Airstones, Good or Terrible?

[Nasabeau]

so, I have always used airstones in fresh water. its just a great way to get o2 in and co2 out through the entire water column. when moving to salt water I read a lot that said bubbles are bad for salt water fish, but I also spoke with some people in the hobby that said that was really a myth. I figured better to be safe and not use one, but I've been having some trouble with my pH (running 8-7.8 on API chemical test, running 7.6-7.7 on the hanna pH meter) and now I am wondering if an airstone might help. I do have pretty good surface agitation but also a glass top, which while having an opening does limit the gas exchange to some degree. what are your opinions on having an airstone in the tank, and do you think it would help me?

 

[Brandon3152134]

Airstones in saltwater create really small bubbles not micro but small enough to irritate corals and make the water look really cloudy. Mabye if you put it in a sump or filter compartment?

 

[MW319]

I use an air stone in my QT tank and I hate the salt creep it creates.

 

[fishlover1478]

yeah the salt creep is horrible.

 

[Nasabeau]

Airstones in saltwater create really small bubbles not micro but small enough to irritate corals and make the water look really cloudy. Mabye if you put it in a sump or filter compartment?

I could actually maybe work it to make a small one go into the intake of my canister, but I'm worried that would screw up the impeller. are there other ways to raise my pH a little?

 

[Nasabeau]

I use an air stone in my QT tank and I hate the salt creep it creates.

I assume you mean the salt slowly goes up? sorry, I am really new. what would you recommend for my pH if not an airstone?

 

[Eric1493]

I only see a use for an airstone when aerating when doing some kind of treatment, eg, a formalin bath or prazipro. I don't see why you would put one in a DT, your pH seems fine to me.

 

[Adamantium]

As far as increasing CO2 dispersement, surface movement does loads more than an airstone, and you don’t have to worry about microbubbles or salt creep. Even better is getting an airline from your skimmer to the outdoors, or a CO2 scrubber.

 

[MW319]

I would ditch the glass top to Assist in the gas exchange.

 

[ReefPig]

so, I have always used airstones in fresh water. its just a great way to get o2 in and co2 out through the entire water column. when moving to salt water I read a lot that said bubbles are bad for salt water fish, but I also spoke with some people in the hobby that said that was really a myth. I figured better to be safe and not use one, but I've been having some trouble with my pH (running 8-7.8 on API chemical test, running 7.6-7.7 on the hanna pH meter) and now I am wondering if an airstone might help. I do have pretty good surface agitation but also a glass top, which while having an opening does limit the gas exchange to some degree. what are your opinions on having an airstone in the tank, and do you think it would help me?

All of those things are just as important in reef tanks as fresh water, but we call it a skimmer.

IMO that is the major benefit of a skimmer, gas exchange of massive volume, far more than surface movement can possibly achieve, and has the side benefit of removing some organics.
The big plus, is it's a controlled process inside a reactor which avoids salt creep.

I would only use air stone in my tank for emergency situations, as they're simply too messy and noisy on reef tanks.

You don't mention if you have a skimmer, if not, I would suggest you get one.
If you do have one, try running CO2 scrubbing material on the airline into the skimmer. I do this and it works wonders. I would run the pipe outside, but it's not possible where my tank is, so CO2 scrubber is the answer.

 

[boacvh]

I assume you mean the salt slowly goes up? sorry, I am really new. what would you recommend for my pH if not an airstone?

I think what meant was that with an airstone in saltwater, when the bubbles pop at surface the spray evaporates and creates a salt "crust" or what call salt creep, it gets pretty messy after a while.

 

[Paleozoic_reefer]

I assume you mean the salt slowly goes up? sorry, I am really new. what would you recommend for my pH if not an airstone?

@Nasabeau Salt creep refers to the salt accumulation that occurs, on lids or equipment, when saltwater evaporates from the popping bubbles on the surface.

 

[PicassoClown04]

I really like air stones for short-term use. I collected some critters in Florida and kept them happy and alive in a styrofoam cooler with an air bubbler. Fish, hermits, snails all made the 5 day trip back home to Texas with just the cooler, bubbler, and daily water changes

 

[Nasabeau]

All of those things are just as important in reef tanks as fresh water, but we call it a skimmer.

IMO that is the major benefit of a skimmer, gas exchange of massive volume, far more than surface movement can possibly achieve, and has the side benefit of removing some organics.
The big plus, is it's a controlled process inside a reactor which avoids salt creep.

I would only use air stone in my tank for emergency situations, as they're simply too messy and noisy on reef tanks.

You don't mention if you have a skimmer, if not, I would suggest you get one.
If you do have one, try running CO2 scrubbing material on the airline into the skimmer. I do this and it works wonders. I would run the pipe outside, but it's not possible where my tank is, so CO2 scrubber is the answer.

I do not have a skimmer yet. it is on the wish list, but they're pretty expensive. I'm looking at an octopus HOB 90, but haven't been able to afford it yet

 

[boacvh]

I do not have a skimmer yet. it is on the wish list, but they're pretty expensive. I'm looking at an octopus HOB 90, but haven't been able to afford it yet

I think in meantime the lowest cost option is to remove the glass cover for better exchange and open windows near the tank if possible. I don't think using an airstone will be detrimental at all short term if you want to, but just be aware it will create salt creep and you might have to clean that too.

 

[PicassoClown04]

Look on eBay and the for sale forums here. Places like craigslist, offerup, eBay, and Facebook marketplace will have em for really cheap sometimes, check often

I do not have a skimmer yet. it is on the wish list, but they're pretty expensive. I'm looking at an octopus HOB 90, but haven't been able to afford it yet

 

[Auquanut]

For me, gas exchange is hugely important. Unfortunately, canister filters add nothing in that department. If it were me, I would replace the glass tops with mesh, add that HOB skimmer as soon as possible, and increase surface agitation via power head. The added benefit is higher PH, but your evaporation will also increase dramatically.

 

[Nasabeau]

For me, gas exchange is hugely important. Unfortunately, canister filters add nothing in that department. If it were me, I would replace the glass tops with mesh, add that HOB skimmer as soon as possible, and increase surface agitation via power head. The added benefit is higher PH, but your evaporation will also increase dramatically.

I've already got a power head and the filter outlet pointed directly at the surface on opposite ends of the tank, I've got really good agitation, as for switiching the glass for mesh, I will definitely look into that. for now I will leave the top open to see if that helps much

 

[Nasabeau]

Look on eBay and the for sale forums here. Places like craigslist, offerup, eBay, and Facebook marketplace will have em for really cheap sometimes, check often

probably a bad idea making this post cause I get the sense someone is going to scoop it, but can anyone here tell me what is missing from this listing? if its really only missing a minor part or two, this seems like a killer deal

Reef Octopus Classic 90-HOB (Hang-on-Back) Protein Skimmer (Missing Minor piece) | eBay

Reef Octopus Classic 90-HOB (Hang-on-Back) Protein Skimmer (Missing Minor piece). Condition is considered used however the item has only been started to make sure it works properly. I believe a piece or 2 maybe missing like the air hose and sponge. The skimmer cup on top also has Minor damage as...

www.ebay.com

 

[PicassoClown04]

probably a bad idea making this post cause I get the sense someone is going to scoop it, but can anyone here tell me what is missing from this listing? if its really only missing a minor part or two, this seems like a killer deal

Reef Octopus Classic 90-HOB (Hang-on-Back) Protein Skimmer (Missing Minor piece) | eBay

Reef Octopus Classic 90-HOB (Hang-on-Back) Protein Skimmer (Missing Minor piece). Condition is considered used however the item has only been started to make sure it works properly. I believe a piece or 2 maybe missing like the air hose and sponge. The skimmer cup on top also has Minor damage as...

www.ebay.com

You don’t need the sponge, air hose is easily replaced or you can just keep that bit above water