Maintaining proper oxygen levels in an aquaponics system is important because oxygen is essential for the health and survival of the fish, and can also affect the growth and development of the plants. To control the oxygen levels in an aquaponics system, there are several methods that can be used, including using an air pump with an air stone, increasing water surface area, and maintaining water movement.
Air pump: One of the most effective ways to increase the oxygen levels in an aquaponics system is to use an air pump. An air pump is a device that pumps air into the water, increasing the level of dissolved oxygen in the system. Air pumps can be used to provide a steady supply of oxygen to the system, and are especially useful in systems with high fish densities or low oxygen levels.
If you have DWC system, an air pump and aeration is a must for your plants roots. Using air stones in your fishtank is also highly advisable. A smaller air pump running on battery backup is also very handy when your power goes out. Your plants may live for a few hours, but your fish will die in a short amount of time if the water stops flowing and the DO(dissolved oxygen) gets to low. If I can give you one tip it would be this: Use an air pump in your system, and have a spare pump to easily change out if it breaks, and connect it to an UPS to have battery backup if the power goes out, or use a 12v pump and larger battery with a large enough charger.
Increase surface area: Increasing the surface area of the water in an aquaponics system can also help to increase the oxygen levels. By increasing the surface area of the water, more oxygen can be dissolved into the water, improving the oxygen levels in the system. There are several ways to increase the surface area of the water in an aquaponics system, including using a fountain or waterfall that create additional surface area. The most oxygenated water found in nature is the water you find in a river with many small or larger waterfalls, it’s always full of air bubbles.
Maintain water movement: Maintaining water movement in an aquaponics system can also help to increase the oxygen levels. Water movement helps to dissolve oxygen into the water, and can also help to distribute the oxygen throughout the system. To maintain water movement in an aquaponics system, it is important to use a suitable water pump, and to ensure that the pump is functioning properly.
Adding pure oxygen: Adding pure oxygen is sometimes used in larger high density aquacultures, but it’s costly and in most cases much less convenient than using air pumps and some air stones.
In addition to using an oxygen pump, increasing surface area, and maintaining water movement, there are several other factors that can affect the oxygen levels in an aquaponics system, and it is important to consider these factors when managing the system. Some of these factors include:
- Fish type: Different fish types have different oxygen requirements, and it is important to consider the specific oxygen needs of the fish being raised in the aquaponics system. Some fish are more sensitive to low oxygen levels, while others are more tolerant. To optimize the use of oxygen in an aquaponics system, it is important to choose fish types that are suitable for the climate and environmental conditions of the area, and to provide the appropriate levels of oxygen for each type of fish.
- Water temperature: The temperature of the water in an aquaponics system can also affect the oxygen levels. As the water temperature increases, the oxygen levels in the water tend to decrease, and vice versa. To optimize the use of oxygen in an aquaponics system, it is important to monitor the water temperature regularly, and to maintain a suitable temperature range that allows enough oxygen to dissolve into the water.
- Plant growth rate: The growth rate of the plants in an aquaponics system can also affect the oxygen levels. Rapidly growing plants tend to consume more oxygen, which can lead to lower oxygen levels in the system. To optimize the use of oxygen in an aquaponics system, it is important to monitor the growth rate of the plants, and to make any necessary adjustments to the system to maintain proper oxygen levels.
Overall, there are several factors that can affect the oxygen levels in an aquaponics system, and it is important to consider these factors when managing the system. By using an air pump, increasing surface area, and maintaining water movement, and by considering the fish type, water temperature, and plant growth rate, it is possible to optimize the use of oxygen in the aquaponics system, and to promote the health and productivity of the fish and plants.
As a final word, conclusion if you will: You can’t put too much oxygen into the water as it will simply gas off, water can only hold so much oxygen. It’s always better to add more than you think you need, but your fish should not “boil” in bubbles either. Having a backup solution for power outages and a spare pump to replace a broken one is always a good idea. Using several smaller pumps also give greater security than one larger pump, if your one pump fails and you are gone for the weekend, you most likely have dead fish in your tank when you return. If you have at least 2 air pumps in your fishtank, your system still runs and your fish should be fine until you replace the broken one.