Airstones, Good or Terrible?

[Nasabeau]

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

Is that all that is missing from the pics? I can't tell

 

[PicassoClown04]

Is that all that is missing from the pics? I can't tell

That’s what the post says it’s missing. The skimmer can work fine without either part

 

[Auquanut]

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

I see it's already sold. Did you get it?

 

[Adamantium]

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

That’s an INSANE deal. That’s a $250 skimmer. I say jump on it. You can easily get airline and a sponge for cheap.

 

[Adamantium]

That’s an INSANE deal. That’s a $250 skimmer. I say jump on it. You can easily get airline and a sponge for cheap.

Oh dang. If another user reading this thread bought it, they did OP diiiirty.

 

[Nasabeau]

I see it's already sold. Did you get it?

nah, I bought it lol. I was worried someone else would read this thread and do me like that XD

 

[Nasabeau]

Oh dang. If another user reading this thread bought it, they did OP diiiirty.

yes I got it lol. I was terrified of someone seeing the post and scooping me

 

[Auquanut]

nah, I bought it lol. I was worried someone else would read this thread and do me like that XD

Score!

 

[Nasabeau]

That’s what the post says it’s missing. The skimmer can work fine without either part

Can I use just straight air tubing line from the LFS for the air intake? like, the normal stuff you use for an air stone?

 

[Pntbll687]

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?

Are you running a skimmer? A skimmer will have 100x, probably 1000x more air being pulled into it than a small air stone.

Just saw your post about no skimmer.

I think adding a skimmer would be the best way to get fresh air into the water

 

[Nasabeau]

Are you running a skimmer? A skimmer will have 100x, probably 1000x more air being pulled into it than a small air stone.

I just bought the skimmer in the link I asked about earlier in the thread XD. no I currently don't have a skimmer because 250 bucks is a good chunk of change for me, it was on the wish list. then I was recommended ebay and found a killer deal

 

[PicassoClown04]

Can I use just straight air tubing line from the LFS for the air intake? like, the normal stuff you use for an air stone?

Yeah, it’s called airline tubing. Flexible and very small diameter. Super cheap

 

[PicassoClown04]

I just bought the skimmer in the link I asked about earlier in the thread XD. no I currently don't have a skimmer because 250 bucks is a good chunk of change for me, it was on the wish list. then I was recommended ebay and found a killer deal

Ya welcome

 

[Pntbll687]

I just bought the skimmer in the link I asked about earlier in the thread XD. no I currently don't have a skimmer because 250 bucks is a good chunk of change for me, it was on the wish list. then I was recommended ebay and found a killer deal

NICE!

That's going to make a much bigger impact than an airstone

 

[Nasabeau]

Ya welcome

Thank you so much for the advice @footgal XD

 

[Nasabeau]

Yeah, it’s called airline tubing. Flexible and very small diameter. Super cheap

okay good. I actually have a bunch of that laying around because of my fresh water tank, I never run fresh water without under gravel air stones XD and of course, the fish will occasionally push the tube into the heater and then it melts XD

 

[PBnJOnWheat]

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?

Honestly a skimmer as well as surface tension breaking is the best way to increase pH. Depending on how you keep you Ca/kH up also can help. Two-part, CaX, kalkwasser can increase the pH also

 

[Nasabeau]

Honestly a skimmer as well as surface tension breaking is the best way to increase pH. Depending on how you keep you Ca/kH up also can help. Two-part, CaX, kalkwasser can increase the pH also

right now my KH is a bit on the high side because of some terrible advice I got when starting the tank, and I've been taking it down slowly. was at 11 last night so definitely moving in the direction I want but not low enough that I could realistically add a buffer without jumping it

 

[SMSREEF]

Glad you picked up that skimmer!

I use an air stone in every one of my tanks hooked up to a battery operated air pump. When my power goes out, they turn on.

It’s a good back up for an emergency and can be the difference between your fish making it or dying due to low oxygen if you happen to be at work or out of town.
The air pumps are less than $20. Plus like @footgal said above you can use it if and when you go collecting.

Aquatop BREZA Battery Powered Air Pump w/ AC Power Failure Sensor
I also use an air stone in quarantine tank when I am medicating any fish.

 

[Nasabeau]

Update, the seller cancelled my order! stay tuned