Pond aeration questions

[djw250]

I currently use a Harbor Freight submersible pump with a homeade fountain head (PVC cap with holes drilled in it) set about 5 feet above the water. This is in the smaller of 2 oxidation ponds, about 75 x 50 x 4 feet deep. I run it about 50% of the time, and it has been in for about 4 years. I have to clean the sprinkler head now and then, but it seems to be pretty effective. One added benefit is that it lowers the water temperature in the summer by about 10 degrees. I even made a smaller version for our above ground pool after I found that out and it works like a champ.

 

[farmerbillwilson]

I've tried to cobble together an aeration system, it works, but not well. I recently purchased a Vertex System and it is worth the price. Well built, aluminum cabinet and very quiet. There are a fair number of vendors that offer this system, but I found a company that mapped out the right system and I had a custom unit 5 days after order. Worth every penny.

 

[Pettrix]

Well, this is kinda a follow-up on my pond building seen here http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/rural-living/249222-my-pond-building-pictorial.html

I have been doing a TON of reading and searching on fountains and aerators.

I basically have 3 options.

1. Do nothing like several other ponds around that I have always fished in, and rely on nature.
2. Fountain pump of some sort.
3. Aerator

I really dont like option 1 because this will also be a swimming hole and I would like the water to stay somewhat clean.
I dont like option 2 either because they are more costly to run, and just something about having a power cord in the water :EEK:

So lets hear it guys. What would you do?? or what do you currently have if you have a pond???

AERATION IS MANDATORY unless you want the pond to become a toxic, smelly, dead, mosquito haven swamp.

I have a pond (albeit a lot smaller than yours) and aeration is key to keep the aerobic bacteria alive, along with the fish. The aerobic bacteria eat away at the waste and give the fish their much needed oxygen. It also keeps the water agitated so their is constant motion in it.

Aerobic bacteria (oxygen based) eat the organic compounds at a rate 100 times faster than anaerobic (not oxygen based) bacteria. It's weird but some of the same principles apply in septic systems as well. (aerobic systems work better than anaerobic systems)

Option#1 does NOT apply because this pond is NOT "natural", it is man made, and therefore it will not work like a nature made pond because nature did not make it. Natural ponds are spring fed or rely on a stream, creek or river for the inlet. Digging a hole in the ground and filling it water will turn into a mess, very quickly. You are trying to replicate nature, which requires oxygen, filtration, plant life, introduction of fish, etc.

Give the pond oxygen, you give it life.

My other question is will the pond be lined with something to keep the water from draining back into the soil?
Will you stock the pond with fish?

I highly recommend checking this site out and maybe even giving them a call, they know their ponds:
http://theponddigger.com/
http://www.theponddigger.com/supplies/Aerators-and-Pond-Air-Pumps/c13/index.html

 

[LD1]

Well, I went ahead and ordered this kit mdpnddesc

I figure for the price, I'll try it out. It doesnt say, so I called, and it is a thomas pump, so that is good:thumbsup:

Cheapest I could find a comparable thomas or gast pump was still close to this price. and this kit comes with the difuser and 50' of hose. I will go to harbor freight and get another ~150' of air hose so I can mount this in the garage and run the air-line out to the pond.

If we ever get any darn rain, I'll let everyone know how it works. I know that more air is better, but I also dont want something that will put too much hurting on the electric bill I hope this pump works out, cause for the price I couldnt find anything better.

 

[czechsonofagun]

I run Sugar Creek Fountains for 8 years now. It works well enough, in hot summer times I time it to go only at night, since cold air is better for aeration.

But the real aeration is via compressor, no question about it.

I tried cheap compressor from HF to pump air in the water and it lasted 6 month or so. Y9ou should get a gast or thomas compressor from ebay and diffuser from one of the suppliers. You can rig the rest up yourself.

 

[LD1]

Y9ou should get a gast or thomas compressor from ebay and diffuser from one of the suppliers. You can rig the rest up yourself.

That is what I was planning on doing, but pricing the gast and/or thomas 1/20HP compressors, they were still $220-$230 by them selves. So I went ahead and got the $289 kit which I figured wasnt bad, cause it IS a thomas compressor, comes with the diffuser, 50' of hose, fittings, and power cord (which usually isnt included in the $220-230 comp. only deals I saw).

I figured If I tried to save $50 by getting the compressor only, I'd spend way more than that by the time I got the diffuser and hose. As it is now, all I will need is about another 150' of hose.

 

[murphy1244]

That is what I was planning on doing, but pricing the gast and/or thomas 1/20HP compressors, they were still $220-$230 by them selves. So I went ahead and got the $289 kit which I figured wasnt bad, cause it IS a thomas compressor, comes with the diffuser, 50' of hose, fittings, and power cord (which usually isnt included in the $220-230 comp. only deals I saw).

I figured If I tried to save $50 by getting the compressor only, I'd spend way more than that by the time I got the diffuser and hose. As it is now, all I will need is about another 150' of hose.

Is the hose weighted? better buy some cheap bolts and zip ties too.

 

[LD1]

No the hose isnt weighted. I was planning on laying some old clay tile in the bottom of the pond and running the hose through that to keep it down. The aerator is self weighted also so that will help.
If I dont use the tile, I will come up with some other means because weighted hose is $$$ and I dont see myself buying any anytime soon.

 

[Pettrix]

Is the hose weighted? better buy some cheap bolts and zip ties too.

They do sell weighted marine air hoses. It resists UV and does not break down in water.

 

[farmerbillwilson]

They do sell weighted marine air hoses. It resists UV and does not break down in water.

Use the weighted tubing, you will be much happier in the long term. Weighing the tubing down with bricks is difficult. Try these guys, they answer their phone, give good advice and have fair pricing on aerators. https://www.organicpond.com/