How to Make an Airmaker for a Fish Tank

Fish tank air makers are a simple and affordable way to increase aquarium aeration and also provide an attractive stream or column of bubbles rising from the bottom of the tank. Increased aeration ensures that your fish receive enough oxygen to thrive. Aquarium supply stores and department stores with pet supplies offer the supplies you'll need. An air maker, consisting of an air stone and pump, produces the surface agitation required to increase the levels of dissolved oxygen in your fish tank.

Things You'll Need

  • Air stone
  • Air pump
  • Aquarium tubing
  • One-way aquarium check valve
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Instructions

    • 1

      Cut a length of aquarium tubing long enough to reach from where you want to place the air pump to the bottom of your tank.

    • 2

      Attach the air stone to the aquarium tubing.

    • 3

      Feed the air stone and the aquarium hose through the top of the aquarium and bury the air stone in the substrate.

    • 4

      Cut a short piece of aquarium tubing from the free end. Attach the one-way check valve to the long piece of aquarium hose, and then attach the smaller piece to the other end of the valve. Attach the hose to the air pump and plug it in.

    • 5

      Check that the bubble stone is releasing bubbles. If there is a failure, check the line for kinks and verify that you installed the valve correctly.