SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/fish-outage-keep-surface-moving

The power goes out. What keeps oxygen getting into your aquarium water?

Keeping the water surface moving, for example with a battery-powered air pump.

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  1. Keeping the water surface moving ✔
  2. Turning on a flashlight over the tank
  3. Adding extra fish food

Why: Oxygen dissolves into the water at the surface. A UF fish vet says good aeration happens when the surface is moving, and still water means poor oxygen exchange. A battery air pump keeps it moving.

Huh, didn't know that: Warm water holds less oxygen, and saltwater holds even less than freshwater.

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What do fish use to call each other? Shell phones.
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References

Answer: Keeping the water surface moving. Oxygen dissolves into the water at the surface. A UF fish vet says good aeration happens when the surface is moving, and still water means poor oxygen exchange. A battery air pump keeps it moving.

  1. Florida Sea Grant: Q&A, How to Keep Your Fish Tank Safe During a Power Outage www.flseagrant.org/qa-how-to-keep-your-fish-tank-safe-during-a-power-outage
    Good aeration happens when the surface of the water is moving
    Checked 2026-10-11.
  2. Florida Sea Grant: Q&A, How to Keep Your Fish Tank Safe During a Power Outage www.flseagrant.org/qa-how-to-keep-your-fish-tank-safe-during-a-power-outage
    Still water means poor oxygen exchange. Use a battery-powered air pump or a small generator
    Checked 2026-10-11.

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