Airstone in reef

buffalo123 · 07/16/2013, 11:31 AM

I notice how positive corals respond to when the return pump suck in air and flood the aquarium with bubbles. Is there any advantage to using an airstone and pump on timer to add extra oxygen for about an hour a day.? Likely the fish wont be too thrilled but does that not what happens in the surf in the ocean?
May even show results if done in the sump.
I know we go to great extents to keep the bubbles out of main display and there maybe a ph issue.

Palting · 07/16/2013, 11:41 AM

IMO, an airstone would present more problems that solutions. One of them would be more salt creep, another is microbubbles ruining the aesthetics. Anyhow, there are better way to oxygenate the reef tank. Leave the top open, set your powerheads so that surface water gets driven deep or vice versa, over rated skimmer that not only skims but also oxygenates the water, etc.

RocketEngineer · 07/16/2013, 12:39 PM

Read This. It was a TOTM years ago. About half way down you will see how Weaterson incorporated air injection into the closed loop several times a day. It is definitely an interesting concept.

Palting · 07/16/2013, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RocketEngineer

Read This. It was a TOTM years ago. About half way down you will see how Weaterson incorporated air injection into the closed loop several times a day. It is definitely an interesting concept.

Interesting is right. Thanks for the link.

Megatrev62 · 07/16/2013, 01:29 PM

Sounds interesting. I think I will hook up venturi to aquaclear 802 powerhead on a timer and blow bubbles every couple of hours or so..

PatrickFul10 · 07/16/2013, 05:44 PM

i think most people arent used to hearing about or seeing airstones in saltwater tanks because a lot of people have sumps, which oxygenates the water all they need. i dont see what it would hurt other than maybe salt creep at the surface where the bubbles pop.

buffalo123 · 07/17/2013, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RocketEngineer

Read This. It was a TOTM years ago. About half way down you will see how Weaterson incorporated air injection into the closed loop several times a day. It is definitely an interesting concept.

Thanks for the posting. Sure is alot of equipment. Air injection may be worth a try .

Painted skin · 07/18/2013, 02:08 AM

Salt creep is main issue when using air stone, don't see a need for it as your skimmer should provide plenty of O2. Having said that I have use air stone as temp solution in situation where I'm medicating the tank for what ever reason it require the skimmer turned off and I use stone to provide O2 to livestock.

jwoyshnar · 07/18/2013, 05:40 AM

I did the air injection a few years ago. When I had mostly sps. It would make them slime every time and they would look great afterwards.

07/16/2013, 11:31 AM	#1
buffalo123 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Cambridge, Ontario Canada Posts: 1,092	Airstone in reef I notice how positive corals respond to when the return pump suck in air and flood the aquarium with bubbles. Is there any advantage to using an airstone and pump on timer to add extra oxygen for about an hour a day.? Likely the fish wont be too thrilled but does that not what happens in the surf in the ocean? May even show results if done in the sump. I know we go to great extents to keep the bubbles out of main display and there maybe a ph issue.

07/16/2013, 11:41 AM	#2
Palting Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Ohio Posts: 6,912	IMO, an airstone would present more problems that solutions. One of them would be more salt creep, another is microbubbles ruining the aesthetics. Anyhow, there are better way to oxygenate the reef tank. Leave the top open, set your powerheads so that surface water gets driven deep or vice versa, over rated skimmer that not only skims but also oxygenates the water, etc. __________________ Anything I post is just an opinion. One of many in this hobby. Believe and follow at your own risk of rapid and complete annihilation of all life in your tank :) Current Tank Info: Incept 3/2010, 150 RR, 50g sump, 20g fuge, 150w 15K MH x3, T5 actinics x8, moonlight LED x6, 1400gph return, Koralia 1400 x4, 300 g skimmer, 4 tangs, 2 mandarins, 2 perc, 6 line, 3 cardinals, 2 firefish, SPS, LPS, zoas, palys, shrooms, clam

07/16/2013, 12:39 PM	#3
RocketEngineer Space is big. Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Maryland Eastern Shore Posts: 3,226	Read This. It was a TOTM years ago. About half way down you will see how Weaterson incorporated air injection into the closed loop several times a day. It is definitely an interesting concept. __________________ -RocketEngineer "Knowledge is what you get when you read the directions, experience is what you get when you don't." - Unknown Current Tank Info: None Currently

07/16/2013, 01:29 PM	#5
Megatrev62 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: ST.John's Newfoundland Canada Posts: 1,712	Sounds interesting. I think I will hook up venturi to aquaclear 802 powerhead on a timer and blow bubbles every couple of hours or so.. __________________ Please understand honey,it's not just me!!! Current Tank Info: 75 gallon, mixed reef,fuge.

07/16/2013, 05:44 PM	#6
PatrickFul10 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 14	i think most people arent used to hearing about or seeing airstones in saltwater tanks because a lot of people have sumps, which oxygenates the water all they need. i dont see what it would hurt other than maybe salt creep at the surface where the bubbles pop.

07/18/2013, 02:08 AM	#8
Painted skin Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Canada Posts: 679	Salt creep is main issue when using air stone, don't see a need for it as your skimmer should provide plenty of O2. Having said that I have use air stone as temp solution in situation where I'm medicating the tank for what ever reason it require the skimmer turned off and I use stone to provide O2 to livestock.

07/18/2013, 05:40 AM	#9
jwoyshnar Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: 18441 Posts: 1,531	I did the air injection a few years ago. When I had mostly sps. It would make them slime every time and they would look great afterwards.