Types of Pond Aeration Systems

 Pond Aerators and Aeration Systems

Whether you call it an 'air pump', 'air compressor' or 'pond aerator' - you will need to use a quality aeration system to provide necessary oxygen throughout your pond. 

Having proper aeration is vital to having a healthy pond no matter what time of year it is.  During the hot summer months your fish will benefit because they are very much dependent on the oxygen the aeration system provides.  During winter months, a properly placed aerator will help keep an area of your pond from freezing over solid.  This is absolutely vital because the opening in the ice will provide an exit hole for toxic gases to escape.   If left to freeze over solid, a large fish kill may result, killing all of your living creatures that live within your pond. 

View the diagrams below that shows the difference between fountain type of aerators (referred to as floating pond fountains or fountain aerators) and diffused aeration systems. 

                  Fountain Aerator                                    Diffused Pond Aerator

Fountain aerators are a popular choice when a decorative aerator is desired.  Fountains typically are floating water pumps that have a nozzle and spray water up in the air.  Each water molecule attaches itself to molecules in the air and brings it down into the water when it lands.  The fountain pump works by sucking in water from the water that surrounds the pump.  Some pumps that are large enough pull water in almost via a mini current, if you will, towards the pump.  For deep ponds like 6' deep and deeper, a fountain aerator is not the best choice whereas a diffused aerator is.

A diffused pond aeration system is one that works by means of an air compressor, tubing and an air bubbler or 'diffuser' on the bottom.  Air is sucked in via the air compressor which sits on the shore or in a nearby garage or barn and is pushed through the hose and disperses into millions of tiny little air bubbles which comes out of the air diffuser.  Placing the air diffuser near the deepest part of the pond (but at least 2' shallower than the very deepest) can be an ideal spot because the air that comes out of the diffuser will dissipate in the body of water and throughout the pond - from the bottom, all the way up to the top.  They also provide a very economical way to aerate the pond because it costs a lot less money to push something so light as air than it does to push water via a water pump.

So how do you know what size of aerator you need?  Most of our aerators' product title or description indicates what size of pond they're designed for.  Each aerator kit has been carefully designed with a given length of tubing, size of air diffuser and air compressor.  This is so the air compressor pump will provide the greatest amount of aeration with that specific length and diameter of tubing and size of air diffuser.  Altering the length of tubing and air diffuser would affect the performance of the air pump itself, so we do not recommend it. 

Also in the product description it usually indicates the depth and size of the pond it is ideal for.  Take this in mind when you're considering which type of aerator to get. 

We also have windmill power driven aerators for those whose pond is thousands of feet away from electricity. (We have many options that will allow aeration systems for ponds powered by electricity even if it's a 1000 feet away from the pond or lake.) These would be diffused aeration systems but simply powered by the wind. 

In addition, we also have high volume surface aerators for large ponds and lakes that are typically 6' deep or less. These high volume surface aerators are actually floating water pumps (instead of an air pump) that rapidly churns the water thereby adding air molecules in the water.  They also have an additional benefit from their water agitation at the surface that will cause floating algae, duckweed and other tiny algae or plants to float to the edge of the pond where they can be removed or treated.

We also custom design aeration systems for large ponds, lakes, lagunas, and aquaculture systems so if you have a question, please don't hesitate to ask.  Some information we need are: 

• the size of the pond
• the shape of the pond
• how many fish and what type
• how old the pond may be and the amount of sludge build up
• the type of electricity available (110 or 220)
• the distance the nearest electrical source is  (Some aerators can have their air compressor located hundreds of feet away from the pond and still be very effective. This is great for ponds that don't have electricity nearby.)
• What you're trying to achieve - the best aeration or a pretty water feature

Be sure to contact us if you have any questions at all.  We're happy to help!