118 
Aquatic Lite 
On the Use of 
Oxygen in Aquarium Aeration 
ERNEST LEITHOLF 
Desiring to install a syste mof aeration, 
Mr. Adolph Dormeier, of Pittsburgh, 
suggested compressed oxygen as a pos- 
sible solution of the problem. While 
familiar with the use of this gas in cases 
of drowning and asphyxiation, and its 
employment in shipping live fishes in 
sealed cans, its suitability for our pur- 
pose seemed problematical, nevertheless, 
it was subsequently installed in our con- 
servatory. 
tank to the aquaria was constructed of 
one-eighth inch iron gas pipe, with a T 
fitting at each aquarium. In the outlet 
of each T was placed a “crank case drain 
cock,” and from the cock to the releaser 
or distributor in the aquarium, a length 
of rubber hose. 
We are using two kinds of releasers. 
One is a cross-section of basswood in- 
serted in the end of the hose in the 
aquarium, the other was made by Mr. 
Dormeier from a piece of hard carbon, 
such as is used in arc lights and dry bat- 
teries. Taking a piece 2 inches long and 
34-inch in diameter, a hole was drilled 
Cichlasoma steindachneri 
The outfit is exceedingly simple, con- 
sisting of a tank or cylinder of oxygen, 
a pressure regulator, a pipe line to the 
aquaria and some fittings. 
The regulator we employed is the style 
used in welding. One gauge indicates 
the pressure and amount of oxygen in 
the cylinder, while the other serves to 
reduce the pressure to the “working 
point,” at which it is desired to use it. 
This apparatus is expensive. A low 
pressure regulator, which can be adjust- 
ed to deliver the oxygen at the proper 
pressure for use, will serve the purpose 
just as well and costs but a third as 
much. 
The discharge line from the oxygen 
Original Painting by W. L. Brind 
lengthwise, not quite to the other end. 
A short section of brass tubing was ce- 
mented in the hole to which to attach 
the rubber hose. 
To assemble and operate the outfit, 
the pressure regulator is first attached 
to the cylinder of oxygen and connec- 
tion then made to the discharge line run- 
ning to the aquaria. Making certain 
that the regulator indicates zero, open 
wide the main valve of .the cylinder. 
Then turn the adjusting screw of the 
regulator until sufficient oxygen is pass- 
ed to aerate the aquaria. 
Tanks or cylinders of compressed 
oxygen can be secured from the Linde 
(Concluded on Page 120) 
