Aquarium aerator: what is it, its types and characteristics

Many people love fish and are happy to buy an aquarium for their breeding. Together with them, you should definitely purchase an aerator that will saturate the water with oxygen. The thing is that the aquarium is a limited space, closed with a lid, and the fish often begin to lack oxygen. Not even aquarium algae can save the day, which produce oxygen during the day by absorbing carbon dioxide. At night, aquatic plants, on the contrary, absorb oxygen and release carbon dioxide. This is how photosynthesis takes place. Because of this, at night, the fish begin to suffer from a lack of oxygen. The aerator is designed to solve this problem.

Aquarium aerator functions

This device performs the following functions:

• Enriches water with oxygen.
• Equalizes temperature.
• Creates a constant movement of water in the aquarium.
• Destroys the bacterial film formed on the surface of the water.
• Creates an imitation of the undercurrent, which is so necessary for some types of fish.

An ordinary aerator consists of a pump, a hose and a sprayer. Very small air bubbles that come out of the atomizer qualitatively saturate the water with oxygen. Therefore, a large number of small bubbles indicate that device works well.

Advantages of the aerator

• Functions for quickly turning on or off aeration, for this, open or close the faucet.
• Can be quickly completely turn off the aeration functions.
• The ability to change the direction of the flow of water and bubbles to any place in the aquarium at will.
• With a variety of nozzles, you can apply any type of spray – from the smallest bubbles to fountains of different capacities.
• Filter elements can be quickly installed, having different porosity.
• Simplicity of design.
• Durability with proper use.

Disadvantages of this unit

• It has large dimensions.
• It is considered an “outsider”, not a natural object, located in the aquarium.
• It is very common for the base of the air sampling tube to become clogged, which can cause the aeration functions to be disabled.
• Gradually the filter element is dirty, as a result, the air flow is weakened.

Types of aerators

Aeration of water is carried out by two types of devices:

• Filters. They drive water through a sponge. Those that have a diffuser suck in air from a special tube. It, in turn, mixes with water and enters the aquarium in the form of small bubbles.
• Air compressors supply air to the aquarium through a diffuser through air tubes.

These types of aerators should be considered in more detail.

Aerator filters

They are aerators with a filter medium. They are usually attached to the wall of the aquarium. To clean it, just remove the foam rubber, rinse and put it on again. These filters need to be cleaned or replaced regularly (filter agent), otherwise they will release harmful and toxic substances. All parts of such an aerator that come into contact with water must be waterproof and non-toxic.

Aerators-compressors

To aerate the water in the aquarium, to the air tubes, through which the air from the compressor enters, attach sprayers. They can be made from abrasive material or a white grindstone. These atomizers, lying on the bottom, begin to release a large stream of small air bubbles. It looks very beautiful, creating a magnificent background in combination with colorful fish.

The smaller the air bubbles, the more oxygenated the water. But for this, the compressor must have a lot of power, because the smallest bubbles are formed due to strong pressure. Bursting on the surface of the water, they contribute to the destruction of the film of dust and bacteria, which also improves water aeration. Besides, it is a very beautiful sight.

Rising, the bubbles mix warm water with colder water, thereby making the temperature uniform in the aquarium.

Ceramic atomizers are more efficient, but they also cost more. It is better to use tubular synthetic atomizers. They can create a long chain of bubbles, which increases the water circulation in the aquarium.

The compressor also contributes to the operation of the filters. They are have a built-in atomizer, an air tube is attached to it, through which air enters. Mixing with the water stream, there is a wonderful aeration.

Types of Compressors

There are two types of aquarium compressors: membrane and piston.

Membrane compressors supply air using special membranes. They only direct airflow in one direction. Such a compressor consumes very little electricity, but it is quite noisy. The main disadvantage of a membrane compressor is small power, but for home aquariums it is very good.

Reciprocating compressors push air out with a piston. Such aerators are expensive, but they are characterized by high performance and durability, and their noise level is lower than that of membrane compressors. These home aerators can be powered by mains and batteries.

Water aeration is best done at night, when carbon dioxide accumulates in large quantities. Choose an aerator with a minimum noise level in order to sleep peacefully all night.