Air stone bubblers in reef tank

[TikiBird]

I know this is weird for saltwater tanks, but I’ve been thinking about putting an air stone/bubble wall type thing in my BioCube 29. When I’ve had temporary air stones in, my clownfish are more active (might just be that I notice them more, idk) and my cleaner shrimp likes playing in the bubbles. Also I think it looks cool (but I know many would disagree with me there). [emoji23]

I saw another thread here that mentioned that using airstones might change the pH of the water, depending on the amount of CO2 in the air? I’m not sure. @brandon429 was explaining but I don’t quite understand. [emoji15]

I’m just wondering if it’s a bad idea to permanently use an air stone in a saltwater tank? (Other than aesthetics—I know reef aquarists tend to like a more natural look)...

 

[germs101]

If you like the look of it go for it!

 

[Flippers4pups]

It would be a personal choice, but the reason most wouldn’t is micro bubbles in the water irritating corals. The other downside is salt spray from bubbles bursting, getting on everything.

If you can manage that, I’d say go for it.

 

[reefpaddy]

It would be a personal choice, but the reason most wouldn’t is micro bubbles in the water irritating corals. The other downside is salt spray from bubbles bursting, getting on everything.

If you can manage that, I’d say go for it.

Have to disagree with micro bubbles irritating corals. Micro bubble scrubbing is seeing a rise in popularity these days and although I don’t have a lot of corals in my tank at the moment and I scrub on the reverse light cycle, the corals that are active during attinic hour(s) and beyond don’t seem bothered by it. Just my observation.

So really for OP, personal preference so if you like the look of it, then go for it until you don’t.

 

[Roy 9121]

The only problem I could see is, the air bubbles seems to stick on the glass in a salt water tank.

 

[Chalice Kingdom]

Salt spray would be your biggest problem.

 

[ReeferMaddness843]

I do scrubbing bubbles off cycle as well. It’s for about 6 hours during light off cycle. I have wood air stones in the sump by return pump, far enough away they don’t pull most of the micro bubbles, but I get the Nano bubbles. I’ve seen no ill effects of it.

 

[biecacka]

I too implement bubble scrubbing. Filter socks get dirty faster as the bubbles attach to debris and whatnot which then make their way to the drain into the sock

Corey

 

[Rakie]

people use micro bubbles at night, it aerates water more, and some corals slime heavily from it as well.

 

[Flippers4pups]

I’m not saying those of you have this condition in your system, but there is plenty of information on forums across the net discussing micro bubbles and tissue loss in acropora and montipora SPS colonies. Even LPS trapping air in their mouths and tissue loss.

If the bubble concentrations are great enough and flow is reduced, micro bubbles get trapped on the underside the colonies and have been recorded to damage tissue to the point of tissue loss. Sliming of the tissue is reported to trap bubbles to the tissue, resulting in damage. Not entire coral loss, but damage.

Now, if your flow is great enough to keep these bubbles from forming and getting trapped in your coral or you haven’t experienced this happening to your corals in your system, then your golden.

Just relating what I’ve read of others experiences, some good and some not so good. Your call.

 

[TikiBird]

Thank you so much for your advice, everyone! [emoji106] I might try it out and see if the salt buildup is too much for me to want to deal with (or if I notice any other ill effects.) Thanks again! [emoji1]

 

[Cruz_Arias]

Hello Here's a pretty decent video on the method...

 

[Cruz_Arias]

LOL... it is funny but there are no photo evidence nor RTN or STN issues that have been documented with Bubbling using Fresh Air...
The skeptics plant seeds of doubt without experience that had spread those inaccuracies utilizing the method... Those who implemented the bubbling using CO2 rich indoor air also have had the issues because they are re-dissolving CO2 back INTO their water column... thus exacerbating the pH slump which is one of the primary causes of STN and RTN.


Also, bubble size and control is key... if you turn your system into a Jacuzzi, not my fault that directions cannot be followed.

Cheers!

I’m not saying those of you have this condition in your system, but there is plenty of information on forums across the net discussing micro bubbles and tissue loss in acropora and montipora SPS colonies. Even LPS trapping air in their mouths and tissue loss.

If the bubble concentrations are great enough and flow is reduced, micro bubbles get trapped on the underside the colonies and have been recorded to damage tissue to the point of tissue loss. Sliming of the tissue is reported to trap bubbles to the tissue, resulting in damage. Not entire coral loss, but damage.

Now, if your flow is great enough to keep these bubbles from forming and getting trapped in your coral or you haven’t experienced this happening to your corals in your system, then your golden.

Just relating what I’ve read of others experiences, some good and some not so good. Your call.

 

[bigkamp]

I know this is weird for saltwater tanks, but I’ve been thinking about putting an air stone/bubble wall type thing in my BioCube 29. When I’ve had temporary air stones in, my clownfish are more active (might just be that I notice them more, idk) and my cleaner shrimp likes playing in the bubbles. Also I think it looks cool (but I know many would disagree with me there). [emoji23]

I saw another thread here that mentioned that using airstones might change the pH of the water, depending on the amount of CO2 in the air? I’m not sure. @brandon429 was explaining but I don’t quite understand. [emoji15]

I’m just wondering if it’s a bad idea to permanently use an air stone in a saltwater tank? (Other than aesthetics—I know reef aquarists tend to like a more natural look)...

 

[Chris Weddle]

I know this is weird for saltwater tanks, but I’ve been thinking about putting an air stone/bubble wall type thing in my BioCube 29. When I’ve had temporary air stones in, my clownfish are more active (might just be that I notice them more, idk) and my cleaner shrimp likes playing in the bubbles. Also I think it looks cool (but I know many would disagree with me there). [emoji23]

I saw another thread here that mentioned that using airstones might change the pH of the water, depending on the amount of CO2 in the air? I’m not sure. @brandon429 was explaining but I don’t quite understand. [emoji15]

I’m just wondering if it’s a bad idea to permanently use an air stone in a saltwater tank? (Other than aesthetics—I know reef aquarists tend to like a more natural look)...

I feel that the gas exchange is worth it in my 55 gallon, but what I did was put it in the Sump. I program it to run twice a day. The first time runs for 30 minutes between the refugium light going off and the display lights coming on, and the second time is for 30 minutes between the time the display lights go off and the refugium lights turning on. Also, when I want to check my flow patterns in the display, I set the stone next to the return pump and watch the bubbles throughout the display. It shows me where flow is strong and where its lacking, so I can make changes as needed when adding rock or coral. Keep in mind that as things grow, the water current gets obstructed by the growth which causes flow changes. This is just my experience and fun. Ive never heard of anyone doing it this way, but I feel that it helps keep my tank and the refugium happy. Anyone is welcome to contact me for questions. Have a great day everyone.
Chris Weddle

 

[attiland]

I run air in my last chamber of my AIO. I make sure the air is starting about an inch above the return pump. The main reason is there is a heater there ind this way I have great mixing there. This runs 24/7. I use very big bubbles and there is no micro bubble issue.
I also run air in all other chamber to stup film forming and works great for me. As per salt creep I use a peace of sponge above the water about 0.5 cm this stop it 90 percent.
It wasn’t the reason I have started it but of course it helps the PH to be stable. I have no more than 0.1 swings during the day.