air pump/air stone issue

[prhelp]

Hi all,

I'm setting up a 20g high tank (24 long x 16 high x 13 deep). So I bought an 18 inch long airstone that lays across the bottom, of course, plus a air pump rated for up to 50 gallons. I believe it is connected properly.

Problem is, the airstone strip only puts out bubbles along the first 8 or 9 inches or so (on the same end to which the clear airtube attaches). On the last 8 or so inches, there are few bubbles -- some, here and there, but not a ton.

I got the airstone at Petco, so maybe that's a problem. It is a simple long strip, with a whitish lavarock-feel stone with a black trim, I presume to weight it down a bit. Overall, it's very lightweight.

I'm wondering if I bought a bad airstone or a cheap one or what? Seems like a pump rated for 50 gal should be able to make this work. Is there something I'm missing?

 

[prhelp]

Apparently what I got was a "bubble bar" like the one at the link below, not a true airstone. Either way, the reviews aren't that great. Think I'll try another brand. Would still love your thoughts and recs, though. Thx.

 

[Purple]

You'd be surprised how big an air-pump you'd need to run some of those bigger airstones – the rating on your pump is no guide to what will be required.

You have only tthree choices really ….

Bigger pump

Smaller stone

Place the existing stone at less depth

 

[Orion]

100% agree with Purple. But I also found out that with the long ones I used to use if I didn't let them soak for a while in water with out any air connected they would tend to be uneven like what your describing. I might take it out, let it dry out completely, then you could just toss it in a tank over night to let it soak up water and then see what happens. But if your not seeing a lot on the end opposite where you hook the air supply up, Im thinking it might well be a pump that's not powerful enough.