Aquarium oxydator

Oxydator in the aquarium

Especially during the hot season a good oxygen supply in the shrimp aquarium is indispensable - but also crabs, shrimps, fish and snails like oxygen-rich, clean water. The higher the temperatures, the less oxygen can dissolve in the water, which can be very problematic especially for shrimp from very clean and oxygen-rich waters like bee shrimp or tiger shrimp.

Oxidizers produce pure oxygen

An aerator has the disadvantage that it brings unrest into the aquarium, expels CO2, which the plants urgently need for photosynthesis, and - if it is adjusted too strongly - swirls up substrate and mulm and can thus cloud the water even more. A Söchting oxidizer, on the other hand, produces pure oxygen that dissolves immediately in the water. This is done with the help of specially stabilized hydrogen peroxide (also called hydrogen superoxide, with the chemical formula H2O2), which is converted to activated oxygen with the help of one or more catalyst stones, depending on the size of the tank. The resulting oxygen pushes small amounts of hydrogen peroxide from the glass or plastic container into the base made of special ceramics. There, the hydrogen peroxide is also converted to activated oxygen. For this reason, homemade oxydators cannot work because they lack this foot and thus only release H2O2 into the water, where it is diluted to such an extent that it does nothing more.

The Ph-value is not affected in any way by oxydators, oxydators are also super suitable for use in Sulawesi tanks.

Oxydators against ammonium and nitrite

The oxydator can do much more than just ensure the oxygen supply of the animals. It produces molecular activated oxygen and water. Activated oxygen is distributed much better in the aquarium and therefore reaches even low-flow corners, where the bubbles produced by an aerator would not reach. It also diffuses well into the substrate and provides oxygen to the resident ammonium and nitrite-degrading bacteria, enabling them to do their work much more effectively.

Harmful substances in the aquarium are transformed

Furthermore, activated oxygen reacts with pollutants in the water. Hydrocarbons are dangerous to shrimp, and nitrite is also a problem for stream shrimp from clean, soft waters. The end products of this oxidation are comparatively harmless substances, namely nitrate, water and CO2. A too high nitrate content in the shrimp aquarium should be counteracted with regular water changes, good planting and possibly also with floating plants.

Extremely effective against algae and bacteria

Because activated oxygen also increases the oxidation capacity, i.e. the redox potential of the water, an oxydator is also extremely effective against algae, bacteria in the open water and other protozoa. Cloudy water is prevented, putrefaction is prevented and the risk of bacterial diseases and fungal infestation or spawning fungus of the invertebrates in the aquarium can be reduced.

With rising temperatures, the conversion of hydrogen peroxide to water and activated oxygen in the oxydator takes place more quickly. If the temperature rises by 8 °C each time, the amount of oxygen produced doubles -  which fits perfectly with the increased oxygen demand of the aquarium inhabitants at higher temperatures

Oxydators reduce the risk of bacterial diseases and spawning fungus of invertebrates.

Optimal for soft water aquariums

Especially for soft water aquariums with a pH in the acidic range, for example for bee shrimp, Taiwanese or bumblebee shrimp, the use of an oxydator is extremely useful, as it does not influence the pH value in any way. Of course, this also applies to tanks with Sulawesi shrimps or also with crayfish, where stone structures can create a lot of low-flow corners.

Oxydators are available in different sizes and the Oxydator solution is available in different concentrations of 3%, 6%, 19.9% (irritant) and 30% (corrosive, harmful). Thus, one can optimally adjust the oxygen production to the respective aquarium environment.