Air stones- clogged, life span, clean or no

[Matteus]

I have noticed some air stones seem to last much longer than others. I am finding the long slender air stones that I put in roughly a year ago, still working. Meanwhile I have a few others such as an led air curtain placed in a similar timeline to have almost completely no airflow. I also have noticed a round one that is also not pumping any air out.

Is there a way to remedy this? Maybe cut the hose down a bit? Should I adjust where the pump sits? Is it the pumps fault? Maybe the stone is clogged? Is there a way to clean them or should they just be replaced every year?

What are some of the things folks do out there? I know I’m not the only one experiencing this. Interested to hear thoughts.

 

[Dloks]

Think of a air stone kinda like a lot less toned down not as porous as sponge filter. Air gets blown into the stones and oxygen gets diffused. As air gets pushed into the stones little matters and particles in the aquarium water column gets trapped in there, over the months/years those things will need some type of pressure washer to clean out those pores, in reality they are 5 bucks for a massive air stone where I live, I chuck them like scrapes

 

[Dloks]

MrsE88 has a way to clean them ... sorry! Haha had to

 

[Matteus]

MrsE88 has a way to clean them ... sorry! Haha had to

Haha. I was also thinking about the thread where they were bleached and the bubbles were building up. Just wanted to see if I was missing any tricks or anything.

 

[deeda]

Maybe try some household hydrogen peroxide to see if it will work.

 

[duanes]

I gave up air stones about 25 years ago whenI discovered venturi tubes, they accomplish the same aeration effect, plus really move water, and create current.
And the most maintenance needed, is to occasionally ream out the aperture with stick.


Below is one attached to a protein skimmer (fractionator)

I used some 24/7 for those 25 years.

 

[Matteus]

I gave up air stones about 25 years ago whenI discovered venturi tubes, they accomplish the same aeration effect, plus really move water, and create current.
And the most maintenance needed, is to occasionally ream out the aperture with stick.


Below is one attached to a protein skimmer (fractionator)

I used some 24/7 for those 25 years.

Would this work if I attached it to my fx5-6 outputs? Where do you get them typically? I’m thinking wine store? Lol

 

[skjl47]

Hello; I rarely use air stone anymore but when I do the best trick I know is an inline air filter. These filters trap the air borne dust that will eventually make it's way into the center of the stone.
If you want air stones for the visual appearance of the tiny bubbles then air stones are the ticket. If you are only wanting to move water in say a sponge filter or an UGF then you can get by without them. Decades ago I began to just run the air hose with an open end. Thebubbles are large but do still move water and do provide aeration.

 

[Matteus]

Interesting. I will have to look into an online air filter.

 

[duanes]

Would this work if I attached it to my fx5-6 outputs? Where do you get them typically? I’m thinking wine store? Lol

I don't know if an fx5-6 has enough power, but it might, the smallest pump on them I've used has been 500 GPH.
My LFSs in Milwaukee carried them, this is very similar
Amazon.com : 3/4 Inch Venturi Fertilizer Mixer Injectors Agriculture ...https://www.amazon.com/Venturi-Fertilizer-Injectors-Agriculture.../B01KO1B1GG
You can easily make your own with spare PVC parts.
DIY venturi, a few easy builds for aquaponics, aquaculture or ...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZMjDgM3LaU