Air Stones/Tubing/etc

[Coop]

Ok so I am setting up my new tank after several years of getting out of the hobby. I have sand as my substrate and have an issue this time with the air tubes and stones blowing sand up and now you can see them. I have to move everything today and might change what I am using. What do y'all use? Pics are a plus...

[mistahoo]

Do you really want the bubbles? I don't really like the look unless it's a ton of micro bubbles that make it look like a mist. I find that it looks tacky. But if you really want to go this route, you could use sand that isn't as fine. Possibly pick up the airstone a bit off the substrate? Place a rock under the airstone? Not quite sure how to help out. I do use an airpump and airstones, but I put them in my wet/dry sump to aerate the water better.

[HERM]

I don't use air stones in any of my tanks except for in my fry tank which I have a sponge filter in. You don't really need them ,just aim your return from your canister to agitate the surface and do the same with your power heads. Unless you really like the look of bubbles.

[mistahoo]

I don't use air stones in any of my tanks except for in my fry tank which I have a sponge filter in. You don't really need them ,just aim your return from your canister to agitate the surface and do the same with your power heads. Unless you really like the look of bubbles.

+1

[eklikewhoa]

Giant airstones, co2 proof hosing, pondmaster ap-40, no substrate

[Coop]

Honestly I don't even want the bubbles but worry the fish won't get enough air. Not too sure how much agitation the water needs.

[barrettsline]

you need a wetdry. much more effective in aerating water.

[eklikewhoa]

Get both

[barrettsline]

Get both

+1

[Shawnl25]

To piggy back on this thread... I am setting up a new tank and I want big bubbles purely for looks. I was thinking about taping the hose down with shipping tape and then covering it with stone and gravel, would this be a bad idea? Also does anyone have a suggestion for a good quality air stone?

[ScorpiosWife]

Probably not the look you're after, but in one of my tanks where I wanted big bubbles I used various sizes of flower pots (turned upside down). I put the airstone inside and fed the airline through the hole in the bottom. The hole isn't big enough for the airstone to come out of and enough air gets trapped inside of the flower pots to release a constant stream of big bubbles. There is no way to hide the lines unless you turn the pot on it's side & hide it under the substrate behind the pot, which will create a different bubble pattern, as well.

[mistahoo]

Using a black air tubing and paint the back black is the best way to hide air tubes. As for big bubbles, you could use a flowerpot or even those decorations they sell at the lfs or petsmart/petco. Placing the air tube under rocks won't give you the big bubbles.

[troy tucker]

Air stone in the tank is from starter tanks. I have that clam that opens and closes. Someone told me they hated it. So I put it in a tank. I think the old cheezy stuff like that. Is cool. But more on topic. I like to use air stone around my heater. To keep the water moving around it. But I have slow swimmers and not giant flow.

[Coop]

I ended up using a long bubble bar and placed it at the top of the water line out of sight and just above my filter return spray bar. Adds plenty of air and isn't seen. Only issue is when the pumps kick on it blows tiny micro bubbles throughout the water making it look like the sand is kicking up. I'm gonna add more sand and let it settle for a couple of days before I turn pumps back on. I have noticed the next day after adding the air bar, the fish seemed to be a lot more active so I'm assuming it just made them happier....or high haha

[troy tucker]

Pictures are always nice...