zoezealand Posted September 28, 2005 Report Share Posted September 28, 2005 does anyone know how to make oxy shells (or oxygen shells)? My pet shop says they have a secret recipe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted September 28, 2005 Report Share Posted September 28, 2005 Why would you want to make them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cees Posted September 28, 2005 Report Share Posted September 28, 2005 what is an oxy shell ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted September 28, 2005 Report Share Posted September 28, 2005 Small shell shapes they sell in lfs that claim to release oxygen into the water. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zoezealand Posted September 28, 2005 Author Report Share Posted September 28, 2005 id like to make my own cause it is cheaper (and fun ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted September 29, 2005 Report Share Posted September 29, 2005 But why would you want to use them at all? :-? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zoezealand Posted September 29, 2005 Author Report Share Posted September 29, 2005 because i have several small tanks with different things in them (fish brine shrimp snails etc) and only one air pump which i rotate to the different tanks, but i thought having an oxy shell in each would give extra oxygen gradually into the water do you think this is a bad idea? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted September 29, 2005 Report Share Posted September 29, 2005 They don't really release oxygen into the water as far as I know. All they are is a lump of calcium carbonate or similar that raises the PH of the water. If you really want buy a couple more pumps, you can get them for cheap off trademe or buy a splitter and a bunch of airhose if they're close enough and run and airline to each tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HummingBird Posted September 29, 2005 Report Share Posted September 29, 2005 I agree entirely with Ira. Air pumps are dirt cheap and great for circulation as well as aeration. Check out what's on Trademe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zoezealand Posted September 29, 2005 Author Report Share Posted September 29, 2005 ok thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
debs01 Posted September 29, 2005 Report Share Posted September 29, 2005 so are you guys saying oxy shells are a bad idea, reid uses them and only them in her tank, would you advise her not too??? :-? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted September 29, 2005 Report Share Posted September 29, 2005 If she has a valid reason for using them, no I wouldn't advise to stop using them. They work just fine at keeping the PH up. If they're being used "Because they add oxygen to the water" Yes, I would advise to stop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klaymann Posted September 29, 2005 Report Share Posted September 29, 2005 oxy shells are a gimick for newbies who trust the LFS for advice ... in the long term would be better to upgrade to a larger twin outlet pump with gang valves to each seperate tank... 8) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
debs01 Posted September 29, 2005 Report Share Posted September 29, 2005 I use them too occasionaly because I thought they were a good idea if you didnt have air going into your tank, so thats wrong then????? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suphew Posted September 30, 2005 Report Share Posted September 30, 2005 Most oxygen gets in your tank because of the water surface area contact with air. The air pump only helps a little with this because a) a little extra surface area on the outside of each bubble b) because it makes the surface move. It doesn't actually put oxygen into the water. I don't know if oxygen stones work or not and I can't see why you would need them (assuming your tank isn't so over stocked that your fish are using all the oxygen, and if this was the case you would have far bigger problems than lack of oxygen), but anythick that does temperary changes to PH is asking for trouble, fish dont tend to like things changing esp quickly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beatrix Posted April 2, 2021 Report Share Posted April 2, 2021 I use an oxy shell in our large tank all the time because it helps to balance the ph level. It helps to keep my fish alive because I’m really bad at remembering to check the levels, until it’s too late! Yes we probably upgrade our pump, but that’s not possible at the moment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted April 4, 2021 Report Share Posted April 4, 2021 What is causing changes that requires calcium to alter the pH? Too late for what? Many fish are tolerant of a wide range of pH as they have been commercially bred so don't know what pH their species is supposed to live in. If you are breeding fish then pH can matter more. I must confess my 4ft tropical has been running for over 20 years now and I can't remember the past time I checked the pH. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted April 5, 2021 Report Share Posted April 5, 2021 Air pumps don't pump O2 into the water, they increase the surface area of the tank which allows for a better exchange of gasses. Water has a greater affinity for O2 than CO2 so airation drives off the CO2 and raises the pH. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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