What’s the deal with air stones?

Hey All,

Anyone here have experience using an air stone in a planted tank without CO2 diffuser? Did it have any benefits on your plants and fish life? I keep seeing different things on air stones. Some say it’s beneficial and other say it’s bad for the plants. I have a 100 gallon planted without CO2 diffuser and I was considering getting an air stone to improve the oxygen for my fishes and also provide a benefit to my plants. At least that’s what’s I think the pros are based on reviews and blogs. Just wanna hear thoughts from people who have actually used the product in a planted tank.

 

It can increase the oxygen available for your fish. I don't know that it would benefit your plants, but I also don't see how it could hurt.

 

It’s supposed to be beneficial for your fish because of the increased oxygen exchange.

Here is my honest view and experience on air stones and plants:
I have seriously seen no benefits of having the air stone in my 29g. I’ve had to take it in and out for different reasons and haven’t seen any changes. In addition, I successfully keep live plants in sand with zero fertilizer, root tabs, CO2 or any of the sort, completely by itself.

So many other fishkeepers will probably have different experiences with this, this is just what i’ve experienced.

 

Most tanks (especially those with a spray bar) have enough O2 exchange with all of the surface movement/current. I think the only reason I would add an air stone would be if I were to run a small sponge filter

 

I have mine in the tank because the fish like it. I don’t think it makes a huge difference but they do enjoy it. I have a 10 gallon pump and a tiny air stone in the back corner of my 35 and they like to investigate but if I had to remove it I wouldn’t be worried for their health or anythinf.

 

No, but do they help plants. No. If you like the appearance keep them, if you are doing it because you think you need it for the fish they are fine, filters and plants provide enough oxygen for them. Although I use them in my 4 planted tanks only because I kinda like the look and always had them in my tanks when I was younger.

 

Sorry guys, I just saw the notifications. Anyway, so it’s been a few days since I added the air stone and not sure if it’s doing anything for the plants but the fishes definitely seem more lively. I read that plants stop oxygen production when the lights go off and I run my lights for 12 hours and been running the airstone for 12 hours. I have about 50 fishes in my 100 gallon and I definitely noticed that they are more active.