Burying Airstone In Gravel?

[ey2006]

Hi, this may seem like a silly question, but I'll ask anyway to get some assurance!

I've got a 120cm bendible (flexible) air stone tube in my tank, all this time, I've just put it at the bottom of the tank, it sits on top of the gravel.

My LFS recommended that I actually bury the whole 120cm airstone with gravel so that, a) it saves some space, B) fish don't have to bump into or get tangled in the air stone, c) it looks nicer

I just buried the airstone with gravel and my question is if this has any consequences on the water quality or the air pump? I've noticed that the air pump is making a slightly louder noise now that I've buried the air stone.

Just wondering if this is bad on the air pump or the tank and fish in general?

Does anyone also bury their airstone with gravel? Any problems?

 

[Marcos]

Does anyone also bury their airstone with gravel? Any problems?

Yes and no!

 

[jarmado]

i buried 5 of my airstones.

 

[smmetz]

I burried mine in my 29 gallon - the only difference I notices was much bigger bubbles, but much fewer bubbles. I guess most of the fine bubbles combine before they get clear of the gravel. It seemed to work well for me, before I took the airstone out.

 

[Kairi]

i bury all mine. the bubbles look cooler, it's more fun for the fish to play in as there aren't as many bubbles, but they are bigger. and i've never had problems with it

 

[Phoenixfish]

wouldnt the stony bit get cloged faster tho? just wondrring

 

[EasterIslandMan]

I also buried mine, and I didn't have a problem with it. The only thing that happened was that eventually the stone broke. I thought that was very strange, and since then I got an ordament(sp?) that releases air.

 

[Kairi]

the stones will prolly break after a while... i figure if you don't mess with it- it'll be fine

 

[kramers]

Ihad tried it on my 10 and 55g and it did seem like they clogged a bit faster, but the bubbles are bigger and more interesting.