Will air stones count as "flow?"

[SallyWho]

Here pretty soon I'm going to have to get a tree trimmed back from my power lines, which means my electricity will be off all day. No generator yet, but I do have a battery backup for my main display and can run it on survival mode- it should be fine. However, there's a frag tank in another room. I have several battery-powered air pumps- if I get one of those long air stone wands and place it horizontally below the frag rack, will the rising air bubbles provide enough water movement to keep the corals from stagnating all day? Luckily it's just zoas, a duncan, and a lepto, so it's not like I risk losing some high dollar stuff. But what do think? For one day, will bubbles = flow? Thanks!

 

[Peace River]

Here pretty soon I'm going to have to get a tree trimmed back from my power lines, which means my electricity will be off all day. No generator yet, but I do have a battery backup for my main display and can run it on survival mode- it should be fine. However, there's a frag tank in another room. I have several battery-powered air pumps- if I get one of those long air stone wands and place it horizontally below the frag rack, will the rising air bubbles provide enough water movement to keep the corals from stagnating all day? Luckily it's just zoas, a duncan, and a lepto, so it's not like I risk losing some high dollar stuff. But what do think? For one day, will bubbles = flow? Thanks!

There's a couple parts to your question about flow in relation to corals - water movement and agitation of the water surface for oxygenation. For a short time your air stone will accomplish both of these. Another option is to order a small 12v pump and battery source. If you have fish in the frag tank you will also want to add a sponge pre-filter (or comparable) to the 12v circulation pump for their safety. Good luck!

 

[SallyWho]

Luckily no fish in the frag tank! Thanks for the tips!

 

[Cory]

Ive had no problems using just air stones for oxygenation. It wont circulate much but will help keep o2 up. Hopefully your temp stays above 74 f

 

[cracker]

For flow ? Just a little bit .

 

[BadFish619]

Flow not so much, surface agitation yes. Surface agitation = oxygenated water. So is it ok? Yes. Ideal? Eh. However, with no other choice its your best bet unless you could do a generator and run some powerheads

 

[cracker]

Well said Bad fish , Surface agitation is much better .

 

[maroun.c]

Should be fine but if yuo can have a couple UPSs to power few powerheads and tunr them on for few min every hour or maybe a 12 V battery and inverter for the same purpose that would be even safer.

 

[SallyWho]

I have an annual bonus check coming my way next month, which should take me the rest of the way to buying that portable generator I've been eyeing. I'm sort of gambling- do I wait to get the tree trimmed back until I have the generator even though it's storm season here in windy tornado alley (we've already had two small tornadoes bounce through)...or do I make do with surface agitation only in the frag tank for a day? I'm not a betting woman, but I'm not a rich one, either! That trim job is going to cost.

 

[BadFish619]

You say it will be down all day. What does that mean exactly? And as we all know coral likes a large amount of flow. That being said I'm no expert maybe someone else can help. If its 8 hours I think you'd be ok, 12 hours? Maybe pushing it. Maybe you can rig a battery contraption 12 v battery with inverter to run a power head I think you should be fine. Keep the house temp as warm as you can. Tank will usually be within a couple degrees of the house

 

[SallyWho]

You say it will be down all day. What does that mean exactly? And as we all know coral likes a large amount of flow. That being said I'm no expert maybe someone else can help. If its 8 hours I think you'd be ok, 12 hours? Maybe pushing it. Maybe you can rig a battery contraption 12 v battery with inverter to run a power head I think you should be fine. Keep the house temp as warm as you can. Tank will usually be within a couple degrees of the house

"All day" depends on the power company. You tell them what day the tree trimmers are coming, and they shut the power off for the day. I'll have to call and ask if their "day" is an 8hr work day or a 12hr day.