Using Air Pump/ Air Stone

Discussion in 'Filters, Pumps, etc..' started by rbok, Oct 1, 2009.

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  1. rbok

    rbok Spanish Shawl Nudibranch

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    Ok, so you will have to forgive me for this...after years of owning freshwater tanks growing up and having one for a while before my saltwater tank, I am curious the effects of having an air stone running in my saltwater. My girls are asking why I have no bubbles in my saltwater tank. So I put a stone in and ran it for a while, then read around on some other places that it can effect Ph and such....can anyone provide any insight? Thanks.
     
    rbok, Oct 1, 2009
    rbok, Oct 1, 2009
    #1

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  2. oceanparadise1

    oceanparadise1 Fire Squid

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    it can affect ph and saltlevels as well by causing excess saltcreep id take it out
     
    oceanparadise1, Oct 1, 2009
    oceanparadise1, Oct 1, 2009
    #2
  3. Matt Rogers

    Matt Rogers Kingfish

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    Where is the insight he his asking for?

    If you can stand the creep and bubbles, I would think an air-stone would help ORP for what that is worth.
     
    Matt Rogers, Oct 1, 2009
    Matt Rogers, Oct 1, 2009
    #3
  4. the fisherman

    the fisherman Vlamingii Tang

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    +1 with matt
     
    the fisherman, Oct 1, 2009
    the fisherman, Oct 1, 2009
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  5. missionsix

    missionsix Super Moderator Staff Member

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    If I were to run an airstone in my display, I would make sure that 0 current interrupted the bubbles on the way to the surface. If you can keep a tidy stream of bubbles, most issues will be nill. I like the look of an airstone if done right. Just not for my aquarium. I like to have a lot of flow. Micro-bubbles can irritate corals and sometimes can be a catalyst to pop-eye. For the most part, salt creep is the biggest worry. You can fluctuate your ph just by opening your front door. I say go for it, just don't have powerheads blowing bubbles all over your tank. It may increase your evaporation rate a tad......;D
     
    missionsix, Oct 1, 2009
    missionsix, Oct 1, 2009
    #5
  6. PackLeader

    PackLeader Giant Squid

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    Airstones are highly effective and beneficial in SW, with their effectiveness even more so than fresh water.
    The only effect it would have on PH is by if you have artificially raised it with additives to over compensate a low oxygen level. Low oxygen will cause low PH. An airstone will help provide the correct amount of oxygen, stabilize PH, get that ORP up. It helps both the fish and the beneficial bacteria responsible for the nitrogen cycle.
     
    PackLeader, Oct 1, 2009
    PackLeader, Oct 1, 2009
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  7. rbok

    rbok Spanish Shawl Nudibranch

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    Matt- wow, that is a quite a read, that counts as my science lesson for the month...haha!

    Thanks for all the input everyone!!
     
    rbok, Oct 1, 2009
    rbok, Oct 1, 2009
    #7
  8. bioreefdude

    bioreefdude Fu Manchu Lion Fish

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    i added my airstone to my sump with hopes of getting my ph up as luna's great ph/airstone test coached me into added an air stone ....
     
    bioreefdude, Oct 1, 2009
    bioreefdude, Oct 1, 2009
    #8