FishProfiles.com Message Forums

I've seen pictures of some tanks with bubbles going up inside them. I think this ads something to a lot of tanks and can really look beautiful. However, are there downfalls to these bubbles? Do you have the bubbles going all of the time or just occationally?

Hi,
You pose an interesting question. The bubbles that you
mention are from air stones or air wands. Either is
connected by tubing to an air pump that is located some
where outside the tank. An Air Stone is a device
made of grains of sand cemented together with a rigid
piece of plastic cemented in the center. The hose from
the pump is connected to the fitting, and the hose
and stone is dropped into the tank. With the pump on,
the air is broken into hundreds of tiny bubbles as it
works its way between the grains of sand.

Air wands are porous tubes, either rigid or flexible,
with a fitting on one end and a cap on the other.
Air is injected into the tube and the air forces its
way through the tiny holes and creats a curtain of
bubbles for the length of the tube.

There are a few purposes to their use.

Foremost, they provide additional oxygenation to
the water. This can be especially important in
over crowded tanks.

They produce currents within the tank that circulate
the water evening out the temperature, and spreading
nutrients for plants throughout the tank.

Many fish seem to love to play in the stream of bubbles
and spend hours frolicking in the bubbles.

Lastly many tank owners enjoy seeing the bubbles rising
to the surface forming a curtain. And some enjoy the
"noise" the bubbles make (kinda like a gurgling stream).

Draw backs - there is some expense involved in purchasing
the stones or wands, the tubing, sometimes valves, and
of course the pump.

The bursting bubbles splash water all over the inside
of the tank and if there is not a tight fitting cover
over the tank the water will go all over the outside
and soak the surrounding area.

Some folks dislike the noise of the airstone/wands,
and bursting bubble noise. Additionally, the pumps
make some noise as well. Generally speaking the cheaper
the pump, the more noise they produce.

Hope this helps...
Frank


Last edited by FRANK at 05-Feb-2005 01:20

-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

Thanks Frank!

You said they produce currents within the tank... With this in mind, does anyone know how Bettas respond to them? I know Bettas sometimes do not like the water movement put off by just the filters, so would these bubbles bother them?

Are there any fish anyone can name that do enjoy playing in the bubbles? This would be very entertaining, I assume and would like to consider these types of fish for my upcoming tank.

A good question as well! I have a Betta in my 90 gallon community tank, which has some super strong current in it due to my 2 large filters and 2 large air stones. The Betta has never had a problem, though he did seem a little worried at first. However, over the months I have had him, I believe he has grown stronger, and now doesnt even show a reaction to the current at all. When he was first added, he tended to stay in areas of less current (behind plants, behind driftwood, etc).
I have a big 6 inch diameter round blue air stone, and a 24 inch long bendable air wand. I have found benefits to both types of stones. The stone type are heavier, and if buried just under the surface of the gravel, provide a shower of bubbles that appear out of nowhere. The bendable ones though not as heavy (they are weighted lightly in one end) are great because you can bend them around rocks, around driftwood, or just in interesting shapes to provide different effects in the tank. The extra oxygen an air stone provides is definetly benefical to the fish, plus I love the sound it makes. Reminds me of a river or stream.
However, if you want to have a heavily planted tank, with difficult to grow plants that require C02, then air stones have the effect of reducing the amount of dissolved carbon dioxide ions in the water. This can be combated with addition of more C02. However, if you plan on having a lightly-moderately planted tank, or a tank with easy to grow plants like anubias, ambulia, wisteria, vals, etc, then it shouldnt affect the growth or health of the plants very much.


Come Play Yahtzee With Me!
http://games.atari.com
Http://www.myleague.com/yahtgames

You can regulate the air pump, so that the Betta will be fine.

Corydoras like to swim through the bubble wall &amp; yes, they are very entertaining.



http://www.deathbydyeing.org/


http://www.flickr.com/photos/corydoras/
Member of the Malta Aquarist Society - 1970.
http://www.maltaaquarist.com

Hi,
Actually, and honestly, Bettas are found wild in stagnant
ponds, and ditches. They should never be kept in tanks
with high currents. IF they survive, they expend so much
energy, that it will be for a shortened life span.
Too many bubbles can interfer with a betta's breathing
(they gulp air at the surface, as you and I would).

Strictly speaking, if you can see currents, plants swaying,
or fish drifting in them, it is too much current for a
betta.

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

i initially had a problem with an airstone. i have two small fantail goldfish in my tank, and the strong water currents due to the air stone made it REALLY difficult for them to swim. when i fed them, they couldn't get to the food because the currents were too strong.

i unplugged the new airpump i was using and switched to an old cheap one i had several years ago. it didn't pump out nearly as much air, so the currents in the tank have been reduced, but there is still lots of bubbles. now they have no problems getting around.

so if you're really adamant about having an airstone, make sure the pump is very weak. don't buy one that has a high output because it will only make it more difficult for your fish to get around.

unless you buy a rena pump, the noise will tick you off. i couldn't stand the constant loud buzzing- so i bought a ton of air tubing, and have it running down behind the tank, into my closet, through the ceiling and into the next room where the air pump is that way i can't hear it hehe



Last edited by denny at 05-Feb-2005 12:01

Bettas live short lives anyway
Fish are capable of adaptation Frank. My plants are swaying, the fish swim in the current, and my betta is happy as a pig in mud!
Better for the betta to be in a bigger tank with current than in a tiny little bowl or cup!
In my experience, Bettas in bowls and cups live half as long as bettas in bigger tank with currents.


Come Play Yahtzee With Me!
http://games.atari.com
Http://www.myleague.com/yahtgames

Bubbles or no bubbles is up to you, I use to have bubble wands in my tank all the time, from time to time,after awhile I seem to have no use of them because my fish are fine without them. They make quite a long of noise
You can spend all the money use on pumps/wand on something much more beautiful and yet helpful like live plants.