How to Clean an Air Stone

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Air stones are the part of the aquarium aeration system that create cascades of tiny bubbles and help oxygenate the tank. [1] Usually, they are made of porous stone and many aquarium users say their fish like the small bubbles they produce. Air stones can become clogged with dust, bacteria, or algae. Fortunately, you can clean them in a few easy steps.

Part 1
Part 1 of 2:

Removing and Cleaning Your Air Stones

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  1. Turn off and unplug all air stone and filtration devices in your tank. If your air stone is underneath gravel in your aquarium, carefully move the gravel to the side off of your air stone with a long fish net, or your hands if you prefer. [2]
    • Lift the air stone out of the tank and disconnect it from any tubes it is connected to.
  2. The black rubber pieces at the end of your air stone will need to come off so that your cleaning solution gets inside the air stone. Carefully remove these pieces with your fingers and set them aside. [3]
    • The end pieces may seem stuck at first. Gently twist them back and forth to loosen them as you pull them off the tube.
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  3. Measure 1 fluid ounce (30 mL) of bleach in a glass measuring jar and dump it into the jar you’re using for cleaning. Next measure 9 fluid ounces (270 mL) of water in your measuring jar and dump that into your cleaning jar with the bleach. [4]
    • Continue doing this until you have enough solution to cover all the pieces of air stone you intend to clean.
  4. Gently drop all your pieces – the air stones themselves, the rubber end pieces, and any dirty connecting tubes into your bleach solution. Wait 2-3 hours, then gently swirl the air stones in the solution to remove any loosened gunk before you take them out of the solution. [5]
    • Wear rubber cleaning gloves when dipping your fingers into the bleach solution to remove your air stone pieces.
  5. Use warm running water to rinse your pieces, then set them on a towel or paper towels near a sunny window until they're completely dry. [6]
    • Avoid drying your air stone with a towel, which can break your brittle pieces. [7]
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Part 2
Part 2 of 2:

Reinstalling Your Clean Air Stones

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  1. Your rubber end pieces will need to be securely replaced on the ends of your air stone so the air is forced to go through the stone, instead of the ends of the tube, when it is reinstalled. Gently squeeze the silicone to get 2-3 tiny beads onto the edge of your air stone tube where a rubber piece was attached. [8]
    • Obtain some silicone from your local hardware store.
  2. When you do this, some silicone will squeeze out of the sides; use a damp, clean cloth to wipe this extra silicone off the sides of the tube. [9]
    • Allow the silicone to dry for the amount of time listed on the silicone package instructions.
    • Repeat these previous steps for the other side and any other tubes.
  3. Reconnect your air stone to all its tubing in the same way that you did when you originally installed it. Place your air stone back into the tank and cover it with gravel using your hands or a long fish net. [10]
    • When everything is back in place, plug in and turn on your air filtration and air stone devices.
  4. A clean air stone releases tiny bubbles from its entire length. A dirty air stone will start to release larger bubbles just from the ends of the stone. In 2-3 months you may start to notice a difference in the quality of bubbles coming from your air stone. [11]
    • For best results, clean your entire aquarium at the same time that you clean your air stones.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    What do air stones actually do?
    Aaron Bernard
    Fish & Aquarium Specialist
    Aaron Bernard is an Aquarium Specialist and the Owner of Limited Edition Corals in Phoenix, Arizona. With over ten years of experience, Aaron specializes in aquarium maintenance, custom design, manufacture, installation, and moving. Aaron holds a BS in Biochemistry from Arizona State University, where he studied the effects of climate change on coral reefs and began to propagate his corals.
    Aaron Bernard
    Fish & Aquarium Specialist
    Expert Answer
    Air stones help raise the oxygen levels in the tank water to keep your fish healthy.
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      Things You’ll Need

      • Long fish net
      • Bleach
      • Water
      • Glass jar
      • Rubber gloves
      • Tube of silicone

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      References

      1. ↑ Aaron Bernard. Fish & Aquarium Specialist. Expert Interview. 17 July 2020.
      2. ↑ http://animals.mom.me/keep-home-aquarium-clean-water-clear-8425.html
      3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46GPZPJ21l8&feature=youtu.be&t=25
      4. ↑ https://nippyfish.net/2009/03/30/how-to-disinfect-sanitize-your-aquarium-with-bleach/
      5. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46GPZPJ21l8&feature=youtu.be&t=37
      6. ↑ http://animals.mom.me/keep-home-aquarium-clean-water-clear-8425.html
      7. ↑ http://animals.mom.me/keep-home-aquarium-clean-water-clear-8425.html
      8. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46GPZPJ21l8&feature=youtu.be&t=61
      9. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46GPZPJ21l8&feature=youtu.be&t=69
      1. ↑ http://www.healthstartsinthekitchen.com/2016/11/09/diy-canning-mason-jar-aquaponics-aquarium/
      2. ↑ http://animals.mom.me/keep-home-aquarium-clean-water-clear-8425.html

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