Air stones

[heavenly damsel]

I put the air stones from my fresh water tank into my new salt water set up...probably out of habit. Do I need them? Should I leave them? Do any of you use them?
I don't see them in any of the tanks at the local fish stores.

 

[broomer5]

Airstones, while many people use them, are not neccessary or recommended in saltwater set ups. As long as you provide good circulation with filters or powerheads, the airstones are not needed.
They lead to a lot of saltspray and saltcreep as the bubbles burst at the suface.
Reefers try to eliminate most air bubbles from their tanks - air bubbles may harm some delicate corals.
Up to you - but I vote nope !

 

[heavenly damsel]

Thanks for the advice. I don't have powerheads yet, just an external hang on the tank filter system. Just getting started here. LR and inverts coming soon from store at this site. How soon do I need the powerheads?

 

[thewolfman777]

can air stones really harm a tank? i have numerous air stones and thought that it was doing nothing but good for my tank. aren't they good for the gas exchanges that take place in the tank? is salt creep the only side effect of airstones? i do not have any corals as of yet and plan to wait a long time until i do get some. i am not going against what you said broomer but was just under a different assumption.

 

[heavenly damsel]

Was going to take them out...maybe I'll wait a day or so to see if anyone else uses airstones.

 

[ebeckels]

I used to have one in my tank but took it out because i was told it was detrimental to my tank. same reasons as brian said.

 

[jester]

I have a "bubble wand" in my fowlr tank. it really helps the overcirculation because "lifts" the water in some non current areas. I noticed a difference how much more skimmer picks up with the bubbles in the back of the tank. the salt spray is minimized with a piece of abs plastic over the back opening.
just my piece...everybodys setup is different.