Does an air stone necessary in the tank ?

Discussion in 'New To The Hobby' started by minajaguar, Apr 16, 2012.

to remove this notice and enjoy 3reef content with less ads. 3reef membership is free.

  1. minajaguar

    minajaguar Spaghetti Worm

    Joined:
    Apr 7, 2012
    Messages:
    188
    Does an air stone necessary in the tank ?
    i have a powerhead directed towards the water surface and top filter which it mix air with water after flowing to the tank .
     

    Attached Files:

    Last edited: Apr 16, 2012
    minajaguar, Apr 16, 2012
    minajaguar, Apr 16, 2012
    #1

    2. Click Here!

  2. Renee@LionfishLair

    Renee@LionfishLair 3reef Sponsor

    Joined:
    May 16, 2010
    Messages:
    2,895
    Location:
    Coastal So. cal
    No, it is not necessary.
     
    Renee@LionfishLair, Apr 16, 2012
    Renee@LionfishLair, Apr 16, 2012
    #2
  3. dienerman

    dienerman Corkscrew Tentacle Anemone

    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2011
    Messages:
    719
    Location:
    West Chester, Pennsylvania
    It does not seem like one would be needed. Most people i know do not use them. As long as there is good flow in the tank, particularly causing turbulence at the surface, that should be more than sufficient.
     
    dienerman, Apr 16, 2012
    dienerman, Apr 16, 2012
    #3
  4. pink4miss

    pink4miss Panda Puffer

    Joined:
    May 11, 2010
    Messages:
    2,115
    Location:
    Bucks County, Pa
    airstones.... most think they are putting oxygen into the water, but their effectiveness in tanks is by disturbing the surface of the water. a power head faced to the water surface will do a better job.

    imo its good to have an airstone on hand that operates by battery for possible power outages.
     
    pink4miss, Apr 16, 2012
    pink4miss, Apr 16, 2012
    #4
  5. HollyG

    HollyG Teardrop Maxima Clam

    Joined:
    Jun 20, 2011
    Messages:
    824
    Location:
    Canada
    Oxygen is added into a tank by surface agitation not by mixing air with the water in the form of bubbles. The only way an air stone adds oxygen to a tank is when it causes surface agitation when the bubbles pop at the surface. Pointing a powerhead at the surface does a better job than an air stone could.
    So, no the air stone is not needed. When the bubbles pop at the surface it is just going to fling saltwater everywhere.
     
    HollyG, Apr 16, 2012
    HollyG, Apr 16, 2012
    #5