Air Pump & Air Stones

[Unknownfuture]

Always a tough subject but over the years I’ve always found the fish seem happier with the inclusion of them in the aquarium. Especially a very large and deep aquarium. Whether it’s down to the fact of extra surface agitation or the fact some fish look like they are actively playing in the bubbles or it could be a combination of both. Without the added stones I’ve always had good surface agitation so haven’t experienced gasping due to lack of oxygen.

What are your takes on air pumps/stones ? A functional inclusion or just a spectacle ?

 

[Slaphppy7]

Personal preference, IMO...some like the bubbles, some don't...of course, if you use sponge filters, both are required

I don't run airstones in any of my tanks, but I DO keep battery-powered air pumps, airline, and airstones with my fish equipment, solely for emergencies (power outages)....with no filters running, they're the best source of surface agitation I can provide

Pumps/airstones are also useful when cycling tanks...many times, higher water temps will speed up the cycle, but warmer water holds less O2, which beneficial bacteria need...bubblers provide surface agitation = better gas exchange

 

[TwoTankAmin]

They not only agitate the surface, they also create current in a tank which helps with general circulation. Since most aeration devices are on the bottom of the tank they are pulling water from there towards the surface. In most cases that water contains the least dissolved oxygen and is also the coolest in the tank.

Fish are sensitive to current. When I work in tanks with hang=on filters, I removed the sponged intake to rinse the sponge so the flow from the filter stops. i will also rinse media and change floss if called for at the time. Because the water level will be dropped below the intakes, I do not restart the filters until the tank is being refilled. I am siphoning out water into a bucket to dump or directly down a drain. The fish and shrimp are drawn toward the intake because it is the sole source of strong flow of any sort in the tank. I have to be careful that nobody gets to ride the wild siphon.

I watch some fish swim to below the spraybar return from a canister. they then flaot up onto the current and ride acroos the tank. the will then submerge swim back and do it again. I have watched discus swim straight into the flow head on and when they get near the output then they turn sideways and sail back across the tank in the current.

Who can say when fish swim into the bubbles if they are taking the up elevator or being "tickled" by bubbles or both?