Airstone...what's its purpose??

[Scarab]

What purpose does an airstone actually serve? Is it necessary? Does it depend on the size of tank, type of fish, type of filter, personal aesthetic preference of the owner, or all of the above?

Thanks.

 

[Kissifish]

The airstone helps keep your tank oxygenated by providing surface water movement. Fish that are lacking in 02 tend to hang at the top of the tank and gasp for air.

Not for sure, but I think betas can do without them. Most other fish need the extra water movement. Your filter may provide all the surface movement you need. You just need to observe your fish and tank and judge for yourself.

Bubble curtains/rods are quite nice to look at btw. I'm all for them as I don't like the individual stones myself. Just a matter of opinion as to which.

 

[Scarab]

Thanks for the info...I was thinking in terms for when I get a larger community tank in the future. Not for my bettas. The curtains do seem like a better idea.

Now, if you have bio-wheel, then the airstone wouldn't be necessary, right?

 

[Kissifish]

I don't know if the bio-wheel helps with surface water movement/oxygenation. I know its main purpose is to provide more surface area for good bacteria to live on. I haven't converted to a bio-wheel type filter yet. They all seem a little pricey. Maybe something to condsider for future upgrade. Haven't heard anything negative about them.

 

[George Farmer]

I beleive airstones are purely aesthetic unless they are part of the filtration i.e. air powered under gravel. The vast majority of oxygen obtained by the fish is done by the water surface area. If there is significant surface movement then the area is bigger and thus more oxygen is available. If you are growing plants then airstones are not recommmended as they drive out the available CO2.

 

[Scarab]

Thanks gf225, that's good to know about the plants.

 

[guppymonkey]

Airstones are all about oxygen in the water. They disturb the surface of the water which helps more oxygen to become dissolved in the water. Power filters disturb the top of the water so on most tanks airstones are not really needed. I don't think biowheels have anything to do with oxygenating the tank. They are more about bacteria for cycling the tank.

 

[snotirl]

The air goes true the air stone and it makes it stretch along the tank to give it a bubbly effect!