Air Stones.....?

[Owen386]

Hey All,


Very new to hobby, just started my first fishless cycle on new 20 gallon tank 7 days ago err.. long process.. anyways was just wondering on your guys inputs on using air stones in aquariums? little info: Boston = very hard water, wil be mediumishly planted, non-aggresive community, housing tetras, corries, etc.... Love any input, advice, options you would like to share Thanks! I love the look of the air stones bear in mind.

- Owen

 

[mbsqw1d]

HI Owen!

If you're going for the planted option AND you're injecting co2, then I'd say air stones are a bad thing.
An air stone bubbling away will only quicken the equilibrium of O2 and CO2 within the water than it would naturally via the water surface. You want as much co2 as possible for your plants, don't worry about the O2 level, as I'm sure you're aware, plants give off O2 when photosynthesising.

 

[Gvilleguy]

I, too, have heard that air bubbles in the water are not great for plants. However, for a fishless cycle, air bubbles are great. The filter bacteria love bubbles as they encourage more oxygen in the water.

 

[Aqua Tom]

I, too, have heard that air bubbles in the water are not great for plants. However, for a fishless cycle, air bubbles are great. The filter bacteria love bubbles as they encourage more oxygen in the water.

Yes the do, but no more so than having your filter "ripple" the water surface. Which is quieter & does not involve extra cost.


A~T