Are Airstones Obsolete?

[DiscusKeeper403]

Air stones have been replaced with filters. Filters are better for these reasons:

Not on do they aerate the water, but they (supposing you have the regular filter mediums):

Discoloration (tannins, ect.)
Collect waste
Collect fine particles
Gather good bacteria
Can help remove ammonia (again depending on filter mediums)


Those are all of the things I can think of off the top of my head, but there are probably more.

I wouldn't have thought anyone was suggesting using an air stone OR a filter - surely?

I am just suggesting, why use an airstone when a filter does everything an airstone does- and more! (Unless you are using it for esthetic purposes)

 

[8inary]

good question though.

however for all the reasons ive given, id rather keep the airstones as well. even if it is just for back up if the filters packed up, although mine is running 3 large cans. that said, it still pushes water around the tank, refreshing the areas not normally reached.....and all the other reasons ive listed above.

to be honest, the water quality in my tank is perfect, or as i say, mineral quality, so im leaving it all alone lol...vid of my tank...

http/www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLGa8d9L1SY

 

[shelaghfishface]

do u run 18 on the one tank ??

 

[8inary]

yup, but the tank isnt a small tank, it is a large tank.

http/www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLGa8d9L1SY

i have a hiblow airpump pushing 4000ltrs/hour out, and a 18 tap manifold which then goes onto the various air curtains.

 

[three-fingers]

Airstones used to 'oxygenate' the water just basically cause ripples where the bubbles break the waters surface, increasing the surface area of the water and allowing more places for gaseous exchange, if the water isn't already saturated with oxygen - which it will be in some tanks that are shallower and with large surface area - then this does oxygenate the water and allow more fish to be kept in a particular volume, or allow high-oxygen requirement species like hillstream loaches.

However, when people are talking about their fish being 'addicted' here, I suspect that it's just a case of the surface area to volume ratio on their tank not being the best possible, and so when the airpump is turned off there's not enough oxygen for the number of fish in the tank (notice this doesn't affect things like bettas).


It's not about the fish actually being addicted to high oxygen levels - It's the tank having too low oxygen levels without the airpump.

 

[raptorrex]

It's not about the fish actually being addicted to high oxygen levels - It's the tank having too low oxygen levels without the airpump.

you know, that point had never occurred to me, thanks!

 

[oakes]

I don't need them and don't like them.
Personally i think a stream of air bubbles shooting up through the water column looks unnatural.
Secondly my filters are almost silent, and despite the labelling on air pumps which inevitably claim something like 'whisper quiet' i have never found one that didn't annoy the crap outta me!
However they are very handy for hospital tanks or transporting fish (including bait! )

 

[8inary]

I don't need them and don't like them.
Personally i think a stream of air bubbles shooting up through the water column looks unnatural.
Secondly my filters are almost silent, and despite the labelling on air pumps which inevitably claim something like 'whisper quiet' i have never found one that didn't annoy the crap outta me!
However they are very handy for hospital tanks or transporting fish (including bait! )

dont buy cheap ones then lol then it will be quiet 'joking', even though i have a big airpump and 3 large external cans, my tank is quieter than my finance's 2.1/2ft tank, in fact, you cannot really hear much from mine.

 

[rachael.chesnutt]

I use an airstone and I have a rather small tank, but I like the way it looks and the fish like to 'ride' on it. They literally swim to the bottom and hop into the bubbles and shoot up to the surface. It's the funniest thing ever! I don't think you do need them, but I like them.

 

[8inary]

you dont think? you either do or dont lol and advise us on what basis you think that lol

 

[spesh]

I'm thinking of getting one for an air curtain or two, am a little concerned about the surface area available on my corner tank vs the actual volume.

Am sure it cant hurt! Just need to find a quiet one

 

[puppyjess123]

Bit off the topic but how do u get your plants to grow

 

[spesh]

I'm thinking of getting one for an air curtain or two, am a little concerned about the surface area available on my corner tank vs the actual volume.

Am sure it cant hurt! Just need to find a quiet one

God i'm so patient, not

Just went and bought a little pump and 5" air tubey thing and chucked it in, quite appealing looking i have to say Tigh doesn't quite know what to make of it though so I expect a bit of redecorating to happen

 

[8inary]

spesh - next you will be buying a treasure chest that has a pop up lid, and start shouting my bubbles, my bubbles lol 'if you saw finding nemo, you'll know what i mean'

i give a big thumbs up for air stones/curtains, as you can tell by my tank lol

http/www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLGa8d9L1SY

 

[raptorrex]

I use the air curtain for more than just looks. if you place one across the back of your tank. i have found that the current it makes, draws the loose waste and wood pulp (from my plecos) to the back of the tank. making it much easer to keep the substrate clean.