How much oxygen do fish consume?

Typical $\text{O}_2$ consumption rates: tilapia 0.3–0.5 g/kg/hr, salmon 0.4–0.6 g/kg/hr. Rates increase with temperature, feeding activity, and stress.

What types of aerators are available?

Common types include paddle wheels (ponds), air blowers with diffusers (tanks), venturi injectors, and pure oxygen systems. Each has different transfer efficiency.

How do I calculate aerator capacity?

Aerator capacity is rated in g $\text{O}_2$/hr under standard conditions. A typical 1 HP paddle wheel delivers 40–60 g $\text{O}_2$/hr. This tool assumes 50 g/hr per unit as a planning baseline.

Aeration Requirement Calculator

Calculate the aeration capacity needed for your tank based on biomass and oxygen demand. Includes aerator count estimate.

AquacultureEngineeringClient-Side

Tool info

Tool information

About, related tools, and citation

About This Tool

Method: $\text{O}_2$ demand = biomass $\times$ consumption rate. Aeration capacity = $\text{O}_2$ demand + (DO increase $\times$ volume / 1000). Aerator count at 50 g/hr per unit (typical 1 HP paddle wheel).
Last Validated: 2026-04-08
Privacy: 100% client-side

Related Tools

How to Cite

ConductScience Aeration Requirement Calculator (v1.0). ConductScience, Inc. 2026. Available at: https://conductscience.com/tools/aeration-requirement-calculator

Boyd CE. Water Quality in Warmwater Fish Ponds. Auburn University. 1990.

Why This Tool?

Quick sizing estimate from biomass and desired DO increase with aerator count recommendation.

Tool details, related tools, and citation

About This Tool

Method: $\text{O}_2$ demand = biomass $\times$ consumption rate. Aeration capacity = $\text{O}_2$ demand + (DO increase $\times$ volume / 1000). Aerator count at 50 g/hr per unit (typical 1 HP paddle wheel).
Last Validated: 2026-04-08
Privacy: 100% client-side

Related Tools

How to Cite

ConductScience Aeration Requirement Calculator (v1.0). ConductScience, Inc. 2026. Available at: https://conductscience.com/tools/aeration-requirement-calculator

Boyd CE. Water Quality in Warmwater Fish Ponds. Auburn University. 1990.

Why This Tool?

Quick sizing estimate from biomass and desired DO increase with aerator count recommendation.

Try it out

Load example aeration calculator data to see the full workflow

Aeration Parameters

Biomass (kg)

O\u2082 Consumption (g/kg/h)

Desired DO Increase (mg/L)

Tank Volume (L)

Results

O\u2082 Demand

200.0 g/hr

biological demand

Capacity Needed

220.0 g/hr

total aeration

Aerators

units needed (~50 g/hr each)

Biomass

500 kg

total fish

Sizing aeration equipment for new tanks or ponds
Planning for biomass increases as fish grow
Emergency aeration capacity planning
Comparing aerator options

Don't use for

As an exact engineering specification — consult manufacturer ratings for specific aerator models

Aeration in Aquaculture

Adequate aeration is critical to maintaining dissolved oxygen above safe thresholds. Oxygen demand comes from two sources: fish respiration (proportional to biomass) and the need to maintain a target DO concentration in the water volume. Under-sizing aeration is the most common cause of oxygen-related fish kills.

Aeration Requirement Calculator

Aeration Parameters

Results

Aeration in Aquaculture

Frequently Asked Questions

Next Steps

Aeration Equipment

Aquatic Research Equipment

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