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I just have a question about aeration. What is the main differences between airstones/bubble curtains, air pumps and power heads used for aeration. Which have what advantages and what would be the best to use.

What is the main differences between airstones/bubble curtains, air pumps and power heads used for aeration. Which have what advantages and what would be the best to use.

Ok here is what I find to be different, and why and when I use each...

Power heads are more for the top of the water, or for use with a UGF (this is where I use mine) I have trouble hiding them, but they do really well if you have larger fish...

Airstones/and the strips of airstones, are what I use in all of my tanks...I connect them to an air pump and bury them beneath the gravel, they provide a nice curtain of air bubbles, that my corries and some other fish love to play in:%)

Bubble Curtains, I have never had any luck with these, but they are supposed to stick to the wall of the tank (this I can get it to do) and create a curtain of bubbles above it (this is where I end up with 5 or 6 bubbles at a time)

So that is what I know....

Heidi

"I've got a great ambition to die of exhaustion rather than boredom." Thomas Carlyle

Bubble stones/wands are connected to an air pump and provide a steady stream of bubbles. The slight current created and surface agitation from bubbles popping increases oxygen in the water and helps move fish waste and so forth from the bottom of the tank. In hardwater tanks or saltwater they end up leaving behind a film of calcium/salt that has to be constantly cleaned and can ruin equipment.
Powerheads suck in water and if you have a tube going to the surface they also suck in air. Powerheads can be used for circulation without aerating such as a river tank, planted tank where you don't want too much surface agitation, or saltwater aquariums that need lots of water movement. They can also aerate by being pointed toward the surface and increasing surface movement along with sucking in air. Powerheads create alot more current than airstones.

Great question
A couple good uses for airstones are if you have a 'dead' area in the tank that could use more surface movement, or in a quarantine tank with a heater (where you don't want a filter if you're using meds, but want to keep it oxygenated for the sick fish). Also, get an air valve and keep it handy so you can adjust the amount of air going out if need be. With an air pump, spend the few extra dollars, and get one that is QUIET AS POSSIBLE and doesn't vibrate too much, your fish and you will appreciate it.

I keep an air pump, valves, 2 stones and a heater handy. You can set up an alternate tank in a pinch if you have an emergency, even with a rubbermaid container.

Power heads I haven't used, but you can also attach a filter canister to some of them, and also used for extra water flow. You can aim them almost anywhere in the tank, while airstones only flow the water up.

Which is better depends on the situation you are having and what effect you desire in your tank.. Hope this helps and not TOO much info



The Amazon Nut...

Okay that helps me a bit now. So if I wanted it for decoartion purposes I would buy an air pump attach it too some air tubing and then to an air stone and or air curtain. So then if i wanted a curtain of air bubbles of air i would use an air curtain. And air stones that come in different shapes only deliver air to a specific part.

Exactly. Airstones do come in different shapes, so you can choose your bubble pattern.. A small tank you might use a couple round airstones or a longer airstone..

In tanks 20 gal and up, a bubble curtain along the back wall looks really good, you can suction cup it to the glass, or weight it and hide it in the gravel.

I seen a pic in here once with the airstone tucked
behind a large piece of driftwood.. The effect was very nice with the bubbles coming up from behind it.

The Amazon Nut...

Well I may go for the bubble curtain along the back wall of the tank and maybe add a small air stone behind my piece of fake drift wood in my tank. Thanks for the help

:88)

The Amazon Nut...