My two cents. Root Spa makes a 5 gallon bucket with a blue water level tube. The tube has a thingy inserted in the top that allows you to hook the air pump hose directly to the tube. The water in the bucket gets bubbled with no air stone. When you want to check the water level you just disconnect the pump hose from the pump (or turn the pump off) and the tube fills to show the water level.
These buckets work great. They cut the cost of stones and I've had no algae issues.
Might be something you want to consider buying or making.
These buckets work great. They cut the cost of stones and I've had no algae issues.
Might be something you want to consider buying or making.