Different Approaches Using Large Pond Aeration Equipment

Depending on what type of water feature you are dealing with, a residential pond, farm pond, commercial pond, golf course pond, storm retention pond, or lagoon you may want to use a different style of aerator. Some common systems include:

• Small Pond Aeration Systems - Can aerate ponds up to 1-1/2 acres with a compressor, airline, and diffuser.
• Large Pond Aeration Systems - Made for larger or irregular shaped ponds or lakes up to 4 acres and operate with a compressor, airline, and diffuser.
• Lake Aeration Systems - Ideal for ponds and lakes over 3 acres and also include a compressor, airline, and diffuser.
• Windmill Aeration Systems - When you are in a situation were no electricity is close by, this may be your best option. It depends on your area and winds, but most of these systems can handle ponds up to 1 surface acre. They work by the windmill powering the compressor thats hooked up to the airline and diffuser.
• Surface Aerators - When the pond is too shallow for a bottom aerator you can use a surface aerator. They work great for controlling duckweed and surface algae.
• Aerating Fountains - These are decorative fountain aerators for a variety of pond and lake sizes. Available in different spray patterns and lighting options for function and beauty.

The important thing is to start pond aeration and water treatments before things get too bad. By using large pond aeration equipment with bacteria and enzymes you can maintain the pond "naturally". If your pond goes past the point of no return it could be very costly to dredge. If fact, we have heard of homeowners having to pay $100,000 to have a shallow 2 acre pond dredged.

Aeration systems in the past were expensive and not that effective. But, manufacturers have continued to improve lake aerator systems allowing enhanced benefits for less cost. This allows you to aerate more water with more energy efficiency using a lower horsepower pump. New small compressors can be used at lower depths, but still should be 6' deep.

Why Add a Aeration System?

1. During the summer months standing bodies of water will thermally stratify. This means that the bottom of the pond is low on oxygen, or sometimes completely without oxygen by mid summer. During this time organic sedimentation will increase and bottom feeding fish will become stressed. Adding a aeration system will help break up that thermal stratification and bring oxygen back to the pond bottom.
2. When you use algae and weed treatments oxygen levels drop. By using a aerator system you can keep oxygen levels up to reduce the risk of fish kills.
3. Installing a proper lake aerator system will increase the total oxygen levels to help the lake or pond clean itself. Living in the sediment of your lake is beneficial microorganisms. These little guys help process nutrients in the pond water, and are limited in their activity level by the amount of oxygen available. By having enough oxygen in the water yo can increase clarity, eliminate bad odors, prevent organic sedimentation, and help reduce algae growth.
4. During the winter air to water transfer is prevented from surface ice. This becomes a problem, because normally the pond water will still get oxygen by sunlight going through the ice and being absorbed by plants. The plants then give off oxygen in the water. But, if snow falls and covers the ice and now the plants will use oxygen instead of giving it off. When this happens fish do not have enough oxygen to survive and will die. A way to prevent this is by adding a aerator in a shallow area to keep a hole open in the ice. This lets gases escape, and the pond can breathe. Just be careful depending on the depth of your pond. With small koi ponds this isn't an issue as the water temps in the top and bottom of the pond are usually the same. When you get to deeper depths warmer water is usually at the pond bottom. If you aerate too deep it could do what they call "super cooling" and kill your fish. You should aerate at 50% of max depth and on the side of the pond in these situations.
5. Helps reduce algae problems by constantly agitating the surface water

Adding Bacteria and Enzymes With Your Aerator

We recommend using bacterial augmentation and enzymatic products along with aeration systems to help reduce muck, and algae. Using both most shorelines can turn from muck to clean in one season.

The great thing about using bacteria and enzymes is you can spot treat areas that have algae instead of having to treat an entire body of water.

Winter, and Fall Prep for Lakes and Large Fish Ponds

Without a proper cool-season prep you could have 100% turnover. If this were to happen it could mean complete fish loss from cold weather stratification. When this happens the upper oxygenated water is separated from cold water below the pond surface. To avoid this from happening we recommend:

• Depending on depth, aerate the pond from the bottom to keep oxygen levels equalized, or place aerator at 50% depth on the side of the pond
• If possible remove dead leaves, or other debris that could feed algae

Any questions about lake aeration please shoot us a email. We can help with proper pump sizing, airline installation questions, or anything else.