Fish Keeping Forum: air pumps/stones

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big-mike
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Topic: air pumps/stones
Posted: 22 August 2010 at 5:26pm

hi all me again lol wanted to know if there was any beneficial reasons for having an air pump and air stones in the aquarium other than it looks nice?

i got some extra bit with my new set up but havnt used them yet, didnt know wether it was worth putting them in...

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jennybugs
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Posted: 22 August 2010 at 6:11pm

There's no need for them if you have good surface movement really Mike. They are also detrimental to planted tanks from what I can gather, but they are beneficial for coldwater goldfish tanks although some would even argue with that.
I sometimes run one in the warmer months on my goldie tank to ensure good gaseous exchange.

Slowly, slowly, happy tanky! :D

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jimthefish
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Posted: 22 August 2010 at 6:14pm

Air stones circulate the water. As the bubbles rise they drag water from the bottom of the tank to the top. It's only at the top where the water meets air that oxygen and CO2 are exchanged. Newer tanks and filters do this for you , the water is picked up at the bottom of the tank, filtered and returned at the top where it picks up O2. Some treatments can reduce O2, as can hot wheather. An added airstone in these ciorcumstances can help.

If you're trying to grow plants and are adding CO2, extra circulation can reduce the CO2 you're busy trying to add.

Jim B

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big-mike
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Posted: 22 August 2010 at 7:35pm

so there not really gonna do anything more than my 2 fluvel filters will already be doing??

just plugged it in and to be honest its bit noisey for my liking especially as its next to me bed lol

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jennybugs
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Posted: 23 August 2010 at 10:42am

Some airstones can be awfully noisy. I've used air curtains in my goldie tanks and they've been somewhat more bearable - they're like blue flexible pipes that can be linked togeher and give a wall of bubbles. If you have hard water they don't stay pretty for long I found

I had a Hydor airpump with a light on it that looked fantastic but my lordy it was noisy as anything! I ran it for a month then gave up on it!

Slowly, slowly, happy tanky! :D

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big-mike
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Posted: 23 August 2010 at 12:45pm

think im gonna give the air pump stuff a miss jenny... i like my sleep to much lol

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jennybugs
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Posted: 23 August 2010 at 1:30pm

I know what you mean! I get wken up by filter when it picks up grit every now and then at night and it's right by my ear and sounds SO loud!

Slowly, slowly, happy tanky! :D

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manutius
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Posted: 23 August 2010 at 3:15pm

I routinely have to turn the koralia pump off at night time it makes a right old din when the snails decide to sleep there

15000+ posts and hardly any sense made or spellings correct

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big-mike Novice AquaTrax User: no Joined: 31 May 2010 Last Active: 08 September 2010 Posts: 145 Articles: 0 Member Rating: 2	Topic: air pumps/stones Posted: 22 August 2010 at 5:26pm
	hi all me again lol wanted to know if there was any beneficial reasons for having an air pump and air stones in the aquarium other than it looks nice? i got some extra bit with my new set up but havnt used them yet, didnt know wether it was worth putting them in...

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jennybugs Moderators AquaTrax User: YES Joined: 20 January 2008 Last Active: Today Posts: 4108 Articles: 4 Member Rating: 392	Posted: 22 August 2010 at 6:11pm
	There's no need for them if you have good surface movement really Mike. They are also detrimental to planted tanks from what I can gather, but they are beneficial for coldwater goldfish tanks although some would even argue with that. I sometimes run one in the warmer months on my goldie tank to ensure good gaseous exchange.
	Slowly, slowly, happy tanky! :D
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jimthefish Moderators Plant Forum Moderator AquaTrax User: YES Joined: 19 October 2005 Last Active: Yesterday Location: United Kingdom Posts: 6257 Articles: 10 Member Rating: 965	Posted: 22 August 2010 at 6:14pm
	Air stones circulate the water. As the bubbles rise they drag water from the bottom of the tank to the top. It's only at the top where the water meets air that oxygen and CO2 are exchanged. Newer tanks and filters do this for you , the water is picked up at the bottom of the tank, filtered and returned at the top where it picks up O2. Some treatments can reduce O2, as can hot wheather. An added airstone in these ciorcumstances can help. If you're trying to grow plants and are adding CO2, extra circulation can reduce the CO2 you're busy trying to add.
	Jim B
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big-mike Novice AquaTrax User: no Joined: 31 May 2010 Last Active: 08 September 2010 Posts: 145 Articles: 0 Member Rating: 2	Posted: 22 August 2010 at 7:35pm
	so there not really gonna do anything more than my 2 fluvel filters will already be doing?? just plugged it in and to be honest its bit noisey for my liking especially as its next to me bed lol
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jennybugs Moderators AquaTrax User: YES Joined: 20 January 2008 Last Active: Today Posts: 4108 Articles: 4 Member Rating: 392	Posted: 23 August 2010 at 10:42am
	Some airstones can be awfully noisy. I've used air curtains in my goldie tanks and they've been somewhat more bearable - they're like blue flexible pipes that can be linked togeher and give a wall of bubbles. If you have hard water they don't stay pretty for long I found I had a Hydor airpump with a light on it that looked fantastic but my lordy it was noisy as anything! I ran it for a month then gave up on it!
	Slowly, slowly, happy tanky! :D
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big-mike Novice AquaTrax User: no Joined: 31 May 2010 Last Active: 08 September 2010 Posts: 145 Articles: 0 Member Rating: 2	Posted: 23 August 2010 at 12:45pm
	think im gonna give the air pump stuff a miss jenny... i like my sleep to much lol
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jennybugs Moderators AquaTrax User: YES Joined: 20 January 2008 Last Active: Today Posts: 4108 Articles: 4 Member Rating: 392	Posted: 23 August 2010 at 1:30pm
	I know what you mean! I get wken up by filter when it picks up grit every now and then at night and it's right by my ear and sounds SO loud!
	Slowly, slowly, happy tanky! :D
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manutius Admin Group The Boss AquaTrax User: YES View My Setup Joined: 06 January 2006 Last Active: 03 September 2010 Posts: 16418 Articles: 9 Member Rating: 424	Posted: 23 August 2010 at 3:15pm
	I routinely have to turn the koralia pump off at night time it makes a right old din when the snails decide to sleep there
	15000+ posts and hardly any sense made or spellings correct
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