Air Stone

[Sesshis_grl]

Does anyone know why an airstone would just stop working? It was working fine for a month and now bubbles are only coming out of one half and the other has no bubbles what so ever. I tried rinsing it but it didn't seem to have an effect

 

[BigbruiserAl]

Cheap air stones clog up very common just replace with another

 

[lucasluke]

Like above I had a cheap one that was about 1.50 and it started to clog up within a few weeks.

 

[Sesshis_grl]

Is there any way to fix this? I don't mind buying a new one for now, but they are like 5-6 ish bucks? not something I want to keep rebuying. If not is there a good brand that lasts for a while?

Thanks!

 

[Aqua Tom]

Is there any way to fix this? I don't mind buying a new one for now, but they are like 5-6 ish bucks? not something I want to keep rebuying. If not is there a good brand that lasts for a while?

Thanks!

5-6ish bucks? That is not a cheap price. Find a different supplier. Ebay is your friend.

 

[lucasluke]

5-6 is not a cheap price. 1 or 2 is a cheap price. You should try find another brand.

 

[DavidAl]

As already mentioned, the air stone is most likely clogged; however, it wouldn't hurt to check the actual air pump. Sometimes the diaphragms inside the pump goes bad. If the pump has gotten louder, this may be the issue. If this is the case, the air is taking the path of least resistance, which is the side of the stone that is the least clogged. You may also want to try one of the wooden air stones. I have never used one, but have read positive reviews.

David

 

[Sesshis_grl]

thanks!

 

[raptorrex]

if you have a check valve, give it a look.
as for stones clogging? I've never found that to be true, except after several years..
how does something that has air blowing through it, get clogged?
the only way is if the air being pumped is dirty.
change and clean you air pumps filter (yes it does have one).
I've never paid more than £1.99 for an air stone. and i only ever change one if its broken.
I've had two in 7 years and one still works fine.

more often than not, its the pump, or check valve, that requires attention.
the bellows get gummed up, as do the one-way valves.

 

[ripil]

thats good advice above. my air stones got clogged so changed the air stone a few times (i got 8 air stones for some reason) thought i'd check the pump and yes the filter was clogged. have you got a non return valve on the airline?

 

[Sesshis_grl]

no I do not have the check valve, they told me it wasn't really necessary. And no I didn't know that you had to clean the filter I'll have to look at the info sheet if I still have it, and see what the maintenance side says.

I have this kind of pump http/www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3742976&lmdn=Brand

and this airstone http/www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3813197&lmdn=Product+Type

Turns out it was 2.88 not 5 bucks, sorry! bought this a while ago

 

[raptorrex]

no I do not have the check valve, they told me it wasn't really necessary. And no I didn't know that you had to clean the filter I'll have to look at the info sheet if I still have it, and see what the maintenance side says.

I have this kind of pump http/www.petsmart....2976&lmdn=Brand

and this airstone http/www.petsmart....dn=Product+Type

Turns out it was 2.88 not 5 bucks, sorry! bought this a while ago

if the pump is below the later level, and gets switched off, check valves are vital. let me guess, advice from petsmart?

my honest advice? get yourself a better quality pump.

 

[Sesshis_grl]

Indeed! haha I usually don't listen to a word they say, but here we are. I got a cheapo one because I wasn't really anticipating getting one in the first place. The pump itself seems to be working fine tho. It is at middle water level and the tubing dips down into a U before going to the pump...so not sure if that makes a difference? I haven't had problems but buying a check valve isn't a big deal. I bought a new airstone for the hell of it and its working, so maybe it was the old airstone not the pump? idk can you recommend a good brand pump/airstone? The only other brand I've seen besides TopFin is Elite, but I've never used any of their products

Also I checked the manual and the pump itself and there doesn't seem to be a way of opening it. And the sheet says nothing about maintenance

 

[Wilky87]

Your pump is at the height of half the water level? If your power cuts, that pump will siphon the water from your tank... Half Way! Its worth buying a check valve

 

[raptorrex]

Indeed! haha I usually don't listen to a word they say, but here we are. I got a cheapo one because I wasn't really anticipating getting one in the first place. The pump itself seems to be working fine tho. It is at middle water level and the tubing dips down into a U before going to the pump...so not sure if that makes a difference? I haven't had problems but buying a check valve isn't a big deal. I bought a new airstone for the hell of it and its working, so maybe it was the old airstone not the pump? idk can you recommend a good brand pump/airstone? The only other brand I've seen besides TopFin is Elite, but I've never used any of their products

Also I checked the manual and the pump itself and there doesn't seem to be a way of opening it. And the sheet says nothing about maintenance

Elite are said to be one of the better brands. though i cant speak through experience.
but Rena, Tetra and Hagen all make pumps, and most have good reviews.
personally I'm always sceptical of LOW cost OWN brand products. and it does not help, for me, this having the petsmart log attached.