How to Insure High Levels of Oxygen in an Aquarium

Many fish, including common types of fish, such as goldfish, require high levels of oxygen in their aquarium water in order to remain healthy. Oxygenation problems can occur in both marine or fresh water aquariums. Fish without enough oxygen can easily suffocate and die. Fortunately, there are several different ways the home aquarist can introduce more oxygen into aquarium water and maintain a higher overall level. Some of these steps may even have added benefits, such as adding decoration to the aquarium, or helping to keep the water clean at the same time aeration is taking place.

Things You'll Need

  • Large aquarium with wide surface area
  • Filtration system
  • Aeration system
  • Live plants
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Instructions

    • 1

      Maintain the largest aquarium you can. Large aquariums can help with high oxygen levels in two ways. First, the larger the aquarium, the more stable the water composition will remain, including the oxygen level. Although it may seem backward, larger aquariums are much easier to maintain than smaller ones. Second, larger aquariums often maintain higher oxygen levels because of the larger surface areas where the aquarium water meets the air. Therefore, it's best to choose an aquarium that has a very wide top surface area, as opposed to a bowl with a wide base and small surface opening.

    • 2

      Install a filtration system. This system should draw water from the bottom of the aquarium. The water should then pass through a filter that is not in the water, thus drawing in fresh oxygen, before it flows back into the main aquarium. Systems that do this, such as hang-on-back filters, can provide a lot of aeration, as well as water movement, which helps draw oxygen from the surface into the deeper aquarium water. Choose a filtration system that is designed for the specific aquarium size you have. This can also, obviously, help keep your aquarium water cleaner.

    • 3

      Install an aeration system. The simplest aeration system is an air stone, which attaches to a decoration or the wall of the aquarium. The air stone is attached to plastic tubing, which is in turn attached to an air pump. Turning the pump on forces air through the tubing and into the aquarium water through the air stone.

    • 4

      Add live plants to the aquarium. Live aquarium plants can often produce a lot of excess oxygen, which is then released into the aquarium water. Live plants can also be aesthetically pleasing in the aquarium.

    • 5

      Avoid overstocking the aquarium. Keep as few fish as possible in the largest area possible. This means that, not only will the fish be more comfortable, but there will be a larger supply of oxygen to go around.