the main purposes of airstones is to break surface tension and generate oxygen and also to create enough water movement to assist in pushing debris toward your filter intakes. at the same time, it does have an aesthetic value. i have a combination of 2 volcano airstones and 2 koralia 4's in my 125 gal. i have a much water movement. i also have an fx5, which moves water, also. the koralias don't create bubbles, but they push much water around the tank. how many airstones and pumps you use are bascially, up to you.