Depth of airstone - does it matter?

[batang_mcdo]

Does the depth of the airstone matter in providing oxygen for our aquarium?
I noticed that the air pump is able to pump stronger air if the airstone is closer to the surface. which would be better to have the airstone all the wayt o the buttom of the tank, or just the surface so that it can produce more surface agitation? reason why i thought of this is because We've just had a brownout last night, and my DC battery pumps have a hard time producing air if the airstone is place deeper. So was wondering if it will also be effective if i place the airstone nearer to the waters surface ?

 

[Spiritofthesoul]

Why airstone? A powerhead agitating the water does a much better job

 

[batang_mcdo]

Why airstone? A powerhead agitating the water does a much better job

thanks, It for use during power outage.

 

[shellies215]

Depth doesn't matter, the water is oxygenated by the action of the bubbles breaking the surface of the water, not the bubbles themselves. so if you raise the airstone, more bubbles will create more surface agitation which is better

 

[batang_mcdo]

Depth doesn't matter, the water is oxygenated by the action of the bubbles breaking the surface of the water, not the bubbles themselves. so if you raise the airstone, more bubbles will create more surface agitation which is better

Thanks shellies215, it popped into my mind as i see other people have the airstone all the ways to the buttom of the tank or pond.

 

[Spiritofthesoul]

That is for better circulation. As bubbles rise, the water is also moved along with the bubbles. Hence the dissolved oxygen is spreaded equally throughout the tank.

If you place the airstone just below the water surface, there will be much more agitation. But less circulation. Which means the top would be saturated with oxygen while the bottom would have low DO. Any bottom dwelling fish could have difficulty breathing.

 

[shellies215]

Good point about the circulation. I didn't really think about it that way.