Air Stones

[mandm]

 I have a 10 gallon tank that is in the process of cycling.  My question is about air stones.  I have an 8" air stone now and am wondering if it is necessary for a healthy aquarium.  If it is beneficial, how often should I run it.  All the time? Just during the day?  Any help would be appreciated.

 

[JWright]

You can run it iof you want to, some people think it's pretty, most people think it's noisy. Most modern filters take care of any current needs in your tank (what filter do you have?).

Josh

 

[ronrca]

I never use them except in my breeding tanks. Personally I think you dont need them as long as you have some surface movement. Thats all an airstone does anyways, move surface water. The bubbles rising actually do not oxygenate the water. It only takes place by water movement on the surface so far as Ive researched (and thats a lot). I would only use one if there is a problem. *thumbsupsmiley*

 

[colesea]

Airstones also help with the top-bottom circulation of water. As the air rises to the surface, water molecules get stuck to it, and due to the chemical nature of water, where one molecule goes, a whole chain follows after (capillary action). Stale water from the bottom is lifted to the top, where surface agitation can help to re-oxengenate it. This is the premise upon which UGF are based

I find airstones to be especially necessary on tall, narrow tanks like octagons and hexes. Bubble size matters as well. The bigger the airbubbles, the less diffusion of air you'll get into the water and the more the movement. The finer the bubbles, the more air diffusion into the water because you are increasing the time the air is in contact with the water, as well as the surface area in contact, but the less movement.


~~Colesea

 

[eseow]

Air stones will help you move your bottom section of water. I placed a 6 inch air stone in my 20 gallon an inch from the sand, by the power filter inlet tube. It draw debris from one side of the tank towards the air stone then picked up by filtration system. It keeps your bottm level of water in motion to help with the surface agitation for gas exchange at the surface. *thumbsupsmiley*