O2 levels

[rppvt]

I've recently finished an interesting article on O2 levels by Eric Borneman titled: The Need to Breathe, Part 2: Experimental Tanks. His findings were/are fascinating and I appreciate his efforts to quantify O2 levels occurring under varying conditions; (you should read it if you can) But what I'm wondering about is the use of O2 emitters being used in Aquaculture and their abilities to split the molecular bonds of H2O into O2 and a small amount of H2. Basically a submerged electrolytic grid. Now, I know electricity and salt water aren't friends, but an electronically controllable method of elevating O2 levels to simulate the supersaturation levels in the open ocean (daytime) sounds very intriguing. ANYONE?

 

[Dan_P]

Nice article, thanks for pointing it out.

Electricity in saltwater is used to generate chlorine to sterilize water for aquaculture.

 

[bertoni]

I measured my tanks extensively for a group project. The tanks were always at saturation, and I saw no need to add more oxygen to the system. An oxygen emitter could be a bit dangerous if it got out of control, and adding hydrogen to the mix is just more fuel. I agree that electricity in saltwater would have additional hazards.

I don't think that supersaturation would be a good idea. That could lead to problems with animals, such as oxygen bubbles possibly forming in the circulatory system.

 

[rppvt]

Completely agree Mr. Bertoni, this is just a bunch of death and destruction waiting to happen, even if one were able to off-gas the micro-bubbles and monitor/control the levels, but the idea is still intriguing. As part of a general idea on elevating O2 parameters to match surf-zones, it might 'become a thing.' And I might win the lottery. Having never measured my tanks for O2, I looked at Borneman's results and noticed that he was largely never achieving full saturation, regardless of the methods. I've always been a fan of gas exchanges and surface area, but this ... oh well, thanks for your eyes on this!

 

[bertoni]

Surf zone aeration as a target is ambitious. I don't think that'd be easy to implement in a practical system.

My methods of measurement were less precise than his, so it's possible my tanks were only in the 90% or greater saturation range, but I think that seems to be fine in practice.

 

[rppvt]

90% is outstanding, nonetheless. This emitter thing came across on a hydroponics video (youtube) in case anybody wants to experiment on their entire system (pleasedontcallme). Thanks for the chat on this. I'm always trying crazy new things.
rp

 

[Vinny Kreyling]

There used to be a hobby test for O2.
It was a sealed vial you placed underwater @ the bottom of the tank & broke off the thin tip sucking in water.
They always read on the high side so I never worried anymore.

 

[bertoni]

Salifert might still sell their kit, if anyone is interested.

 

[disc1]

split the molecular bonds of H2O into O2 and a small amount of H2.

You mean double the amount of H2. You create twice the amount of H2 (by mole) as you do oxygen with electrolysis.

Be careful with electrolysis in your tank . In seawater it also creates chlorine.

 

[rppvt]

true that, disc1 ! my intellect inverted for a second there...