Livewell Oxygen Injection

Texas Parks and Wildlife DepartmentInland Fisheries Division

San Antonio District Office

(08/04/11)

•Dissolved oxygen is the single-most critical factor for maintaining health of black bass retained in livewells.

•Various oxygen equipment was tested to determine a simple, effective, and safe system for maintaining desirable dissolved oxygen (>7.0 mg/l) in livewells.

•This presentation recommends system components and describes installation, operation, and safety.

Complete oxygen injection system

Time (minutes)

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2002 BasscatOxygen injection: 0.06 LPMRecirculation type: spray bar5 fish = 12.5 lbsWater: Calaveras H20 temperature: 75 F

Oxygen injection

Recirculation

Time (minutes)

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142006 SkeeterOxygen injection: 0.06 LPM5 fish = 12.5 lbsRecirculation type: venturi spray headWater: Calaveras H20 temperature: 75 F

Oxygen injection

Recirculation

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1997 ChargerOxygen injection: 0.13 LPM5 fish = 27.6 lbsRecirculation type: venturi sub-surface pipe Water: Falcon H20 temperature: 77 F

Oxygen injection

Recirculation

•Custom engineered for livewell oxygen injection by Premier Industries.•Industrial grade and not considered a medical device by FDA or Texas Department of State Health Services.•CGA540 inlet and ¼” barb outlet.

Oxygen Regulator

•Fixed-flow, LPM is factory pre-set to 0.1.•Dual-stage design which maintains LPM at 0.1 in response to changing PSI.•High quality PSI gauge which indicates fullness of oxygen bottle.

Appropriate size oxygen bottles and associated specifications

Sizeclassification Capacity

Diameter(inches)

Length including valve (inches)

Number of 8 hour fishing days for full bottle

MD or D 15 ft3 4.4 20 20M9 or C 9 ft3 4.4 14.2 12

•Use of a CGA540 valve permits use and refill with welding grade oxygen. Use of medical grade oxygen is by prescription only.

•Bottle top will often be painted red by oxygen supplier to indicate its filled with welding grade oxygen.

•Securely mount bottle protecting it and the regulator from impact and excessive vibration.

•Consider different bottles sizes when choosing mounting location.

•Its preferable to route oxygen hose on port side of boat away from wiring and cables located on starboard side.

•Do not locate bottle in boat bilge or in compartments containing oil, gas, or batteries.

•Remove oxygen bottle from boat when not planning to use.

9 ft3 bottle mounted with fire extinguisher bracket in compartment under seat

15 ft3 bottle mounted with fire extinguisher bracket under console

5 lb. fire extinguisher bracket and large hose clamps

9 ft3 bottle mounted in wood box in compartment under seat

•There are no federal or Texas regulations specific to use and storage of oxygen equipment on recreational fishing boats.

•Aluminum bottles require re-testing every 5 years

•Oxygen by itself is not flammable, however the pure form is a dangerous accelerant and highly reactive to oil-based products.

•Do not smoke around oxygen equipment•Do not use products containing oil on or around oxygen equipment (e.g. WD-40, silicone, etc) or combustion of these may occur.

•Test all connections with soapy water to ensure there are no oxygen leaks before use.

•Cable/zip ties were inadequate •Use hose clamps or more secure connectors•Frequently re-check hoses and connections for leaks and damage

•Do not fill oxygen bottle from another bottle (i.e. transfill). Bottle or valve failure could result.

regulator

livewell 1

livewell 2

1/4“ barbed tee

•Most modern bass boats have two independent livewells. The single oxygen line from the regulator is split to form two lines to facilitate oxygen injection into both livewells.

•This “T” connection should be made asas near as possible to where oxygenwill be routed thru the rear wall of the livewell.

•Durable ¼ “ ID reinforced hose should be used between the regulator and livewell.

•The hoses running from the tee to the livewell wall fittings should be equallength.

¼” barbed tee

oxygen diffuser

rear wall of livewell

•Use the soft, flexible hose inside livewells to allow diffusers to remain stable and upright.

•Use equal length hoses inside livewells.

•Use teflon tape on threaded livewell wall fittings

•Turn the knob counterclockwise on the CGA540 valve to inject oxygen. Turning the valve clockwise will shut-off oxygen flow.

•Diffusers will take 3-4 minutes to pressurize before producing oxygen bubbles.

•Both livewells will need to be filled with water for diffusers to function properly. If one livewell is filled and the other left empty, all oxygen will flow out the diffuser in the livewell having no water because this is the path of least resistance. Cut-off clamps can be installed on the black tubing to direct oxygen flow to only one livewell.

•Recirculation (air-water mixing) can be used simultaneously with oxygen injection, however oxygen in excess of saturation level with be volatized off.

•The surface of the diffusers can be cleaned using fine grit sandpaper if dirt or build-up hamper performance.

Operation

Cut-off clamp: Aquatic Ecosystems part number DC9

•Safety should be the primary concern if modifying system or substituting components.

•Lower quality diffusers are much less efficient and may not achieve desired oxygen level at the recommended oxygen injection rate of 0.1 LPM.

•Use oxygen injection together with other proven livewell management and fish care techniques.

•Cooling the water•Addition of stock salt•Periodic water exchanges

•http://assets.espn.go.com/winnercomm/outdoors/bassmaster/pdf/b_con_KeepingBassAlive.pdf

•Fizzing•http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/newsmedia/releases/?req=20110202d

Overall Livewell Management

Component, Cost, and Supplier list

Costs do not include shipping or tax, prices are subject to change. Equivalent items are available from other vendors. 1This model diffuser is available only while supplies last because of manufacturer discontinuation.

Item Part Number Cost($) SupplierAluminum Oxygen Bottle

9 ft3 capacity (M9) with standard CGA540 valve T540M9 61.95 Cramer Decker MedicalOR cramerdeckermedical.com

15 ft3 capacity (MD) with standard CGA540 valve Y540MD 69.95 (877) 222-0200

Oxygen Regulator (Model 4700) Premier IndustriesCGA540 inlet, 1/4" barb outlet, flow set at 0.1 LPM 50-11530-01 65.00 nationaltorch.com

(763) 786-4020

Oxygen Fill AirGasWelding grade oxygen 11.00 or Other Local Supplier

Bottle Mounting Bracket Hallmann SalesLarsens 5lb fire extinguisher bracket 821 14.99 hallmann-sales.com

(866) 966-9596

Diffusers, Fittings, Tubing, and Clamps2- oxygen diffusers AS101 102.90 Aquatic Eco-Systems

OR aquaticeco.comDYFP6N1 76.00 (877) 347-4788

5 ft. ¼” ID black vinyl tubing BTV40 2.2515-20 ft. ¼” ID reinforced clear vinyl tubing TVR40 12.601 - ¼” tee (barb) connector 62064 .652- 4” hose clamps for fire ext. bracket SSI 4.1010 - ¼” stainless steel hose clamps SSAA 9.40

2 - ¼” barb X ¼” MIP hose barb adapters A-192 4.64 Home Depot2 - ¼” barb X ¼” FIP hose barb adapters A-197 4.36

Total (DYFP6N diffusers and 15 ft3 bottle) 274.94

•We thank the following for their assistance and comments.•Aquatic Ecosystems•AirGas•Matheson Tri-Gas•Premier Industries•James and Tom Bendele (Falcon Lake Tackle)•Ken Parker (Boerne Marine)•Rick Pierce (Bass Cat Boats)•Gene Gilliland (Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation)•Carl Wengenroth (Angler’s Lodge)

TPWD-Inland Fisheries, District 1D

12861 Galm Rd.

San Antonio, TX 78254210-688-9460Randy.Myers@tpwd.state.tx.us Jason.Driscoll@tpwd.state.tx.us