Commercial Products

Accessories

Aeration Equipment

Air Stones and Diffusers

Aeration is used primarily for oxygenation but may also be used for mixing of water volumes. The efficiency of bubble diffusers will depend largely on two factors:-

1. The size of the bubbles that are liberated - the smaller the bubbles, the higher the surface area to volume ratio, and hence the more efficient the gas transfer.

2. The contact time that the bubble has with the water - i.e. the depth of the tank.

Technical Fact

A medium sized air bubble of 3mm will rise at a rate of 1 ft/sec and hence, a bubble released from a depth of 3 ft will have a contact time of 3 seconds. Air injected at depths greater than 4 ft can lead to excess nitrogen dissolving in the water. This can result in what is commonly known as 'air bubble disease'.

Smaller bubbles can be created using air stones with smaller pore sizes. However, with this reduction in pore size comes an increase in the pressure required to produce the bubbles. Smaller pore sizes also have a greater tendency to become blocked. This can occur through dust from the air inflow, the formation of calcium carbonate (especially in hard and saltwater) and through a build-up of bacterial slime on the external surface.

High Pressure Bubble Diffuser

Medium pore diffusers tend to be used most frequently. Our range of medium pore air stones all have barb fittings for connection to air lines.

Fine air stones produce bubbles of less than 3mm. Our range of fine pore air stones have ozone-resistant threaded fittings for connection to rigid pipework.

The air stone bumpers fit all 1 ¹/₂" diffusers and are used to protect the tank from the diffuser (and vice versa)

The extra fine pore, High Pressurised Bubble Diffusers are an efficient method of oxygenating water. They require a working pressure of 1.7 bar (25psi). They should be used in conjunction with a dry gas source from a compressor, oxygen concentrator or bulk oxygen cylinder.

Technical Details