I'm adding pieces of catappa leaves to cover the surface of my aquarium, and from what I've learned from you, this reduces the oxygen in the tank. To address this, I added a Söchting Oxydator. Is this a product that could solve my oxygen problem?
I would not add another product - the oxygen removed by the catappa leaves seems to not impact the sort of fishes you keep in such an environment. I believe temperature can have a greater impact though i do not know if factually this is true. In any event i've gone quite extreme in a few tanks with leaves and not seen any issues. But i do have decent circulation via sponge filters and matten filters.
It significantly reduces oxygen ONLY when added in large quantities at once and only for a few days. A normal airstone is absolutely enough to counter this. Also the leaves are not to cover the surface but the bottom. I don't endorse Söchting Oxydators. In my experience these things are just glorified airstones with no actual advantages besides filling the pockets of the manufacturer. Safe the money for something useful instead.
That about sums up the hobby. And keeping the old aquariums "just in case".
