Bait Tank Aeration or Livewell Oxygen Systems Compare Oxygenating Systems
OXYGEN SYSTEMS
OXYGEN SYSTEMS ARE NOT CREATED EQUALLY
Livewell Bait Tank Oxygen Generator Systems
Livewell Bait Tank Water Electrolysis Systems
Livewell Bait Tank Pressurized Oxygen-Injection Systems
Livewell Bait Tank Chemical Oxygen System
Livewell Bait Tank Liquid Oxygen System (LOX) Systems
Livewell Bait Tank Liquid Stabilized Oxygen Systems
Summary
Livewell Bait Tank Aeration Systems
Livewell Bait Tank Oxygen Systems
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Livewell Bait Tank Water Electrolysis Systems
Aqua Innovations Oxygenator™, an electrolysis device (electrolysis of water). This small battery operated electrical device breaks down water molecules into pure hydrogen gas, pure oxygen gas and hydroxyl ions. If the water contains any salt, chlorine gas is produced. It has no moving parts, makes no noise and requires maintenance with special equipment after each use. It produces some pure oxygen and twice as much pure hydrogen 1:2 ratio.
The little electrolyzer does produce a tiny amount of pure oxygen so technically it does qualify on paper as an "oxygen system." The big question is: Will it produce and maintain enough dissolved oxygen (100% DO saturation or greater) in a bass boat livewell containing a limit of tournament bass in July/August all day long to satisfy the biological oxygen demand (BOD).
The physiological impact of transporting live bait and tournament gamefish in water that is electrolyzed is unknown and of no concern.
Expect very limited oxygen production and low dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations because this unit is controlled and cycled on and off strictly by livewell water temperature, NOT by biological oxygen demand. You cannot control the dose of oxygen delivered nor the livewell DO concentration with this device.
A water temperature sensor (thermometer) cycles the unit on and off, how much oxygen that's produce is strictly bases on livewell water temperature. The biological oxygen demand is not a consideration for oxygen production. You can not make any adjustments changing the amount of oxygen the unit produces and delivers which is a very limiting factor.
O2 saturation rate: greater than 80% dissolved oxygen in 20 minutes or less [with no bait or fish in the livewell]. Add bait or a fish in the livewell and the dissolve oxygen saturation drops precipitously. Bait and fish consume oxygen, more fish require more oxygen. A mechanical aerator may be more efficient if the oxygen generator fails to deliver enough oxygen; oxygenation problems with mechanical aeration in the summer is known well... results are dead, dieing fish and sloppy red-nose bait.
Aqua Innovations Oxygenator™ is not dose adjustable regardless of the biological oxygen demand (BOD) and stocking density in your livewell. These units require electricity, 2 AA batteries or 12 volt DC current, some units require daily maintenance after each use, new units are advertised maintenance free.
Note that hydrogen does combine with other elements (metabolic waste) to form very noxious and toxic hydrogen sulfide that becomes corrosive when exposed to salt, (hydrogen chloride).
Electrolyzing water containing salt is the standard industrial method for commercially producing pure hydrogen, an explosive fuel gas and the by-products oxygen gas, a potent oxidizer and chlorine gas, also an explosive gas that is toxic to tournament fish, live bait and people. Chlorine gas bubbles are a greenish-yellow color and produced around the emitter.
Electrolyzing salt water or water containing bait saver and fish saver chemicals that contain salt will produces chlorine gas that can injure and kill Catch & Release tournament gamefish and live bait.
They are not clear bubbles seen with air, oxygen, hydrogen, carbon dioxide or helium gas. It is essential that you KNOW beyond any doubt whether a livewell chemical or additive contains salt compounds if you choose to use the Oxygenator™. Most livewell chemicals do contain salt that regulates osmoregulation.
If any livewell chemical manufacture refuses to provide a complete list of ingredients of their product for you upon direct request and you are unsure if the product contains any salt compounds, DO NOT USE THE PRODUCT with electrolysis. All fish saver and bait saver livewell chemicals contain salt.
If ever in doubt if a livewell chemical contains salt, taste it/ It's easy to determine if the livewell chemical contains any salt. CAUTION: Many livewell chemical manufacturers claim their fish saver livewell chemicals consist of "food grade" ingredients and may me used on food fish although many of these products are clearly not FDA approved for use on food fish and should never be used on food fish. Tournament catch and release gamefish are food fish for many fishermen.
The Oxygenator™ instructions boldly state:
DO NOT USE THIS DEVICE IN SALTWATER LIVEWELLS OR BAIT TANKS and DO NOT USE SALT OR ANY LIVEWELL CHEMICALS or LIVEWELL WATER CONDITIONERS THAT CONTAIN SALT.
Caution: The gas space between a closed livewell lid and the water surface can become enriched (24% oxygen) with oxygen, pure hydrogen gas (a fuel gas like acetylene and propane) and pure chlorine gas (an explosive gas) if the water contains any salt or livewell products that contain salt. Incorporate a potential ignition source (wires with live electricity to run the unit) in the livewell, and a potential fire and explosion hazard may exist.
Aqua Innovations Oxygenator™ sales literature claims that this unit will generate up to 80% DO saturation in 20 minutes in freshwater livewells that contain no fish or bait. Just what does that mean? Any good mechanical aerator, Mr. Bubbles or livewell water pump can generate 80% dissolved oxygen concentrations with air, with no fish in the livewell in less than 2 minutes. Cost $50.00 - $325.00
Livewell Bait Tank Oxygen Generator (PSA) Systems
FishO2™ is a PSA (pressure swing absorption) oxygen generator. It is very similar to PSA medical oxygen generators sold and leased by Durable Medical Equipment companies and Home Health Agencies. This noisy little unit will produce some oxygen too. The dose, volume and concentration of oxygen you may need is NOT adjustable, you have no choice here. The machine is either off or on as long as your battery lasts.
Hot gases: PSA generators entrain ambient air at ambient air temperatures. Air temperature can exceed 100 F. in the summer. Inside the unit ambient gas temperature is elevated even higher because the electric motor/air compressor inside the sealed housing runs continuously producing mechanical heat. Because the gas delivered to livewell water is hotter than ambient air temperature, expect your livewell water to be really HOT, always hotter than air temperature.
An encased 12 volt electrical air compressor/motor pumps room air through canisters of packed hygroscopic (the tendency of a material to absorb water and having the characteristic of drawing moisture from the atmosphere) Zeolite sieve beads. New and dry Zeolite beads can filter out some nitrogen and deliver near 87% oxygen in limited small volumes only when the unit is brand new. PSA generators deliver various concentrations of mixed gases; they do not deliver pure oxygen. When Zeolite sieve becomes saturated with water vapor, delivery oxygen concentration falls precipitously, sieve beds stop-up, gas flow occludes and maintenance is required. Zeolite canisters must be replaced or the Zeolite must be taken out of the canister and regenerated.
The volume and concentration of oxygen delivered to the livewell is limited and cannot be controlled by the fisherman.
Molecular filtering efficiency and outlet oxygen concentrations degrade rapidly when used on boats, specifically when used in warm high relative humidity environments.
FishO2™ does not come with an air dryer on the inlet side of the air compressor which is a problem when used on the water. Inline air dryers eliminate relative humidity problems and extend the live span of sieve beads hundreds of hours. Air dryers reduce incidents of catastrophic system failure.
Factory maintenance is required when FishO2™ is not working properly. Expensive testing and diagnostic equipment is commonplace at the factory.
Fishermen do not need expensive oxygen testing equipment to know if there is a problem. The bait or mature tournament fish in the livewell “speak in terms of behavior” to the fisherman. When water quality is great, bait should behave like guppies in your 10 gallon square aquarium. Whenever the dissolved oxygen concentration is insufficient and unsafe, the bait behaves like it’s in an aerated livewell or bait tank at 2 PM in August… red-nosed, sloppy, dying and dead. Watch your bait or tournament gamefish in the livewell. Bait and fish will behave exactly like they did in summer in your aerated livewell: sickly, red-nose, red belly, dying and dead when the generator is not operating correctly and the bait tank occupants are not getting enough oxygen.
This PSA generator has a very low outlet pressure which can be problematic when used with huge bubble air stones and small-bore oxygen tubing and will not work at all with small bubble stones. Air stones are ineffective because of insufficient delivery pressure.
Be aware of this problem when using any PSA oxygen generator that delivers O2 concentrations less than 100% pure (like 90% oxygen. 10% air/nitrogen). Entraining PSA generated mixed gases through a livewell water pump venturi device will result in nitrogen supersaturation. Nitrogen pressurized (greater than barometric pressures) through a venturi device can cause a very serious fish health problem . If your livewell goal is to improving fish health and survival in your summer livewell water... nitrogen gas supersaturation is the cause of tissue emphysema, gas bubble disease, bends, additional livewell stress must be expected with PSA oxygen generators when the PSA generator gas is delivered into livewell water with water pump/venturi devices.
FishO2™ PSA generators have many small delicate moving parts: valves, switches, constant noise, constant heat and constant vibration. The air compressor motor runs continuously, the compressor motor does not cycle on and off.
PSA generators have internal switching valves that dump nitrogen and deliver oxygen intermittently to different internal canisters. When working correctly, it may sound like the generator is turning on and off and may give you a false impression of conserving electricity between cycles.
Nitrogen is filtered from the air, dumped and returned to the atmosphere; oxygen is conserved in a small internal gas reservoir then pumped to the livewell at very, very low pressures. Giant pore air stones or venturi devises are recommended by the manufacturer because of the low PSA generator outlet pressure and the fisherman inability to adjust the generators gas flow.
Just because FishO2™ is a low pressure oxygen system, oxygen (gas) safety is often discounted as menial and not important, or worse, oxygen safety is never mentioned. Oxygen enrichment is oxygen enrichment, there are safety issues that must be considered. Whether the oxygen inside the oxygen tube comes from a PSA generator, compressed gas cylinder or liquid oxygen cylinder, the “Rules of the Oxygen Road” apply. Some sales people recommend entraining PSA generated oxygen into the intake side of a submersible livewell pump located inside the livewell.
However, Rule, Inc. Attwell, Dannco Pumps and other livewell pump manufacturers strongly DO NOT recommend entraining oxygen enriched gas through venturi devices located up stream or directly into their pumps impellers. Their pumps are certified for use in fuel/air environments like boat bilges.
Not one of these water pumps manufacturers certify or recommend any of their bilge and livewell pumps for safe use in [pure] oxygen enriched environments.
When PSA generators are used in high relative humidity environments, electrical switches, pneumatic valves and clogged sieve beads are problematic and require maintenance, especially when used in high humidity saltwater environments.
Expect excessive noise, vibration, additional livewell heat, limited oxygen delivery volumes and concentrations, low gas delivery pressures, low variable gas flows and always the potential for catastrophic internal electrical failure is high. Expect additional livewell problems to worry about.
Always ask the salesman about the all the hidden cost of PSA generators including required maintenance, repair and return shipping. This unit must be returned to T-H Marine for all maintenance, repair and adjustments. Before you purchase a PSA oxygen generator find out how much it will cost you to replace or rebuild the air compressor, electrical switch or to replace Zeolite sieve beds. This unit cannot be repaired on the boat. If you open the unit housing your warranty is VOID. Cost $750.00
Livewell Bait Tank Pressurized Oxygen-Injection Systems
The Oxygen Edge™ is the original live bait supercharger. It is always dependable. The business has operated continuously since 1993 specializing in small efficient portable livewell oxygen-injection systems used by sport fishermen, commercial fishermen and the tropical fish transport industry. Customer service is exemplary and ongoing.
The Edge delivers the precise dose of pure 100% oxygen continuously during transports. It offers a wide range of doses that may be increased or decreased as your bait or tournament fish load increases or decreases.
An adjustable turn on and forget oxygen-injection system adapting to all saltwater and freshwater livewells and bait tanks will safely satisfy all biological oxygen demand (BOD) in your livewell. It’s engineered and designed to deliver and maintain a supercharging dose of oxygen to live bait and prevents any chance of livewell hypoxia in the summer for Catch & Release tournament fish and live bait under the harshest summer conditions. Use in a closed livewell system for best results.
You may use the same compressed oxygen that your state and federal fish hatcheries use to transport live fish and baitfish. Inexpensive compressed welding oxygen is delivered with a special designed brass regulator that is safe, nickel plated internally and externally and CGA E-4 Ignition Test Certified, a major safety issue.
The unit makes no noise and has no moving parts that insure dependability with minimal maintenance. The delivered dose of oxygen is adjustable and variable depending on the job (BOD).
The correct dose of oxygen needed and delivered is based solely on the total biological oxygen demand in the livewell. The correct dose of pure oxygen you need is 100% dependent upon the weight of the total biomass. With this unit, you are in total control of the dose of oxygen delivered to the livewell. Control of the oxygen is essential for any live bait or gamefish transport.
Customer support (state of the art fish care practices) is exemplary. Cylinder refills cost $0.15 and the system operates continuously 47–189 hours, consistently, dependably and quietly. Cost $394.50
Livewell Bait Tank Chemical Oxygen Systems
Pemble-Halverson, Inc. makes O-Tabs (oxygen tablets), a chemical composition of strontium peroxide, calcium monophophate, calcium sulfate, and manganese dioxide, no moving parts or noise here and a limited amount of pure oxygen is produced. The O-TAB business has run continually since 1939.
The small dose of oxygen delivered is limited and cannot be adjusted when the livewell biological oxygen demand changes.
These chemicals react with water releasing a limited amount of pure oxygen, 10% carbon dioxide and hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen Peroxide combined with water produces oxygen concentrations greater than air.
Carbon dioxide dissolves in water producing carbonic acid and the pH falls compromising livewell water quality, acid livewell water. Hydrogen peroxide can burn gills, eyes and skin compromising fish health and increasing mortality. O-Tabs make no noise or vibration. Cost $1.50 per tablet
Livewell Bait Tank Liquid Oxygen System (LOX) Systems
Cold liquid oxygen (-273 F.) systems are commonly used by large commercial fish farmers, state and federal hatcheries to haul millions of live fish across the country and around the world.
The dose of oxygen delivered can be adjusted. LOX is used extensively to transport live fish in closed recirculating and non-recirculating livewells and live haul tanks. Cold liquid oxygen is warmed, converted to a gas and finally dissolved in water at various concentrations and locations. Liquid systems are expensive to set up. They are dependable and quiet. The cost of oxygen (operation and maintenance) is minimal. Cost $2,000.00
Livewell Bait Tank Liquid Stabilized Oxygen Systems
Liquid stabilized oxygen (room temperature) is a food supplement that may be purchased at health food stores and used in livewell water. The concentration of dissolved oxygen delivered may vary considerably depending upon the initial DO concentration, the shelf life and the material the container is made of, plastic or glass. How the container is sealed is critical as oxygen can leach through and react to many types of plastic bottle materials. Cost $40.00 per quart
Livewell Bait Tank Aeration Systems
Air is not oxygen. Although the two gases look, taste, smell the same and make clear bubbles in livewell water. The gases are “life and death” different in summer livewells and bait tanks for live bait fish and tournament gamefish being transported in livewells, bait tanks, tournament holding tanks and live release boat tanks.
The universal treatment of choice to correct and or prevent hypoxia and related anaerobic metabolism (low blood oxygen concentration) for live fish transport is pure 100% oxygen administration.
Air (aeration) is certainly not the treatment of choice for livewell hypoxia, contrary to popular fisherman testimonials, C&R tournament director's and outdoor writer beliefs.
Livewell aeration (air) systems of all kinds seem to perform well in cool months for most fishermen in mid-September through mid-June environmental water temperatures below 75 F. The environmental water temperature is cooler, fish metabolism is lower and because the biological oxygen demand is lower, fish simply need less oxygen for cellular metabolism in cold water.
Aeration devices pump air (lots of air). High output water pumps pump water through livewells in vast quantities, some have particulate water filtering systems built in-line that take out the larger chunks and feces.
The type or brand of aeration system a fisherman chooses makes little difference in oxygenating efficiency because air is the problem, not the mechanical aerator. The glaring fact is that livewell hypoxia and anaerobic metabolism cannot be reversed with air. Period.
Air is mostly nitrogen gas with a little dab of oxygen in it, its 4/5 nitrogen by volume. Livewell water pumps pump water that has been exposed to air.
Aeration is an inefficient method for oxygenating live fish hauling water, especially when transporting large volumes of live bait and tournament fish in small boat livewells and bait tanks (>50 gallon) in the summer.
Air pumps and water pumps are noisy, need electricity and fail frequently and live bait fish, shrimp and tournament gamefish die. Many fishermen always have several spare pumps on the boat anticipating pump failure.
Aeration never insures safe oxygenation in loaded livewell and bait tanks. Aeration is great for off-gassing dissolved carbon dioxide and ammonia if livewell water exchanges and chemical pH buffers are not used.
Livewell water exchange is a cheap, quick and easy way to control metabolic toxins and waste in livewells. Just change the total livewell water a couple times daily. Just change the water and forget aeration, the constant noise and vibration of the electric aerator motor or water pump motor.
Be alert. Excessive aeration (dissolved nitrogen supersaturation) does very little good in reversing summer livewell hypoxia, but nitrogen supersaturation can cause gas bubble disease, gas embolism, pop-eye and tissue emphysema. Air supersaturation can cause far more harm to live captive fish in livewells than benefits.
The fact is glaring that basic health, survival and quality of live bait or fish in summer livewells decreases dramatically in proportion to total time fish are confined to livewells and bait tanks having dangerous sustained low dissolved oxygen concentrations.
Mechanical aeration systems include livewell water pumps, air pumps with bubble stones, scoops, spray bars, air venturies and agitators. Aerators are the equivalent to using electric fans in a health care emergency.
Suffocation is a horrible way to die, not counting the excited panic state suffocation causes for hours in the livewell. The massive hypoxic event at summer weigh-ins is often the final insult and is a causative element affecting Post Release Delayed Tournament Mortality. Most folks just call this “stress.”
The “Tuna Tube” (a live fish holding tube) is another type of mechanical aeration device with the same oxygen limitations. They seem to work OK in cold winter months, but they will fail to provide safe oxygenation in summer conditions.
Livewell Bait Tank Oxygen Systems
A life support oxygen system must be adjustable and the concentration of oxygen delivered must be sustained continuously at 100% - 140% dissolved oxygen saturation or supersaturation in your livewell. That’s the Gold Standard for state and federal fish hatchery live fish transports.
It makes no difference if there is 1 fish or 1,000 fish in the livewell. A minimum of 100% DO saturation is the minimum DO requirement anytime live baitfish and tournament gamefish are being transported any time of the year.
Any oxygen system that cannot produce or deliver enough oxygen continuously while the livewell is full of bait or fish can be more deadly than any mechanical aeration system and livewell pump in the summer.
It is essential with any oxygenating system that dissolved oxygen concentrations in livewells and bait tanks are capable of sustaining 100 % dissolved oxygen saturation (DO Saturation) – 140 % dissolved oxygen concentrations (DO Supersaturation) during transport whether all day, all night or several days.
Dissolved oxygen concentrations must be measured in a livewell or bait tank with your maximum load of live bait fish, shrimp or full limits of tournament gamefish. Testing the DO in livewell water void of live bait or fish is meaningless with no fish or live bait in the water at the time of test.
The oxygen system you choose must be capable of delivering a sufficient volume and concentration of pure oxygen as well as safely and efficiently dissolving that oxygen in livewell water.
It should be capable of delivering a wide range of oxygen doses that can be easily adjusted or changed as your bait load or number of mature tournament gamefish stocking density increases and decreases during the day.
Different brands of oxygen systems deliver a wide range of gas volumes and oxygen concentrations which is a major consideration. An “oxygen system” may or may not deliver enough oxygen for a particular job. Choose your “oxygen system” carefully because the type and brand of oxygenating system may or may not be any better than any standard boat or bait tank aeration system.
Oxygen systems must be safe, dependable and easy to change and adjust doses as the biological oxygen demand in the livewell increases or decreases. Changes in stocking density, water temperature, salinity, barometric pressure, fish or bait species, fish or bait age, day or night usage and total transport time or total time in captivity all affect the amount of oxygen required for a safe healthy trip in the livewell or bait tank.
Different types of oxygen systems produce oxygen in various ways. Some oxygenating devices can be superior to aeration systems in the summer provided they are capable of producing and delivering enough oxygen continuously in high concentrations to satisfy all the bait and fish in the livewell. Other oxygen systems may cause more harm to bait and fish than any aeration system if they are only capable of delivering small doses of oxygen in fixed amounts.
Insufficient oxygen (hypoxia) is insufficient oxygen (hypoxia) any way you cut it and the physiological results are the same.
Sustained chronic hypoxia is THE MAJOR CAUSE OF SUMMER LIVEWELL MORTALITY AND MORBIDITY, especially delayed summer tournament mortality (freshwater and saltwater C&R tournaments). Hypoxia is deadly and cannot be corrected or reversed with all the air in the world.
Pure oxygen is a lifesaver: Transporting and using oxygen safely and effectively is more high-tech than simply flipping a switch on an electric water pump, air compressor, aerator, PSA oxygen generator or simply turning on the compressed oxygen valve.
Using oxygen or any gas life support oxygen equipment safely requires a functional knowledge and faithful practice of the “rules of the oxygen road.” Understanding the gas and understand the limitations of your equipment is necessary in order to be safe and get your job done successfully with minimal dead bait disappointments.
The USCG regulates all transport and storage of high pressure oxygen cylinders, SCUBA (air and mixed gases) and helium cylinders on vessels. All State, Federal and private fish hatcheries always transport live fish with dependable pressurized oxygen or liquid oxygen (LOX). Professional live fish transporters never attempt to oxygenate hauling water with any aerator or water pump.
High pressure medical oxygen equipment is engineered, designed and manufactured for use in clean controlled environments; medical clinics, hospitals, EMT vehicles, doctors offices and fire trucks by trained personnel trained to use and handle oxygen equipment and gas safely.
Any time medical oxygen equipment is misused by fishermen with no training in O2 safety on unclean boats; it’s dangerous to not only the boat captain, crew and other fishermen on the boat, but hazardous to all. Those who intentionally or ignorantly disregard or reject the importance of oxygen gas safety or the rules of the oxygen road or USCG regulations and safety codes flirt with danger.
Safety, transport, storage, handling and the administration of oxygen requires specific application learned through special instructions and knowledge about the gas and serious limitations of different oxygen delivery equipment.
Medical oxygen regulator bodies have shiny chrome alloy plating or colored aluminum alloy housings. The dose of oxygen is always regulated in liters per minute (LPM). Medical oxygen cylinders are usually made of aluminum or steel and aluminum oxygen cylinders have dark green shoulders, silver bodies and are completely sealed with a heat shrink plastic coating so they may be easily wiped down, cleaned and disinfected in health care facilities.
The sale and rental of medical oxygen equipment and medical oxygen requires a written doctor’s prescription. Prescription medical equipment is sometimes repackaged, relabeled and sold illegally over the counter to fishermen without a written doctor’s prescription.
Without a written doctor’s prescription, buying medical oxygen equipment from Durable Medical Equipment (DME) companies, fishing tackle shops or fishing guides is illegal. Abusing and misusing medical oxygen equipment is common and dangerous.
From the Office of Inspector General: Special Fraud Alert "Physician Liability for Certifications in the Provision of Medical Equipment and Supplies" http://oig.hhs.gov/fraud/docs/alertsandbulletins/dme.htm
Black Market Illegal Medical Equipment Sales Only! Cost $100.00 or less
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