Air Stones?

[candice]

Hey just wondering if anybody knows of any reason not to use air stones in guppy only tank. My husband noticed they were all a bit rosy cheeked this morning and hanging near the top. It is a 10 gal. tank, 2 males, 4 females. ph 8, amm. 0, nitrites 0, nitrates 20. temp 76 (no heater). We added air stone today and actually they all seem to be enjoying themselves wildly in all the bubbles. Just to be on the safe side though, I wanted to see if there was any reason that these were a bad idea? Thank you, Candi

 

[modaz]

great for your fish leave it in as you say they love to play in the bubbles, it wont do any harm to them at all

 

[candice]

Thank you for your fast reply. I didn't think it would hurt but I am still learning so I like to have the advice of more experienced friends.

 

[*Fishkies*]

Yep a bubbler is a great addition to any tank. Your fish will enjoy it too!!

 

[iairj84]

My fish love the CO2 bubbles my airstone gives off, some people think the bubbles look tacky and unnatural but I dont really mind. Unless you have a planted tank I wouldnt worry about it.

 

[theotheragentm]

It's not CO2 that comes out of the air stone. Well, some of it is, but it's air. CO2 is good for plants as plants need CO2, light, and nutrients to product oxygen in the water. The bubblers help with the oxygen suppy in the tank, not so much by dissolving the bubbles into the water, but breaking the film on the surface of the water to allow oxygen to dissolve into the water. The actual surface does not have to be visibly broken by a bubble. Just a wave is sufficient for breaking the film to allow oxygen to diffuse across the water's surface.

All that science tank aside, bubblers are enjoyed by fish and even snails. You'll see fish swim in the bubbles a lot of times. My Mystery Snail will ride the bubbles as well.

 

[iairj84]

I realize it's not CO2 in most instances but mine is CO2, it's hooked up to a DIY CO2 Tank.

 

[theotheragentm]

I realize it's not CO2 in most instances but mine is CO2, it's hooked up to a DIY CO2 Tank.

Do you have pictures on that set up? I was about to get a pressurized CO2 tank. I think they're more cost effective in the long run, but I wasn't sure which way I wanted to go still. Do you have a kit or is it pure do-it-yourself?

 

[iairj84]

I could take pictures if you really wanted but their isnt much to see... I use a 1 liter bottle with my 20 gallon and will eventually get a diffuser for it but currently am using a airstone... I have it runningng behind a piece of driftwood so it isnt visible.