Oxygen Generators - Electrolysis type

I bought an oxygen generator last July in hopes that it would improve my livewell survival rate and was sadly disappointed after I spent $100 or so. I do believe that more O2 is the key to better summer survival and have since discardes what didn't work and gone to what works ad works very well... compressed welding oxygen.

Have any of you had any better luck with these O2 generators. I will say that I had not done much homework before I bought the thing, but now I'm more knowledgable about electrolysis type O2 equipment thanks to information on this site:

Livewell Bait Tank Water Electrolysis Systems: Compare O2 Systems

Aqua Innovations Oxygenator™, an electrolysis device (electrolysis for freshwater use only). This small D/C battery operated electrical device breaks down fresh water molecules into pure hydrogen gas, pure oxygen gas and hydroxyl ions. If the livewell water contains any salt, chlorine gas is always produced. It has no moving parts, makes no noise and requires maintenance with special equipment after each use. Everything dies in the livewell if a live support oxygen system fails to produce enough oxygen (delivery volume) in high concentrations (100% oxygen gas)) . Water electrolysis produces some pure oxygen and twice as much pure hydrogen, 1:2 ratio respectively. The little amount of oxygen it does generate is not regulated or controlled by the fisherman. The volume of oxygen delivered is strictly regulated, controlled by a thermometer that measures livewell water temperature. The amount of oxygen produced has nothing to do with the volume and concentration of dissolved oxygen required and necessary to meet and sustain the minimal biological oxygen demand for 8-10 hours of intensive transport captivity coupled with maximum physiological and psychological fish stress in summer tournament.
The little electrolyzer is cheap, about the cost of a water pump or air compressor. Electrolyzing water does produce a tiny amount of pure oxygen so technically it does qualify on paper as an "oxygen generating system," the vital sales point.
Some questions an informed consumer should ask and answer:

Because most fishing catch and release tournaments are usually held in the summer, is this life-support electrolysis oxygen generator absolutely dependable in the summer when low oxygen concentrations are normally major fish care problems?

Is this life support oxygen system dependable and reliable? The equipment must always produce, maintain and sustain minimal dissolved oxygen saturations (100% - 175% DO saturation) in a bass boat livewell , tournament weigh-in holding tank, release boat transport tanks containing a limit many limits of tournament bass (15-27 lbs fish or 400 lbs of live fish) in July/August tournaments all day long.

The physiological and psychological stress impact of transporting live bait and tournament gamefish in water that's actively being exposed to sustained low electrical current in water unknown, out of sight and out of mind.

The hallmark sales point is: the Oxygenator ™ makes pure oxygen, period.

Know the facts. Expect very limited pure oxygen production and low dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations every summer because this unit is controlled and cycled on and off strictly by livewell water temperature. When the unit is new and functioning correctly the volume of oxygen delivery may satisfy the biological oxygen demand for a fish in the livewell in cold winter months (water temperature 40 F - 65 F). Failure to generate enough oxygen is a seasonal problem like aeration, often exhibiting every summer when the surface water temperature reaches 75 F - 85 F. Like all mechanical aeration and water pumps, you cannot control the dose or volume of oxygen delivered nor can you control the livewell DO saturation with this device regardless of the BOD. Water pumps pump water and air pumps pump air... air and water is not oxygen irregardless of how much you pump.

A water temperature sensor (the brain of the electrolyzer is a thermometer) cycles the unit on and off intermittently, the amount of oxygen that's generated is strictly controlled by livewell water temperature. Add ice to cool the water and the unit cycles less generating less oxygen whether the well contains 1 three pound fish or 10 five pound fish. Unlike standard professional fish transporters dissolved oxygen standards for transport protocol, the biological oxygen demand (BOD) is not a consideration for oxygen production and is of no concern with this device. You can not make any adjustments to the unit nor can you increase the volume of oxygen the unit produces and delivers which exposed an extremely limiting water quality factor like you've experience with mechanical aeration.

O2 saturation rate: The sales literature proudly boasts that the Oxygenator will generate 80% dissolved oxygen in 20 minutes or less [that's with no bait or fish in the livewell consuming oxygen]. This sounds great, right? The truth is a bit slippery because most standard boat mechanical aerators achieve these saturations easily in cold water. Even Mr. or Ms. Bubbles air pumps can and will achieve 60% - 80% DO saturation under the same conditions in 30 - 40 seconds in cold water devoid of fish. Add a bait or a fish into the livewell and the dissolve oxygen saturation drops precipitously to chronic hypoxemic saturations. Bait, fish and bacteria consume oxygen, more fish require more oxygen in the summer. A mechanical aerator may be more efficient if any oxygen generator fails to deliver enough oxygen in high concentrations; chronic oxygen deprivation with mechanical aeration in the summer is well known by all fishermen trying to keep bait and fish alive and healthy during summer tournament transport captivity... sustained acute and chronic oxygen deprivation often results in dead, and dieing fish and lethargic sloppy red-nose bait better suited for catfish and crab bait. A major factor causing delayed tournament mortality in summer C-R fishing tournaments.

Aqua Innovations Oxygenator™ is not dose adjustable regardless of the biological oxygen demand (BOD) and stocking density in your livewell. These units require electricity, 2 AA batteries or 12 volt DC current, some units require daily maintenance after each use, new units are advertised maintenance free.

Note that hydrogen does combine with other elements (metabolic waste) to form very noxious and toxic hydrogen sulfide that becomes corrosive when exposed to salt, (hydrogen chloride).

Electrolyzing water containing salt is the standard industrial method for commercially producing pure hydrogen, an explosive fuel gas and the by-products oxygen gas, a potent oxidizer and chlorine gas, also an explosive gas that is toxic to tournament fish, live bait and people. Chlorine gas bubbles are visualized around the emitter as small greenish-yellow color gas bubbles.

Electrolyzing salt water or water containing bait saver and fish saver chemicals that contain salt will produces chlorine gas that can injure and kill Catch & Release tournament gamefish and live bait.

They are not clear bubbles seen with air, oxygen, hydrogen, carbon dioxide or helium gas. It is essential that you KNOW beyond any doubt whether a livewell chemical or additive contains salt compounds if you choose to use the Oxygenator™. Most livewell chemicals do contain salt that regulates osmoregulation.

If any livewell chemical manufacture refuses to provide a complete list of ingredients of their product for you upon direct request and you are unsure if the product contains any salt compounds, DO NOT USE THE PRODUCT with electrolysis. All fish saver and bait saver livewell chemicals contain salt.

If ever in doubt if a livewell chemical contains salt, taste it/ It's easy to determine if the livewell chemical contains any salt. CAUTION: Many livewell chemical manufacturers claim their fish saver livewell chemicals consist of "food grade" ingredients and may me used on food fish although many of these products are clearly not FDA approved for use on food fish and should never be used on food fish. Tournament catch and release gamefish are food fish for many fishermen.

The Oxygenator™ instructions boldly state:

DO NOT USE THIS DEVICE IN SALTWATER LIVEWELLS OR BAIT TANKS and DO NOT USE SALT OR ANY LIVEWELL CHEMICALS or LIVEWELL WATER CONDITIONERS THAT CONTAIN SALT.

Caution: The gas space between a closed livewell lid and the water surface can become enriched (24% oxygen) with oxygen, pure hydrogen gas (a fuel gas like acetylene and propane) and pure chlorine gas (an explosive gas) if the water contains any salt or livewell products that contain salt. Incorporate a potential ignition source (wires with live electricity to run the unit) in the livewell, and a potential fire and explosion hazard may exist.

Aqua Innovations Oxygenator™ sales literature claims that this unit will generate up to 80% DO saturation in 20 minutes in freshwater livewells that contain no fish or bait. Just what does that mean? Any good mechanical aerator, Mr. Bubbles or livewell water pump can generate 80% dissolved oxygen concentrations with air, with no fish in the livewell in less than 2 minutes. Cost $50.00 - $325.00

I learned all this the hard way by trial and disappointment, If only I would have done a little homework if you know what I mean.

Cheers fellows.

I enjoyed reading your thread very much and found alot of good info.I have used the Oxygenator for several years and have always believed it worked and still do. We fish aproximately 14 - 16 tournaments a year and use it in every tournament. We have lost a few fish but not more than normal. I most always add chemical to my livewell and know it contains salt but have had no adverse effects that I can tell. I have tried to keep minows in the baitwell overnight in the boat and found that it they are all dead in the morning. It was my thinking that it was because of too much oxygen produced. So maybe the jury is still out. I see from your profile who referred you to this site. He is a very good freind of mine and I know he uses Oxygen. Your article is very interesting and informative. Thanks.

Thanks for the heads up. I have a microbubble aerator at half the price and it's just as useless in summer. With the hard water I fish in, the unit must be brushed or the build up prevents microbubble production. Not worth the money!
Circulation of water in and out and/or ice are still the tried and true methods of lowering metabolism and keeping fish alive. The bigger the species the more crucial.

Thought: You cannot oversaturate water with oxygen such that it burns gill tissue unless they are in a pressurized sealed container. Chemistry 101. The only thing that kills livewell fish is too little oxygen for the number contained.
Even weigh-in bags can cause delayed mortality if too many fish are held in them for more than 15 minutes and the water temp is 75 or more.

Higher metabolism with higher water temps + too many gills sucking O2 in a small container = death (now or later).

I use a Collapsible Fish Basket (with floater type lids) made of wire and unless you drown the fish by going too fast with the trolling motor, 100 percent live. When going fast, I put the entire bag in a cooler filled with fresh water and put the bag back into the water when stopped and fishing an area.