How long should the air pump be left running in the aquarium?

For aquarium enthusiasts, the running time of the air pump has always been a controversial issue. The running time of the air pump is not a fixed formula, but should be dynamically adjusted according to the three core parameters of water volume, biological carrying capacity, and water temperature changes.

■ Basic operating guidelines
Experimental data show that for small and medium-sized fish tanks (30-100L), it is recommended to maintain a daily operating cycle of 16-20 hours under normal stocking density. Continuous oxygen supply must be guaranteed during the two periods of low dissolved oxygen before dawn (03:00-06:00) and noon (11:00-14:00). The 2023 report of the Nanjing Fisheries Research Institute shows that the intermittent operation mode (running for 2 hours/pausing for 1 hour) can improve energy efficiency by 37% compared with 24-hour continuous operation, while maintaining the dissolved oxygen concentration at a safe threshold of 5.8-7.2mg/L.

■ Biological specific needs
Labyrinths (such as bettas and mandarins) require special control of airflow intensity, and 8-12 hours of oxygen supply per day can meet their needs. For high-metabolism fish (goldfish, koi) when the water temperature is above 28℃, it is recommended to implement 24-hour full-time oxygen supply. Because the coral tank system involves precision equipment such as calcium reactors, the air pump needs to be kept running continuously to stabilize the pH value.

■ Technical optimization plan
Equipped with a dissolved oxygen monitor, the air pump is automatically started when the value is lower than 4.5mg/L
Adopt a split dual air pump alternating working system to extend the life of the equipment
Combined with a surface wave pump, the oxygen exchange efficiency is improved by enhancing surface disturbance
Aquarium medicine expert Wang Lijuan reminds: "There is a huge risk of turning off the air pump at night. When the water pH>8.5, the toxicity of ammonia nitrogen will increase 50 times. Continuous airflow disturbance can effectively maintain the stability of the nitrogen cycle system." The latest research confirms that reasonable air pump management can reduce the incidence of fish by 42% and increase the survival rate of larvae by 28%.

It is recommended that breeders test water quality monthly and adjust the oxygen supply strategy according to the nitrate concentration. When NO3- exceeds 20ppm, the air pump operation time should be extended and water changes should be carried out. By combining the intelligent timing system with biological behavior observation, a personalized oxygen management model can be established to achieve energy conservation goals while ensuring biological health.