Advantages for Using Aerators
- Kerri Bailey, BS CH
- 6 hours ago
- 3 min read
Aerator systems can benefit the ecological balance of ponds by providing a continuous oxygen source crucial for healthy fish, plants and beneficial bacteria. Having an aerator in your pond is like having a dissolved oxygen insurance policy- if your pump fails you have a backup system to provide the air your pond needs to provide a healthy ecosystem.
When diffusers are placed near the bottom of ponds they infuse subsurface air increasing dissolved oxygen levels while stirring up stagnant areas where algae & debris may collect. Aerators may also help prevent ice from forming or at least provide a hole at the water’s surface during winter months.
Some advantages to using aerators you may wan to consider:
Ice Prevention- Provides an Air Hole for gases to escape during winter months
Improve Water Quality- stirs up debris and circulates water in stagnant areas where algae may tend to accumilate. Benefiial Bacteria will also do their job better with additional aeration and higher dissolved oxygen levels
Energy Efficiency- back up air especially if your pump fails. Low energy cost to run
Easy Installation- Most are very easy to install and have quiet operation
Most Have 2 year Warranty
Aerator systems or “kits” typically include: an air diaphragm compressor, air line, manifold (some) and air diffuser(s). Additional lines may be added with a manifold that has ports and small valves to control the air flow.
Choosing an Aeration Kit
It’s important to choose the right size aerator system kit for the size pond. There are a few factors to consider:
1. Size – Surface Area. We need to choose the right size aeration kit for the size of your pond in order to properly circulate the water. This will also factor in how many air diffusers you may need- larger ponds typically need more diffusers than smaller ponds.
2. Depth. It’s important to know how deep your pond is to make the best selection for the air diaphragm compressor to work properly. Smaller units like the Aquascape Pond Air-2 or 4 are suitable for most shallow backyard ponds. Larger units like the Titan air compressors we carry in stock can operate in deeper depths for larger ponds.
3. Shape. Irregular shaped ponds may have stagnant areas where multiple air diffusers may be required.
Aerator systems or “kits” typically include: an air diaphragm compressor, air line, manifold (some) and air diffuser(s). Additional lines may be added with a manifold that has ports and small valves to control the air flow.
Installation an aeration system is relatively easy. The air compressor sits outside of the pond near the water’s edge while the diffusers (stones or discs) are attached to the line and then placed in the water. Just make sure the airline check valve end is plugged into the air diffuser outside of the water (if applicable). This protects the unit from allowing water to enter it from the pond.
Pro Tip- If you have fish, visible sludge & debris, and a large pond you may want to consider the following: After installing your aerator system, gradually run the aerator until the pond is used to it. There are many gases that get released and other things that get stirred up that need time to balance that can negatively affect your fish. So, you may choose to run the aerators for 15-30minutes the first day, an hour the next, 2 hours the next, and so on increasing the time each day for a week of so until you run it continuously. Most small to medium backyard ponds may not need to take this step.
How Depth Effects Aeration Placement
The placement of aerator discs or stones is another important factor to consider, especially if you have fish. During the summer months the placement of air stones or discs should be closer to the bottom of the pond to increase the dissolved oxygen levels and reduce stagnation. This can greatly benefit fish during warmer temperatures and may decrease the amount of algae bloom outbreaks.
During winter months, when the water is colder, there are higher levels of dissolved oxygen in the water. If you keep your air stones or discs at the bottom of the pond year-round it can disrupt the thermal stratification layers causing supercooling which can negatively affect your fish. To avoid this, move your air stones/discs closer to the water surface sometime in the fall before the cold weather hits your region. This will also help your pond from completely freezing over and provide holes for harmful gases, like hydrogen sulfide to escape into the atmosphere. In the spring as the weather warms, you can move the air discs/stones lower into the bottom of the pond.
At Nature Perfect Pond & Supply Store, we can help you choose an aeration system to fit your pond’s size and your budget!