I have yet to have a tank myself that doesn't have some sort of agitation from the filter being used. Therefore I have found air stones to be unnecessary and more an object of aesthetics.
Do air stones REALLY provide oxygen to the tank?
- Thread starter unseenone00
- Start date
It is true that with enough surface agitation from a filter air stones are not NEEDED. However, like with filters, more is always better. You may have enough aeration from the filter to keep the fish from gasping at the surface, but that doesn't mean it couldn't be better. The other issue is that if that filter ever stops then what? Like I have said before, I have seen tanks saved when the filter stopped because they had air stones, and others lose fish within hours because they didn't.
I forgot about hydroponics, another example of bubbles themselves actively aerating.
I forgot about hydroponics, another example of bubbles themselves actively aerating.
Any HOB will outdo an airstone and a powerhead combine, FME. However, you can't hurt a tank by having an airstone, and they DO help oxygenate the water.
Seeing as my current filter is basically a modified airstone (sponge filter) I don't think it really matters...
I'm also a proponent of running multiple filters on larger tanks anyways. So unless I have the worst luck ever and every filter decides to stop at the same time then I think I will manage...
I am going to have two filters on my
Tank so I feel the same! Plus I have a dislike of air stones and feel they look a bit cheap. I am sure that people have them in beautiful tanks but you won't ever see one in my tanks.
Tony
Don't you also have heavily planted tanks? These help tremendously with filtration, and also, airstones are not recommended in a heavily planted tank except perhaps at night.
All my recent tanks have been pretty well planted, yes, but airstones are really only disadvantageous when running CO2.
My current tank (singular, unfortunately) has just the sponge filter, lots of plants, and is overstocked by my own standards. I do think the plants are keeping things at bay for the time being.
Yes, airstones work. And honestly a airstone+ pump will likely be cheaper than any powerhead you can buy. You can get an airstone for .99c, tubing for .99c and a pump for as little at like $7... Looks good IMO and it provides oxygen.
