helps the roots more. Cooler water holds more gas(CO2, O2 etc). Higher temps
favor faster bacterial and plant growth(most species).

High O2 production from the plants pumps more O2 into the gravel layer. Lots
of bacteria also live in that layer that depend on O2 to do their business.

Thinking about a plant as a O2 gas pump is not a bad concept. Keep it
pumping and things generally do quite well.

Regards, 
Tom Barr