Dannywoo Garden is reader-supported. We may earn a commission through products purchased using links on this page. Learn more about our process here
How-To-Clean-Airstones

How To Clean Airstones

Want to give your little water friends a good place to live in? Or keep your hydroponics healthy? Start by checking your water quality in the aquarium. 

In an aquarium filtration system, airstone bubblers distribute the air and break it down into little bubbles that are easily absorbed by water. Here, we will see the many methods on How To Clean Airstones. While most people replace airstones at regular intervals, cleaning and renewing airstones to maintain their efficacy can save you some money. You can take the rinsing, boiling, and bleaching methods first. Let’s have a proper rundown.

Methods

The Classic Method

  1. After rinsing the air stone with freshwater, lightly clean the exterior to remove any extra buildup. Allow the airstone to dry completely in the open air.
  2. Allow the stone to air dry after boiling it for 10 minutes in freshwater.
  3. Soak the airstone in a solution of one part household bleach to three parts fresh water for 24 hours (1:3). Bleach has the added benefit of cleaning and sanitizing the stone at the same time. Soak the stone in warm water for at least 24 hours, or two days if it is significantly blocked.
  4. Remove the stone from the bleach solution and place it in a container of fresh water with a five-minute run time on an airline linked to an air pump. Any bleach that remains on the stone will be diluted and removed.
  5. Remove the airstone from the fresh water and let it dry for five minutes while air is being pumped through it. Allow for 24 hours of air drying before storing the stone for future usage.

Maintenance

Clean and maintain the air stones in your aquarium regularly. Airstones assist to deliver oxygen to the tank water as well as spreading the air. People use them for decorating since they are so attractive. From the bottom to the top, they generate bubbles in the water.

The aquarium’s air stones serve to circulate the entire water. They are used to remove filth, dead patches, and debris from the water’s surface. When they become clogged or unclean, you must clean them. You’ll notice it when their operations divert your attention.

Airstones also add to the beauty and aesthetics of your aquarium as well. Your water seems undisturbed or uncirculated without air stones. It helps to oxygenate the water by producing bubbles. The little bubbles appear to be more attractive. They are also enjoyed by the fish.

The I Shall Never Use Bleach Method

Soak the stone in hydrogen peroxide overnight, then carefully clean and air dry it.

Allow the stone to cool for five minutes before blowing air through it until it is completely dry.

Add a few denture-cleaning tablets to the airstone and submerge it in water. Soak the stone overnight, then rinse with clear water and dry with a fan. Denture-cleaning tablets are a diluted version of sodium hypochlorite bleach that is easier to use than liquid bleach.

Soak in a solution of water and vinegar. If your water contains a lot of minerals, this method may be especially effective at removing calcium lime deposits from your stone.

The Baking Method: DON’T DO THAT

Many sources will probably instigate you to put on that chef’s hat and bake your airstone. Yeah, that’s a really bad idea. Whether it’s baking or microwaving, neither of these methods is recommended for cleaning your air stones because they will be damaged as well as ineffectively cleaned.

The air stones are connected to the air pipe by small plastic couplings. You won’t be able to put these in the oven since they won’t be able to resist the heat. When they effectively begin to melt, an air stone will become ineffective. As a result of attempting to clean it ineffectively, you will be forced to trash it.

When To Clean Your Airstones

Now that you know how to clean your airstones, let’s see what are the other times you can use a little scrub a dub dub for your airstones.

Apart from giving oxygen to plant roots, one of the roles of air stones is to help prevent diseases from taking hold. These have the potential to make plants sick and spread throughout the system. Stress hormones are produced by plants that are unable to absorb nutrients properly.

When this happens, they lose the ability to fight against infections and sickness, and they are more likely to succumb. In the worst-case situation, your plants would not only die from a lack of oxygen, but also diseases.

Once you’ve figured out how your air stone works, keep an eye on it. If the performance starts to deteriorate, it’s time to clean the stones. If you’re using a growth medium like coco coir, you could notice that areas of the surface are coated in slime or that the fibers have settled, forming a blockage.

Even though your stones appear to be clean, this accumulation might happen due to the microscopic pores. There is a buildup of mineral salts here that won’t wash away without some attention, therefore they need to be cleaned thoroughly.

Cleaning before starting a new growth cycle is a good practice. Not only will your system work as it should, but you will also avoid bringing bacteria into a bacterium-free environment.

There is one reason why many gardeners discover they have clogged airstones and don’t know why. This might be as simple as air escaping from the tube’s plastic junction. The air is no longer driven into the stone after this has occurred.

Types of Air Stones for a Tank

Let’s have a look at the types of air stones you can get for your tank.

Types of Air StonesFeatures
Hygger air stoneHeavy and thick. Assists in preventing dirt and debris from gathering in one location.
Flow capacity: 1 L/min for a 2′′/5 cm dimension and 3 L/min for a 4′′/10.2cm dimension.
Bubble diffuser air stoneThey are hefty and produce diverse bubble streams.Needs to soak in water for a while before using.Flow rate: 1.3 L/min, a diameter tube of 0.16′′ / 4mm.Dimensions of 4.5′′ 0.8′′ 0.5′′/ 11.4 2 1.3cm.
Ceramic airstonesRequires 2L jetting volume for 2 minutes and needs 2 to 5W pump.
Disc air diffuserNeeds 3/6 inch tubing and 4W for fitting

Final Verdict

Cleaning airstones can sometimes be a hassle in midst of our hectic lives. The results however really make the efforts worth it. I hope I could help you figure out how to clean airstones for your water tank. Good luck with your water life endeavors!

FAQ

Question 1: How do air stones get clogged?

Answer: Air stones are usually constructed of porous stones, and many aquarium owners report that their fish enjoy the little bubbles they create. Dust, germs, and algae can cause air stones to become blocked.

Question 2: How frequently should an air stone be replaced?

Answer: To keep your tank functioning properly, it’s advised that you change the air stone every three months. You may rest assured that your fish will be happy and healthy as a result of this.

Question 3: Do fish like air stones?

Answer: Yes! Whether or not you have a filter in your aquarium, adding an air stone improves water circulation significantly. Adding an air stone to the aquarium will keep the water cleaner, offer more oxygen to the fish, and bring a variety of health advantages to the aquatic life.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top