Air Stone in a Saltwater Mixed Reef??

does anyone use an air pump with a stone in a saltwater mixed reef?
If so what is the reason, benefits, consequences?

Thanks

 

if you're a fan of the streaming bubbles as thats all it really does. if your goal is to promote gas exchange there is nothing that will do this more efficiently than surface agitation. point a couple powerheads towards the surface of your water and that will be more than enough. air pumps and air stones don't do much.

 

that's what i figured. I have two powerheads on a wavermaker in 30 second intervals pointing at the surface....and i ran a hose from my skimmers intake to the outside of the cabinet/sump so that it could get better/fresher air.

I saw a youtube video last night and someone had one in their reef and it made me wonder if i was missing something.

Thanks again

 

I use open ended air lines in all my seahorse tanks, partly to give the surface more turbulence for the gas exchange and partly to help keep food in motion longer when I turn pumps and power heads off for feeding.
I don't use air stones as it promotes more salt creep and isn't as efficient as larger bubbles at increasing the turbulence at the surface.

 

I use one airstone in my sump, but I bury it in the middle of my chaeto. This allows the chaeto to get some water movement in the middle of the mass of spaghetti. Once I did this, blammo my chaeto grows like crazy.

 

Interesting I may try that.

OP:
I keep an air pump around for various uses. Hatching live brine, can't use the main pump , temporary tank ect.

 

I used an air pump to mix salt in a five gallon bucket. I did this for four years.

 

Wow, really? Even I gave up air stones.

In the early days, air stones provided some circulation, surface agitation, and fresh air "under the hood", as most tanks had the typical full cover/strip light combo. As already mentioned however, salt creep would be their most notable accomplishment in today's world.

 

Matt did the same with great results. He started a thread on it several months ago.

 

Can't believe I never thought of this.