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Hi, I posted this in another thread but I thought maybe I should have posted it here sorry for the repetition. Just a quick question. I was just cleaning my tank and I accidentally dropped my airstone on the floor and it smashed. I can't get a replacement till tomorrow since the stores are all closed. Should I just through the air tube in without the airstone on the end or leave it out till I can get a new airstone. I don't want to leave my Goldfish friends without adequate oxygen but the air tube alone create HUGE bubbles! What's the best thing to do???

Thanks

If the tube is inserted into the downtube of an undergravel filter, replace it without the airstone. Some current is better than none.

If the tube is simply powering an airstone without driving a UGF, then you could (if you have one spare) try the following DIY replacement. Note that this is very much an experimental affair!

Step 1 : Locate one of those pieces of sponge with scouring pad attached used for hand washing of dishes. Make sure it is NOT a brand that comes with any soaps or detergents pre-impregnated! You just want pure sponge.

Step 2 : Get a short piece of tube, say ½ inch long, to which you can glue a piece of the sponge using some aquarium sealant. Apply sealant carefully to the end of the section of tube without blocking it.

Step 3 : Attach piece of sponge cut from scouring pad and leave to set. You can speed this process up if you have an oven that allows you to select a low temperature (around 70-80°C). Pop it in said oven at 70°C on a metal dish and let it cure. Should be done in about 30 minutes tops.

Step 4 : Get one of those connectors used for linking bits of aquarium tubing together, and connect your DIY airstone to your main airline.

It might work, it might not. Better than nothing until you can get to the shops.

If this post is too late to help by the way, I only just found this. Even so, you might like to conduct experiments along the lines of the above. If you succeed in making a DIY airstone, problem solved.


Panda Catfish fan and keeper/breeder since Christmas 2002

Ok I'm going to admit how insane I am at timeslike this is anything new

As Cali has said any air is better than noneif it is running a UGF then by all means shove the airline down into the bottom of uplift tube and go about your business just replace the airstone when you get to, tomorrow

If it's not operating a UGF then bury the airline in the gravel to weight it down and go about your business, and again tomorrow get a new airstone...

All will be fine, you just want to keep the air coming into the tank heidi

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

mesonic

Here is a bit more good advice. Next time buy several as they always require replacing or they break dont they.

There are plastic screw appart ones these never break or wear out.

Keith

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It's better to have some air than none, so i would suggest to leave the air tube running without an air stone & when you go & buy it, get some spare ones aswell.


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Most household sponges are not intended for aquarium use; a little water movement should aide in oxygen exchange, no problem. If anything, you only need to dip your airline tubing into the water.