air stone alternatives

[biatch]

hey do you actually need an airstone?
cos i am currently running the hose directly into the power head, and its pushing the air out the end wouyld this oxygenate the water?

 

[mooman]

Simply having a small amount of surface agitation will provide all the gas exchange needed. Air stones are completely unnecessary, and in all actuality the bubbles aren't in contact with the water long enough to release any appreciable amount of O2 into the water

 

[zave2340]

not true. by decreseing bubble size, you increase the surface area the bubbles have to "contact" the water while traviling. Yes, it will increase o2 levels if you use a airstone. .... Do you really need one? Most likely not unless you fish are gasping for air. I have air stone in my gold fish tank only for effect. The air stone in my large 30 gal is on my CO2 hookup and i can see teh differance.