In nature, oxygen dissolves in water through diffusion, surface contact, turbulence, algae, and plants. Despite some of those elements being present in artificial waters, the lack of volume limits the amount of oxygen dissolved in your aquarium.
Regardless of the volume of your tank and the amount of bioload, external infusion of oxygen into the water is critical. Air stones and bubblers are created exactly for that reason.
In this article, we’ll review 10 popular and efficient air stones and bubblers for your aquarium.
Table of Contents
10 Best Air Stone and Fish Tank Bubblers
1. Pawfly Aquarium 4 Inch Disk Air Stone
| Item | Specification |
| No. of Stones | 1 Disk |
| Suitable Tank Size | 40 gallons |
| Dimensions | 4 x 4 x 0.7 inches |
| Attachment Style | Three suction cups. Attached to the bottom |
| Installation Procedure | Plug and Use. Hole punching isn’t required |
| Item Weight | 0.44 lbs |
| Air Pump Power Requirement | > 4 W |
| Required Accessories | 3/16” or 3/8” tubing |
| Bubble Size | Medium |
| Material Texture | Rough stone |
| Jetting Volume | 12 L / Min |
Made of natural mineral materials and sintered at a very high temperature, the Pawfly 4 Inch Disk Air Stone creates medium bubbles at 12 LPM without harming the fish and the plants. It requires a minimum of 4W pump to function and is suitable for up to 50-gallon tanks.
Pros
- Heavy unit. Stays stable in the water.
- Suction cups anchor it pretty well to the bottom.
- Medium consistent bubbles
Cons
- Doesn’t bubble from the whole surface initially. It takes a while for it to reach its potential.
Summary
Suitable for medium aquariums with lots of livestock.
2. VIVOSUN Air Stone 4 Inch Cylindrical
| Item | Specification |
| No. of Stones | 2 Cylindrical Stones |
| Suitable Tank Size | 30 gallons |
| Dimensions | 4 x 2 x 2 inches |
| Attachment Style | Freestanding. Stable. |
| Installation Procedure | Plug and Use. Hole punching isn’t required |
| Item Weight | 1.54 lbs |
| Air Pump Power Requirement | 4 – 8 W |
| Required Accessories | 0.16” or 4 mm air tube. T-Connector or Y-Connectors to use both units. |
| Bubble Size | Fine to Medium |
| Material Texture | Rough Stone |
| Flow Rate | 2.5 LPM |
Producing finer bubbles at a 2.5 LPM rate, the VIVOSUN Air Stone comes in a package of 2 bubbler units. The tall cylindrical air stones stand at the bottom freely to create columns of small air bubbles and replenish tank oxygen. The material of the cylinders is similar to that of the pawfly Disk and stays inert in the water to not harm the aquatic creatures.
Pros
- Suitable size for deeper aquariums.
- Despite being long, it’s quite stable.
- Doesn’t involve any complications while installing. Just put it inside the tank and connect the air tube.
Cons
- Required a much higher powered pump to work efficiently.
Summary
Suitable for aquariums with more depth.
3. VIVOSUN Air Stone Disc 8 Inch
| Item | Specification |
| No. of Stones | 1 Disk |
| Suitable Tank Size | 60 gallons |
| Dimensions | 8 x 8 x 1.2 inches |
| Attachment Style | Three suction cups and rubber pads attached to the bottom |
| Installation Procedure | Plug and Use. Hole punching isn’t required |
| Item Weight | 2.2 lbs |
| Air Pump Power Requirement | > 16 W |
| Required Accessories | 0.32” or 8mm tubing |
| Bubble Size | Fine bubbles |
| Material Texture | Rough stone |
A larger version of the previously reviewed 4” model, the VIVOSUN 8” model requires a more powerful 16W pump to function efficiently. Rated to support up to 60-gallon aquariums, this air stone uses mineral material and creates finer bubbles. It also is non-toxic and is sintered at a high temperature.
Pros
- Produces a plethora of dense bubbles.
- Stays stable inside water and the suction caps are strong enough to hold it in place.
- Easy to clean and maintain.
Cons
- Requires a monster pump to work at full potential.
- Requires regular maintenance.
Summary
Suitable for bigger aquariums with lots of fish and plants.
4. Quickun Aquarium Air Stone Bar 23 Inch
| Item | Specification |
| No. of Stones | 1 Long Cylindrical Bar |
| Suitable Tank Size | Up to 30 gallons |
| Dimensions | 23 x 0.394 inches |
| Attachment Style | Three suction cups. Attached to the bottom |
| Installation Procedure | Plug and Use. You need to punch holes before using it. |
| Item Weight | 2.1 oz |
| Air Pump Power Requirement | > 4 W |
| Required Accessories | 3/16” tubing. T-Connector or Y-Connector to connect the tubing to both ends. |
| Bubble Size | As per your choice |
| Material Texture | Rough stone |
Suitable for tanks over 23” in length and below 30 gallons in volume, the Quickun Aquarium Air Stone is a narrow cylindrical bar-shaped fish tank bubbler. It attaches to the bottom by three suction cups and the bubble sizes can be customized by punching pin holes as per your preference.
Pros
- Long bar to homogeneously distribute the airflow.
- Provision to plug air tubings at both ends.
- Works pretty well as a background bubbler.
Cons
- Cheaper material quality.
- Needs to punch holes for it to work.
- The far end of the bar doesn’t work as efficiently if the pump is connected at one end.
Summary
A bit underwhelming in terms of quality, but is suitable for smaller aquariums, paired with other bubblers.
5. Pawfly Aquarium Air Stone Bar Bubbler 4 Inch
| Item | Specification per Stone |
| No. of Stones | 4 Square Bars |
| Suitable Tank Size | 5 gallons |
| Dimensions | 4 x 0.8 x 0.5 inches |
| Attachment Style | Freestanding. Sits at the bottom. |
| Installation Procedure | Plug and Use. Hole punching isn’t required |
| Item Weight | 1 oz per stone |
| Air Pump Power Requirement | > 2.5 W / unit |
| Required Accessories | 3/16” tubing |
| Bubble Size | Medium bubbles |
| Material Texture | Rough stone |
| Flow Rate | 1.3 LPM |
A set of 4 small bar bubblers, the Pawfly 4” Air Stone creates medium bubbles and requires a 2.5W pump. While the whole set comes together to fulfill the oxygen demands of a 20-gallon tank, each one can’t accomplish the requirements of more than 5-gallon. However, the material is premium and doesn’t negatively affect aquatic health.
Pros
- Easy to use. Soak in water for a few hours and dump inside with the air tubing attached.
- Stable and sits perfectly well at the bottom.
- Cost-effective. The pricing is quite reasonable considering the quality you get.
Cons
- Needs a strong pump for all of them to function.
Summary
Great for multiple smaller aquariums like betta and planted guppy tanks.
6. Pawfly 12 Inch Bar Diffuser Air Stone
| Item | Specification |
| No. of Stones | 1 Rectangular Bar |
| Suitable Tank Size | Up to 70 gallons |
| Dimensions | 12 x 1.5 x 0.5 inches |
| Attachment Style | Sits at the bottom |
| Installation Procedure | Plug and Use. Hole punching isn’t required |
| Item Weight | 4 oz |
| Air Pump Power Requirement | > 7 W |
| Required Accessories | 3/16” tubing |
| Bubble Size | Two modes for fine and medium bubbles |
| Material Texture | Rough stone |
| Flow Rate | 17 LPM |
Designed to deliver two bubble modes (fine and medium), the Pawfly 12” Bar Air Stone stays stable in water and keeps your tank oxygen-rich through its homogenous wall of bubbles. Thanks to its larger area and powerful flow rate of 17 LPM, a pair of them can fulfill the oxygen demands of even a small pond.
Pros
- Great aesthetics and compact design.
- 2 Bubble modes. Fine with a higher flow rate and medium with low flow.
- Compressed with sand and wrapped in plastic. Doesn’t harm aquatic creatures.
Cons
- Needs a powerful air pump to function.
Summary
Ideal for larger tanks and smaller ponds.
7. Hygger Aquarium Modern Air Stone 4 Inch
| Item | Specification |
| No. of Stones | 1 Disk |
| Suitable Tank Size | 40 gallons |
| Dimensions | 4 x 4 x 1.5 inches |
| Attachment Style | Sits at the bottom |
| Installation Procedure | Plug and Use. Hole punching isn’t required |
| Item Weight | 0.9 lbs |
| Air Pump Power Requirement | > 4 W |
| Required Accessories | 0.16” tubing not included. T-connector, Suction Cups, Reducer, and Control Valve are included in the kit. |
| Bubble Size | Fine Bubbles |
| Material Texture | Smooth matte surface |
Suitable for tanks up to 40 gallons, the Hygger 4” Air Stone and Bubbler generates dense, tiny bubbles through its matte surface of pinholes. While working as efficiently as the traditional air stones, it distinguishes itself in terms of appearance. Moreover, the bubble sizes can be adjusted in this unit.
Pros
- Sintered at high temperature to make the material sturdy and durable.
- Almost 1 lb in weight, the unit sits at the bottom very stably.
- Most necessary accessories are included in the kit.
Cons
- The pricing is in a bit higher range.
Summary
Suitable for medium tanks with huge oxygen demand.
8. AnxunJim Aquarium Groot Air Bubbler
| Item | Specification |
| No. of Stones | 1 Decorative Unit |
| Suitable Tank Size | 5-10 gallons |
| Dimensions | 2.6 x 2.36 x 4.33 inches |
| Attachment Style | Three suction cups. Attached to the bottom |
| Installation Procedure | Sits at the bottom |
| Item Weight | 7 oz |
| Air Pump Power Requirement | > 2.5 W |
| Required Accessories | 0.16” tubing, T-connector, Suction Cups, Reducer, and Control Valve included in the kit |
| Bubble Size | Medium |
| Material Texture | Resin, Non-Toxic |
The AnxunJim Groot Air Bubbler is primarily a decorative item for your aquarium. It generates medium-sized air bubbles to fulfill the demands of up to 10-gallon fish tanks. This unit doesn’t require any complex setup or a powerful pump to function. Moreover, the only accessories that you may need are included in the kit.
Pros
- It looks very cute and is perfect for planted aquariums.
- Apart from being a fish tank bubbler, it’s a great explorative item for your fish.
- It’s made from non-toxic resin. It shouldn’t fade, fall off, or harm your fish.
- Can also be used in saltwater aquariums.
Cons
- Not very powerful
Summary
Suitable for any small aquarium as a decorative accessory.
9. Pawfly Aquarium 1 Inch Air Stone
| Item | Specification |
| No. of Stones | 10 Cylindrical Stones |
| Suitable Tank Size | NA |
| Dimensions | 0.6 x 0.6 x 1 inches |
| Attachment Style | Freestanding. Sits at the bottom. |
| Installation Procedure | Plug and Use. Hole punching isn’t required |
| Item Weight | 0.3 oz |
| Air Pump Power Requirement | 2 – 4W |
| Required Accessories | 3/16” tubing |
| Bubble Size | Fine bubbles |
| Material Texture | Rough stone |
| Jetting Volume | 0.8 LPM |
Packaged to cater to multiple smaller aquariums or one medium-sized one, the Pawfly 1” Air Stone is small enough to be hidden below substrates and generate columns of fine bubbles. The build quality of this product, despite its smaller size, is premium and durable. Being sintered in high temperatures, it also shouldn’t harm your fish.
Pros
- Small, compact, and efficient air stones.
- Easy to use. But the tubings may need to be managed if you’re connecting multiple ones from a single pump.
- Suitable for both freshwater and saltwater operations.
Cons
- Very lightweight. Often floats up, if not anchored.
- A single stone isn’t sufficiently powerful.
Summary
Best to be used in clusters in medium-sized aquariums. You may also scatter them in larger aquariums to generate sporadic columns.
10. UPETTOOLS Hanging Aquarium Air Stone
| Item | Specification |
| No. of Stones | 1 disk-shaped hanging Unit |
| Suitable Tank Size | 10 – 25 gallons |
| Dimensions | 2.36 x 2.36 x 3 inches |
| Attachment Style | Two suction cups. Attached to the wall |
| Installation Procedure | Plug and Use. Hole punching isn’t required |
| Item Weight | 3.17 oz |
| Air Pump Power Requirement | 2 – 6 W |
| Required Accessories | 3/16” tubing |
| Bubble Size | Fine and Medium |
| Material Texture | Matte surface |
Designed to stick to the aquarium walls and generate super fine bubbles, the UPETTOOLS Air Stone T60 is one of the most handsome bubblers out there. Weighting only around 3 ounces, this fish tank bubbler can cater to aquariums up to 25 gallons in size. The control valve, included in the package, can be used to control the flow rate and bubble size.
Pros
- All the accessories, except the tubing, are included in the package.
- Very fine bubbles are produced
- It doesn’t require a massive pump to reach the bubbling threshold.
Cons
- The suction cups included in the package are of cheaper quality.
Summary
Great for smaller betta, axolotl, and hydroponic tanks.
Buying Guide
Hundreds of other airstone products are available in pet stores and online marketplaces for you to choose from. While ultimately the choice depends on your preference and requirements, we’ve prepared a buying guide for you to fall back on.
Here are the elements that you should verify before buying an air stone:
1. Air Stone Size and Shape
To evenly and sufficiently distribute oxygen in the tank, you’re required to choose an appropriately sized air stone. It should neither be too large to cover the whole width nor too small to meet the oxygen demand.
The shape of the air stone also plays an essential role. A disk-shaped stone creates a bubble column that’s more suitable for strong fish species, while the bar-shaped bubblers are better suited for smaller fish species.
2. Material Quality
Natural stones, non-toxic resin, and non-reactive materials are used to make air stones and fish tank bubblers. If your preferred product is made from natural minerals, ensure it’s sintered in high temperatures.
Always soak the air stones for a few hours before using them to remove harmful residues and also to keep them submerged.
3. Bubble Size
Air stones are intended to make smaller microbubbles. Smaller bubbles dissolve oxygen quicker in the water and also make the process aesthetically pleasing. Most premium air stones can be controlled to adjust the bubble size by regulating the airflow.
But, it’s worth keeping an eye out for while buying.
4. Noise Level
A level of noise is expected from the air stones. Bubbles peeking through the microscopic holes, them traveling, popping, everything contributes to the overall noise level. However, a well-built bubbler should be able to restrict them to a lesser extent.
FAQs
Yes. Air stones are great for replenishing oxygen in your fish tanks. They generate microbubbles that infuse oxygen in the water.
Depending on the quality of the material, air stones can last for about a few weeks with heavy usage. After that, they start to lose their ability to create smaller bubbles and the pores start to clog up.
However, gentle brushing and rinsing often clears the pores up.
Soak the air stone for a few hours, dip it in the tank, and connect it to the air pump.
We recommend keeping the air pump on 24/7. Your fish, sleeping or not, needs oxygen to function.
The Bottom Line
We’ve reviewed and summarized the best air stones and fish tank bubblers available online. If you need more assistance, please go through the buying guide discussed in this article. Hopefully, you’ll now be able to give your aquarium the oxygen boost that it desperately needs.