Anyone who has ever been active fishing from a boat has faced a situation where you need to keep the catch alive for the rest of the day or even for several days. airerIt's a compressor that's often confused with a conventional compressor, but it has its own specific functions, and it's a device that forces oxygenation of water, which is a lifeline for fish in a closed volume.
Unlike natural aeration that occurs on the surface of the water in the wind, the aerator creates a stream of small bubbles that rise from the bottom of the container, stirring the layers of water and enriching them with oxygen. Without this device on a hot summer day, fish in a cage or tank can die in a matter of hours due to banal suffocation and increased concentration of ammonia in the water.
Understanding the principle of operation of this mechanism is necessary not only for professional anglers-athletes, but also for amateurs who appreciate the quality of their catch. A critical parameter is the performance of the device, which must correspond to the volume of the tank and the number of fish. In this article we will analyze in detail all the nuances of selection, installation and operation of aerators in the conditions of the boat.
Principle of operation and purpose of the device
The primary task of any air-carrier It's an ejection system, where the air flow generated by the motor goes through a hose and into a sprayer, where it breaks into tiny bubbles, and the smaller the bubbles, the longer they stay in the water column, and the more efficient the gas exchange.
In addition to oxygenation, the rising bubbles create a vertical current of water that prevents the layers of temperature from being dissected. In summer heat, the top layers of water in the tank can be warm and the bottom layers can be cold, which causes stress in the fish. Constant stirring equalizes the temperature and distributes oxygen evenly throughout the container, whether it is a plastic canister or a built-in canister. live well (live compartment)
It's also worth noting that aeration removes harmful gases like carbon dioxide and ammonia from the water, which are released by fish, and that in standing water, concentrations of these substances rise rapidly, poisoning the inhabitants, and a working aerator creates a "boiling" effect that expels toxins to the surface where they escape into the atmosphere.
- 🌊 It saturates the water with dissolved oxygen, preventing the death of fish.
- 🔄 Stirs the layers of water, leveling the temperature in the container.
- 💨 Removes harmful gases and waste products of fish.
The main task of the aerator is not just to let bubbles, but to create a stable flow of water for maximum gas exchange and cleaning the habitat of the fish.
The main types of aerators for boats
There are many models in the modern fishing equipment market that can be classified by type of food and design. The choice of a particular type depends on which boat you plan to fish on and how long the fish should stay alive. compressorPowered by batteries or batteries.
Membrane models are compact and low-cost, but they have limited work life and make noise. For more serious tasks, such as PVC boats with installed jelly tanks, often use piston compressors connected to the onboard network of 12 volts. They are more powerful, durable, but require a charged battery on board.
And we also have a Venturi aerators, which don't have an electric motor, and they use the energy of the water flow from the onboard pump or the boat itself, and when you go through the narrowing of the tube, the water creates a vacuum by sucking in the air, which is ideal for long journeys, but it's useless when the boat is anchored or the angler is drifting.
⚠️ Attention! When choosing a model for a PVC boat, keep in mind that membrane aerators are afraid of moisture inside the hull. Water entering the contacts or inside the motor instantly disables them, so the tightness of the placement is critical.
- 🔋 Membrane - work from batteries, light, but low-noise.
- ⚡ Piston - powerful, connected to 12V, suitable for large volumes.
- 🌊 Ejector (Venturi) - do not require electricity, work from the flow of water.
Selection criteria: power and productivity
When buying aeration equipment, the first thing to consider is the declared performance, which is usually measured in liters of air per minute. For a standard tank of 40-50 liters, designed for 10-15 kg of fish, the optimal indicator is 2-4 liters per minute. If the performance is lower, the fish will start to suffocate at high water temperature.
The second important thing is the depth of the sprayer. Many cheap models can't push a column of water deeper than 50 to 60 cm. If your tank is deep and the hose is lowered, the weak compressor can't squeeze out the air, which will cause the membrane to overheat and break. Always look at the maximum pressure or depth specifications.
For sea fishing, where you can not change batteries often, it is better to choose a model with an external battery or a large-capacity Li-Ion element built in. The continuous operation time should be at least 8-10 hours to block all daylight hours.
The table below compares the main specifications of different types of devices:
| Type of device | power supply | Productivity | Noise |
|---|---|---|---|
| Membrane | Batteries / 5V | Low (up to 2 l/min) | Medium |
| Piston | 12B (battery) | High (4-10 l/min) | High. |
| vortex | 12B/220B | Very high. | Low. |
| Ejector | Water flow | Depends on speed. | Silent |
Buy an aerator with a power reserve of about 30%, which will allow the device to operate in a gentle mode, which will prolong its life and reduce noise levels.
Installation and installation instructions
If you install the equipment correctly, it's a long and efficient way to work, and if you're mounting a stationary system in a live well of a metal or composite boat, you should start by choosing a place for the compressor, and it should be located above the water level in the tank, so that when you turn it off, the water doesn't flow back into the hose and get into the motor.
To connect, use special hoses made of PVC or silicone, resistant to ultraviolet light and low temperatures. A normal medical hose in the cold will become oak and burst. At the end of the hose, immersed in water, it is mandatory to install sprayer The smaller the bubbles in the exit, the better.
If you're using a portable temporary cage, fasten the compressor on a boat or on a special shelf. Don't just leave the device on the floor where it can be accidentally kicked or poured with water when rolling. Secure fixation will prevent it from falling into the water.
☑️ Pre-launch checks
It's important to organize the system so that the hose does not get tangled under your feet, so you can pass the duct through special clips or rings fixed on the sides, use plastic corners in places of inflection, so that you do not block the flow of air, because the squeezed hose will cause the membrane to fail.
⚠️ Attention! Never turn on the compressor if the hose outlet is blocked or clamped, which will create excessive pressure inside the housing and rupture the membrane or cause the engine to burn.
Maintenance and typical faults
Any technical device requires maintenance, and the aerator is no exception. The main problem that fishermen face is the contamination of the sprayer. Over time, the holes in the ceramic stone or porous tube get clogged with salts and organics, the bubbles get larger, and the performance drops. Regular washing in a weak solution of citric acid will help restore properties.
The membranes in compressors lose elasticity over time, especially if the device is stored in cold or heat. If you notice that the sound of the work has changed, has become louder, and the airflow has weakened, you probably need to replace the membrane. In most models, this is an expendable material that you can find in the remixes.
Also, keep an eye on the back valve, if it's designed, and this little plastic element keeps the water from going out of the tank back into the compressor when it's turned off, and if the valve jams or loses its tightness, the water, by the law of communicating vessels, will pour in the electrical part.
- 🧼 Wash the sprayers in an acid solution once a season.
- 🔍 Check the integrity of the hoses for cracks.
- 🔋 Remove the batteries during long-term storage of the device.
How do you resuscitate an old spray?
If the ceramic stone stopped letting small bubbles, try boiling it in water with added vinegar for 15-20 minutes, this will dissolve calcium deposits inside the pores. If it did not help, the stone is better to replace, since its porous structure could be irreversibly changed.
Operational rules in winter
Winter fishing imposes its own stringent requirements on equipment. Low temperatures negatively affect plastic parts and rubber membranes, making them brittle. Before going out on the ice or winter fishing from a boat, be sure to warm up the device by keeping it warm. The cold compressor may not start or immediately break.
The water in the tank cools slowly in winter, but if the aerator is constantly working, it can contribute to even faster cooling or even the formation of an ice crust on the surface. In severe frosts, it is recommended to take breaks from work or use insulated fish tanks to avoid freezing the catch along with the equipment.
Pay special attention to batteries. In the cold, the capacity of alkaline batteries drops to almost zero in a matter of minutes, use only high-quality lithium batteries or lithium-ion batteries, which are better able to tolerate low temperatures, and keep spare cells in the inner pocket of clothes.
After returning from fishing, the device must be thoroughly dried, and the moisture residue inside the shell can expand when frozen and damage chips or mechanical parts, and leave the compressor on for a few minutes in a warm room to drive moisture out of the membrane and hoses.
Can I use an aquarium aerator for a boat?
Aquarium compressors often lack protection from moisture and dust (IP44 and below), their hoses are thin and easily interrupted, and the performance may not be enough for a large volume of water in the flea tank.
How long can a fish live in a tank with an aerator?
Time depends on the water temperature, planting density and type of fish. At a temperature of +10... + 15 ° C and good aeration, a pike or pike can live in a tank of 50 liters (at the rate of 10-15 liters per 1 kg of fish) up to 24 hours. In heat (+ 25 ° C), the time is reduced to 4-6 hours even with a powerful aerator.
Why is the aerator buzzing and what to do?
The hum's amplification usually indicates wear on the membrane, weakening of the screws of the body, or vibration against the surface on which it stands. Try putting a piece of foam or rubber under the device. If the sound hasn't changed, you probably need to replace the membrane or repair the valve group.
Do I need a return valve if the compressor is above water level?
It's advisable to set it up anyway. If you're rocking or rolling a boat, the water level can temporarily rise above the compressor, or the water can go up the hose because of the capillary effect. The reverse valve is a cheap insurance against expensive repairs.