Surface agitation vs oxygen

[-XENOMORPH-]

Hello!! I've read the hits I could about surface agitation and oxygen on this site and still can't find an answer. My question is simple... If I'm running a corner low where water drops and trickles AND. Goes to sump, filter sock,. Then they a skimmer on an open top sump.... WHY would I need surface agitation. ? The water and gas exchange happens twice from cornerflo and in open sump? Anybody have sum thoughts to share to this Noob!?!? Hahahhaha. Thanks!!!

 

[Crabs McJones]

Hello!! I've read the hits I could about surface agitation and oxygen on this site and still can't find an answer. My question is simple... If I'm running a corner low where water drops and trickles AND. Goes to sump, filter sock,. Then they a skimmer on an open top sump.... WHY would I need surface agitation. ? The water and gas exchange happens twice from cornerflo and in open sump? Anybody have sum thoughts to share to this Noob!?!? Hahahhaha. Thanks!!!

Great question. Following along for the answer as I am curious myself

 

[graffitireef]

Hello!! I've read the hits I could about surface agitation and oxygen on this site and still can't find an answer. My question is simple... If I'm running a corner low where water drops and trickles AND. Goes to sump, filter sock,. Then they a skimmer on an open top sump.... WHY would I need surface agitation. ? The water and gas exchange happens twice from cornerflo and in open sump? Anybody have sum thoughts to share to this Noob!?!? Hahahhaha. Thanks!!!

It helps prevent a "slick" from forming on the surface as well as providing the shimmer effect we all love to see in our aquariums if youre using MH or leds. It's not necessary if you have water going through an overflow and sump but it does help.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

In addition to the formation of an organic film on the water surface, aeration is way harder than most people think. If aeration was perfect, there would be no day to night pH change, and yet everyone has it due to CO2 accumulation at night.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

This has more:

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-08/eb/index.php

 

[-XENOMORPH-]

Thank you!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

You're welcome.

Happy Reefing.

 

[TJ Jiang]

You're welcome.

Happy Reefing.

Thank you so much for the Article, Randy! It appears to be that our powerheads are doing a very minimum job on oxygen exchange since our PH level changes drastically in the night due to the hypoxic environment.

I might think twice that not aiming the powerhead too much on the surface since it accelerates the evaporation of our water on the tank surface. Am I on the right track? Thanks again, Randy!

 

[Auquanut]

I'm thinking that surface agitation also helps with heat dissipation too doesn't it? It would make sense.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Thank you so much for the Article, Randy! It appears to be that our powerheads are doing a very minimum job on oxygen exchange since our PH level changes drastically in the night due to the hypoxic environment.

I might think twice that not aiming the powerhead too much on the surface since it accelerates the evaporation of our water on the tank surface. Am I on the right track? Thanks again, Randy!

Do you want to increase evaporation (some do, some don’t)?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I'm thinking that surface agitation also helps with heat dissipation too doesn't it? It would make sense.

yes, but that isn't always desirable. My tank needed substantial heating mist months of the year.

 

[TJ Jiang]

Do you want to increase evaporation (some do, some don’t)?

Thanks for replying Randy! I wanted to decrease the evaporation of my system thus I can minimize the salinity fluctuations, and I simply don't have to replenish my ATO reservoir that often.

But what would be the advantage of increased water evaporation? From my understanding, the evaporation is only taking out the pure water from the saltwater, and we simply just top-off freshwater to remain salinity in balance.

 

[GabeM]

Thanks for replying Randy! I wanted to decrease the evaporation of my system thus I can minimize the salinity fluctuations, and I simply don't have to replenish my ATO reservoir that often.

But what would be the advantage of increased water evaporation? From my understanding, the evaporation is only taking out the pure water from the saltwater, and we simply just top-off freshwater to remain salinity in balance.

The evaporation process assists in lowering the temperature of the tank, like a swamp cooler!

 

[TJ Jiang]

The evaporation process assists in lowering the temperature of the tank, like a swamp cooler!

Thanks, Gabe! That makes sense.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Thanks for replying Randy! I wanted to decrease the evaporation of my system thus I can minimize the salinity fluctuations, and I simply don't have to replenish my ATO reservoir that often.

But what would be the advantage of increased water evaporation? From my understanding, the evaporation is only taking out the pure water from the saltwater, and we simply just top-off freshwater to remain salinity in balance.

some folks use their evaporated water to deliver additives, like limewater (kalkwasser) and more evaporation means you can dose more.

it also cools the tank, which some folks need.

 

[TJ Jiang]

some folks use their evaporated water to deliver additives, like limewater (kalkwasser) and more evaporation means you can dose more.

it also cools the tank, which some folks need.

Thank you Randy! You can always learn sth new in this hobby every day! Haha

 

[DocRose]

I hate to necro-post but I figured I’d try here before starting a whole new thread. So does this mean that…

More surface agitation = more evaporation ?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I hate to necro-post but I figured I’d try here before starting a whole new thread. So does this mean that…

More surface agitation = more evaporation ?

I think that is mostly only true if the agitation is low enough that you get a surface film of organic matter that inhibits water transfer.

 

[((FORDTECH))]

I hate to necro-post but I figured I’d try here before starting a whole new thread. So does this mean that…

More surface agitation = more evaporation ?

I would say yes

 

[AirIck]

In addition to the formation of an organic film on the water surface, aeration is way harder than most people think. If aeration was perfect, there would be no day to night pH change, and yet everyone has it due to CO2 accumulation at night.

I think that is mostly only true if the agitation is low enough that you get a surface film of organic matter that inhibits water transfer.

I’m running my first ever HOB filter for a reef. I changed to an Aquamaxx filter that had a waterfall style overflow instead of the trickle that I had before. I also run a Nero 5 for flow but I can’t get it to the surface as close as I’d like because air bubbles form. My question: how do I know if I have enough surface agitation to prevent my fish from dying due to lack of oxygen?