Pet stores offer a fairly wide range of aquarium accessories, including aerator nozzles that spray air in the form of small bubbles. However, many aquarists prefer to make these sprayers with their own hands.
Necessary
- - compressor;
- - long flexible tube;
- - needle;
- - a porous stone or a piece of porous wood.
Instructions
Step 1
Aquarium inhabitants need to ensure a sufficient oxygen content in the water for a full life. Now there is a wide variety of aerators designed to cope with this task. They work according to the same scheme: air from the outside is pumped through a hose into the aquarium and sprayed, and the smaller the bubbles, the better the aeration. Pet shops offer air compressor attachments at reasonable prices, but some hobbyists are not satisfied with the monotony, while others are just pleased to create equipment for their home pond on their own. Be that as it may, with the right materials, the sprayer is quite easy to make.
Step 2
The simplest option is a long rubber tube (perhaps the aerator hose itself), on which frequent holes are made with a simple needle, like in a sieve. One end of the tube is connected to the compressor and the other is closed off to allow air to escape through the punctures. Such a structure can be placed under the ground along the back wall of the aquarium, and the rising bubbles will not only provide its inhabitants with oxygen, but also create additional decor.
Step 3
Compressor nozzles can also be made from any porous materials that do not emit harmful substances into the water, for example, from abrasive stone and porous wood. Before placing such sprays in the aquarium, they must be sterilized in boiling water. In order for the air to be well distributed, the nozzle must fit perfectly, without gaps, to the tube through which the air is supplied.
Step 4
The use of synthetic materials (household sponges, etc.) is not recommended, since there is a high probability that they will release substances into the water that can negatively affect the health of aquarium inhabitants and even lead to their death. In pursuit of a beautiful design or cheapness, one should not forget that the aquatic biosystem is quite fragile and sensitive to any changes. If you are unsure about the safety of the material used for the spray, it is better to give preference to the purchased option.
Step 5
It is important to note that small bubbles require more air pressure, which means that the load on the aerator increases. This can affect the rate of normal wear and tear, energy consumption and noise that is almost inevitable when the compressor is running. Sprayers, both home-made and purchased, tend to clog, therefore they must be periodically replaced.
