Air Pump w/ stones, need them or not

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star2one

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Jun 9, 2004
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I just bought a Penguin 330 w/ dual bio-wheel filteration for my 39 gal. tank. I've read and heard different beliefs on Air Pumps w/ air stones. My questions are this:

Do I need an air pump and air stones for my filter to get enough oxygen? -am I turning enough water without an air pump?

Are there any additional benefits to having an air pump. -for the fish not for decoration.

I've used a air pump with two air stones up until the Penguin 330, but I figure my air to water ratio should be fine without it.

Besides my wife likes that it makes no noise vs. "yeah it's pretty quiet."

Thank as always.

P.S.

The cloudiness seems to have worked itself out since a water change and the Penquin 330 arrived.
 
In short, no. You don't need an airstone. Your water gets plenty of oxygen saturation without them, due to the filter. It isn't actually the bubbles the airstones make that provide oxygen, but rather the surface turbulance that they create. Water moving at the surface allows for greater exchange of gas between the atmospheric air and the water.

If the tank becomes very warm (in the summer or during treatment that uses high temps), you may choose to add an airstone temporarily because hot water holds less oxygen than cooler water.

Also, if your tank is overcrowded, there will be greater demand for oxygen and you can add an airstone to help with that. However, as we know, if this is the case, you should spend your time trying to move your fish instead of setting up an airstone:p
 
Bubbles can add an interesting look to what might be a boring tank. Larger bubbles - not the small misting type - from underneath driftwood looks good. Vary the air flow with a valve and you can get a nice effect.
I wouldn't use air bubbles with live plants.
 
Some fish actually need the extra current, and fish like my Goldfish in the summer really would be lost without an airstone. But for the most part it is optional.

Here are just a few threads on the forums regarding airstones:

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=30788

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=23319

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=20102

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=19625

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2705

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1468


PS: I am bookmarking this thread so that whenever someone asks a question about air stones, I will show them this thread with all these links to other threads. :p
 
The Leopardess is right...surface agitaition is the best way to bring oxygen into your water column. Me and many others have also found that the extra circulation (in tanks like 10G that have tiny Whisper filters on them,) does a good deal for the current when not hooked up to airstones. I simply connect the air hose to the side of the tank with one of those Airline Holders the Lee's makes.

None of that really applies in your situation, however...But that's why I use air.
 
I just got one for my 10g betta tank. I had a problem on the left side because the filter was on the right side. The water wasn't getting enough current and the water on the left side wasn't getting filtered as much so I went and bought an airstone to try if it would fix this and it did :)
 
I have a bubble curtain. It suction cups to the back of the tank and there is more bubbling area.

Just a thought, you could make your own bubbler, I'll tell you how. You need a plastic soda bottle of any kind, with a lid. All you have to do is cut the tip with the lid off of the bottle, and poke a few holes in the lid, stick the air tube under the lid, if you can get the plastic to sink. But then, it's probably easier to just buy an air curtan or stone.
 
I'm with RTR and Leopardess on this one. There isn't a "need at all. Airstones accomplish something that can be done in a multitude of different ways. I do not use them in any of my tanks and haven't since I discovered powerheads about 16 years ago (I'm a ugf guy all the way). If you like the look, they have their place, other than that they aren't necessary. Filters, powerheads, and even heater placement will all effect current, any surface turbulence will take care of gas exchange, and you bio-wheels are so good at oxygenation that they are avoided by virtually everyone who injects co2. I use tall tanks, and have no circulation or o2 issues.
 
Hey I have a stupid question regarding air stones.

Can you use them with a sand substrate, or do they just create too much turbulence and churn up the bottom. I'd like to bury a stone under the sand but I'm not sure if this will work out too well...
 
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