Are Air Stones Necessary ?

Yes, with adequate flow(especially near the surface)

I've made a habit of hiding air stones behind csnister filter intakes, I zip tie them just above the strainer as they wont suck air into the filter. They are barely noticeable. Especially with smaller air stones.

Or you could modify an outlet so it agitates the surface and you get some gas exchage

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Podzy said:

So as long as there is surface agitation with let say movement from one of the outtakes it shouldn't be an issue ?

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Correct. Supposedly, most of the actual oxygen exchange from an airstone is a result of the surface agitation that it causes, anyway, as opposed to direct diffusion from the bubbles, so you don't really need an air pump to achieve the same effect.

I dont think its necessary as long as you have enough agitation, I myself use them as back up precaution, they are hooked up to a backup battery incase of power outage, I keep mainly plecos so its good to have backup.

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lmt6600 said:

I dont think its necessary as long as you have enough agitation, I myself use them as back up precaution, they are hooked up to a backup battery incase of power outage, I keep mainly plecos so its good to have backup.

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Hello; I strongly agree. Bubblers have saved tanks for me many times over five decades. There was a time when the power filters were not reliable(some losing siphon every day or two) and an air stone, UGF or other bubbler kept a tank going for the hours I was at work or otherwise away.

Powered filters are much better now and less prone to failure. I do have a new and self imposed issue. I put my tanks on GFI outlets. From time to time something trips the GFI and I find my tanks dark and without running power filters. I have an air pump in the basement on a different circuit with a long hose to deliver bubbles to all tanks. The air pump continues to work when the GFI trips.

I guess air pumps are not actually nesessary. I did run a few tanks without bubblers for a while, but no longer. I do not run tanks without bubblers any more.

good luck

Personally, I just enjoy seeing all the air bubbles.........and it has the purpose of keeping the tank O2 rich makes it an added bonus

I haven't used an air stone for more than a decade, maybe two.

There's a benefit to them, but my HOBs create lots of splashing water.