Airstones

[FishWishDish]

What should newbies look for in equipping an aquarium with airstones?

 

[LuckyCricketMafia]

A pump rated for your size aquarium, tubing, and air stones or some other alternative (bubble wand, pirate chest ect)...... is that what you are looking for?

I personally don't use air stones unless it gets hot, my hob and powerhead give more then enough surface agitation.

 

[DiscusKeeper403]

Airstones are only needed when giving some types of medication. They increase surface agitation and aerate the water. Very tiny bubbles are best when adding oxygen. It can be used when water temperature increases (fish need more oxygen in hotter water.) But simply placing a tub of ice on-top of the water will work better (This will cool the water down and oxygen isn't needed.)

 

[merry78]

Airstones create surface agitation which enables gas exchange. A filter powerhead that breaks the surface of the water does the same job, usually much more efficiently. Airstones' primary benefit is to make the aquarium look pretty, as the increased gas exchange requirements that come from high temperatures, medications or overstocking, are usually better taken care of with a powerhead agitating the surface. Gas exchange via bubbles in the water column (ie before the bubbles break the surface) is comparatively low, whereas disturbing the water surface creates gas exchange across the entire water surface.

 

[Behold]

I use my airdisk as a looks thing but it really is strong.... and so i now use this and the spray bar is nearly under so i get a bit of both