Ideas for air stones?

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Kribin

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jan 11, 2006
6
0
0
47
OHIO
Was thinking about putting in some air stones in a new aquarium Im setting up. I was wondering if you guys had some unique or different ideas of where to place an airstone or two instead of just attaching to the side of the glass. Can you somehow bury them? THANKS!
 
Howdy and Welcome to MFK!

Since you posted this question in the planted section, I assume you have a planted tank. Generally, it is not always advisable to use air stones in a planted tank with demanding plant species, since it drives out the CO2 from solution. Although you may not have a CO2 system, this might reduce the baseline CO2 in your tank. Furthermore, there might not be a need for aeration, depending on your filtration, the fish you keep, the amount of plants and the size of your tank.

Assuming you just like the looks: There is no limit as to where you put an air stone. You can even cover it with some gravel and hide the tubing this way. I personally like it best if the viewer cannot see where the air comes from, i.e. hide it behind a rock .

Have fun trying things out,

HarleyK

ps
In case you don't have one, yet: Get a valve to hook up along the tubing between your pump and the aquarium. It prevent backflow and, thus, draining and/or damage if the pump stops.
 
I agree with HarleyK. I have 2 long air stones, they are 10" each in the back center of my 55 gal. Not only does it provide more oxygen to the tank, but also aids in water movement. I also have on 10" in my 45g Hex tank for the same purpose. I only use plastic plants so the CO2 isn't a factor in my tank. I also love the way they look. I tried one of those bubble wands, but didn't like it as much, the wands only produce small, micro bubbles, whereas the stones produce larger bubbles. The pump I bought for the larger tank has 2 outputs on it. Can't remember the brand or manufacturer, but can find out if you want it.
 
Thanks for the responses guys!! Actually I thought aquascaping meant the entire tank setup. My bad if I put it in the wrong place. I have plastic plants right now. But that is good info for the planted.
 
sweet water make an awsome airstone

Sweetwater® diffusers are the highest quality ceramic-type air diffusers on the market today. They're machined from a solid block of glass-bonded silica. Because dust and dirt particles up to 30 microns in size will pass right through these diffusers, there's no need for expensive air filters.

They produce a uniform medium/fine bubble and are very resistant to clogging. And when cleaning does become necessary because of a buildup of calcium precipitate or bacteria, an acid bath restores them to like-new performance. Two-year guarantee. Made in USA.


http://www.aquaticeco.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/product.detail/iid/9595/cid/2273
 
Kribin said:
Actually I thought aquascaping meant the entire tank setup. My bad if I put it in the wrong place. I have plastic plants right now.

Howdy,

My bad. I was getting over-excited about the possibility of another plant guy here :D C'm on, you can do it: plant your tank :grinyes: :grinyes: :grinyes:

HarleyK
 
Hmm, i was wondering about doing this but i wasn't sure. Say you found a very good piece of lace rock, very sponge like, as in a very porus rock, if you siliconed an airline tube to it, would it make like a big airstone? or would it just trap gases in it's parts?

I think that might be an interesting thing to try/see.
 
Howdy,

For anything to work like an air stone, it not only has to be porous, but the pores have to be connected. Example: A piece of cheese won't do the trick. With the lava rock you mentioned, that depends on how porous it actually is, which in turn depends on the conditions it was generated under. If the lava gassed out a lot, then it might work. You can always try - and keep us posted! But I've never seen it, which makes me think that it's not as easy as it might sound. Or you just discovered a new market :D
HarleyK
 
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