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How to secure an appropriate oxygen supply?

  • 24. jun. 2025

In fish farming, being attentive to oxygen levels and implementing oxygenation are important prerequisites for maintaining economic growth rates.  

Oxygen is one of the foremost important vital gasses for fish to thrive and needs to be present in farm water in appropriate quantities. A fish can regulate its oxygen requirement until the oxygen content in the water reaches a critical low point. In order to avoid suffocation of the fish during the shortage, the water must be additionally enriched with oxygen.  

 

Oxygen measurement 

Large fluctuations in the oxygen content of fish farming water have a negative impact on the well-being of the fish. In trout farming,  for instance, the recommendation is to keep the oxygen level at 100 % as it enters the pond, and that the oxygen content at the outflow should still measure 70 % for the needs of the trout to be adequately met. It is beneficial to use an oxygen measuring device that will record data over an extended period. Regular or continuous measurements make it possible to identify poor environmental conditions at an early stage, allowing to take the necessary countermeasures. 

Oxygenation 

At sub-optimal oxygen levels, experience shows that oxygenation of the production water is necessary to achieve optimal feed conversion rates.  It is rarely a feasible option to use an additional water supply to improve the oxygen level. Therefore, it is often necessary to implement technical solutions.   

Methods of oxygen enrichment 

The various methods of oxygen enrichment vary in terms of how effective they are and of their impact on other gases in the water. The maximum possible oxygen saturation offered varies from 70 % with a paddle-wheel surface aerator to several hundred percent with pressure systems and liquid oxygen. 

The different methods of oxygen enrichment vary in terms of how effective they are.

Introduction of liquid oxygen – example jet platform 

It is worth noting that the use of liquid oxygen is the only method that can achieve an oxygen saturation of over 100 %. It is also relevant to know that the water is not "refreshed" by the enrichment with liquid oxygen but is merely saturated with oxygen. All degassing should be completed prior to oxygenation. One method of oxygen enrichment using liquid oxygen is the jet platform. In a jet platform, water passes from a distribution chamber through a horizontal plate with specially designed nozzles, creating water jets. The jets travel through a chamber enriched with oxygen by means of liquid oxygen.

Since, the jets hit the surface of the water surface approx. 20 cm below the plate. The jets blow oxygen bubbles down into the water, creating a “fog of bubbles”. This ensures that the oxygen mixes well with the water, and here, in the dissolution zone, the oxygen dissolves into the water. An efficient jet platform requires a difference of height between the water surface in the distribution chamber and the water surface in the outflow of approx. 75 cm. This can often be achieved using natural gravity. If this is not possible, a relatively energy-efficient propeller pump may be installed. 

Picture: Jet platform (schematic cross-section). The jet platform is a method of oxygen enrichment using liquid oxygen. The use of liquid oxygen is the only oxygenation method that can achieve an oxygen saturation of over 100 %. 

 

 

Aeration columns 

Aeration columns, also known as cascade aerators, are often made up of bio-blocks or perforated plates, which bring the water into contact with the air over a large surface area.  The water is channelled by means of a pump or by using a natural gradient. The size of the cascade depends on the quantity of water involved. In principle, 1 bio-block serves a water quantity of approx. 12 – 15 l/sec.  It is necessary for the bio-blocks to be well ventilated. And, as with all systems, cleaning must be carried out on a regular basis to avoid blockages and the overgrowth of algae. 

Picture: Aeration column (schematic cross-section). An advantage of this system lies in the simultaneous partial removal of undesirable gases. 

One advantage of this system lies in the simultaneous partial removal of undesirable gases such as carbon dioxide, ammonia and nitrogen, and in spring water, some of the active carbonic acid can be removed. 

Airlift pump 

The principle of an airlift pump is that compressed air is blown through a system consisting of perforated tubes at a depth of 70-80 cm. This system introduces oxygen from the air into the water.  In many fish farms, these systems are installed as a permanent feature. It is likewise possible to use portable airlift pumps. The airlift can also increase the water circulation in the pond and lead to a partial "de-gasification" of the water. 

Airlift pump, design and application

Surface aerator 

Surface aerators are installed above the surface of the water. They use electrically operated "paddles/propellers" to aerate the water. 

The water is refreshed through contact with the air.  A maximum saturation of 70 % oxygen can be achieved with water temperatures up to approx. 15 °C. It is difficult to guarantee the necessary oxygen supply for economic feed conversion rates using a surface aerator. 

 BioFarm – BioMar’s Expert Advisory Team 

Many years of experience, a huge number of measurements, and reports from farmers who have introduced oxygenation equipment show that the costs of buying oxygen measuring devices and the time spent on supervision as well as an immediate response to water values are worthwhile and soon covered by the increased revenues from higher growth/better feed conversion rates and an increased vitality and health status of the fish. 

The cleaning and maintenance of any measuring and oxygenation equipment are important routine tasks as they ensure that the devices function correctly and economically.  BioMar’s technical advisory team, BioFarm, offers support in the management of oxygen and other fish farm management topics. Feel free to contact the BioFarm team member responsible for your area for further information. 

Visit BioFarm video on Oxygen Management 

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