It is common knowledge that all animals need oxygen to survive. When culturing fish in a pond or in a pet fish tank, it is among the first requisite for the fishes to survive in captivity. In their natural habitat in the river, lake, or sea, the plants, phytoplankton, and the atmospheric oxygen diffusing on the surface of the water provide for the oxygen.
In captivity, particularly in an aquarium or tank, the typical source is an air pump that is usually connected to a filtration system. While it is still possible to put in plants as a source of air and food, balancing the micro-ecosystem is too hard for a novice. The artificial source is easier, but it is dangerous if the aquarium loses its source of oxygen. The fish won’t survive very long without oxygen and might die due to this. This usually happens when the filtration is either broken or the power source is gone. Chances are, if you do not have a spare battery for the air pump or a spare air pump, the fish is doomed. If this happens, it is recommended to do this manually until the spare one arrives.
How can you manually introduce air to sustain the oxygen level in the pet fish tank until an air pump is reinstalled? Here is what you can do:
A good knowledge about air pumps is important. It is important to acknowledge the fact that most air pumps are not very powerful especially the cheap ones. If this is the case, chances are the air won’t get far inside the tank. Before you buy or use one, it is suggested to test them to have a preview of what it will be like upon installation in the pet fish tank.
One recommended type of air pumps is the one that runs on AC, and then automatically switches to battery when a power outage occurs. This is particularly useful when a blackout happens and you are not at home.
In captivity, particularly in an aquarium or tank, the typical source is an air pump that is usually connected to a filtration system.