Well, I had some huge winds tear through my neck of the woods tonight. The only damage was to the outdoor water solutions windmill... It did not take the wind well and is pretty much totaled.

I'm thinking that I am going to be better served breaking down and running electric out to the pond and putting in some sort of surface aerator or aerator fountain.

My question is, (and I have not researched deep on forum yet...) what are a lot of you aerator/fountain folks out there using? I am debating on a kasco unit, but not sure. My pond is 1/3 acre and 11 feet deep at the deepest point. I'm wanting to keep the water good and clean, and create a good fish environment too. Aesthetics of a fountain would be nice, but not completely necessary. I'm looking for a decent reliable piece of equipment that won't break the bank, or break down yearly.

Thoughts....

What kind of damage did you have? What kind of support did you have for the base?

If you're referring to a Kasco surface aerator I don't believe that is the route you want to go in a pond of your depth. You'll be better served with a compressor and a bottom diffuser(s) and it will probably be cheaper too!

Windmills not in a cement base are prone to blow over, as you now know. Bottom aeration similar to the windmill but with an electric compressor (rotary or rocking piston) will also be alot less maintenance than a windmill or a fountain. Motors in fountains work very hard while running and motor life is relatively short compared to continuous duty rated air compressors. Compressor bottom aerator unit will mix entire pond water column whereas fountain will only mix about as deep as the intake tube. You will also move more water per electrical dollar with a compressor aerator compared to a fountain. Fountains tend to be inefficient because they throw water above the surface into the air which requires a lot of electricity -hp- effort. It is easier to move, lift, push water within water compared to lifting/pushing it above the surface.

PS - YOU may be able to sell the damaged windmll on ebay or locally. There is a demand for repairable aerator windmills.

Cecil & Bill,

Thanks, I appreciate the tips. I am leaning towards the bottom based compressor diffuser. If you guys were buying a system, which would you recommend? Ate these systems something which can be run in the winter as well?

I am trying to drill down to the most trusted and reliable brands to research. I am also looking for the best place to buy from.

rcooked,

I sent you a PM.

rcooked:
I repair Koender,Beckmill and Outdoor Water Solution windmills. I am currently looking for compressors from the above manufacturers that I can use for training for my employees. Should you desire to get rid of your windmill let me know and I can take it off your hands. I can be reached at pondexpert@roadrunner.com.

Ted Lea of ForeverGreen is close to you in Waynesfield, Oh. and one of the best in the aeration industry!

Thanks for all of the advice on here regarding my questions. I ended up looking at the total cost of running electric and purchasing an electric aerator, and decided to keep things "green" around the pond. I ended up just needing to replace 4 blades, and 5 connectors on the windmill. I also set the thing in concrete post buried and used lag bolt in the concrete to hold it in place - all completed and back running today for about $250.00.

While electric might produce more steady results, I am just not sure I want electric at the pond. Not to mention the fact that it would add another $30.00 bucks a month to my bill - and the coop just raised rates 8% of which, I don't see slowing down anytime soon...

Again, thanks to all as it gave me just what I needed to check things out!

Rcooked;
I have a 20' OWS windmill myself. Was your damaged caused by the wind or by a fall resulting from the wind? I concreted my legs in, I'm just wondering if I should anticipate a strong wind tearing my head apart. I purchased OWS's hinges for the tower legs, but they were a joke. I felt better taking my chances without them vs. with them.

Thanks for any info;

Joe

Joe,

Hi. It appears most of the damage resulted from the fall. I ended up having to replace 5 fan blades and 4 supports. Also tightened everything up again. I don't think the wind ended up causing the damage, just the darn fall.

I ended up concreting it with some lag bolts up and bolted it down really good to the concrete with the help of my Dad. I love the windmill, just wished I would have done this the first time.

I get some pretty nasty winds my way several times a year - as we are open. So, I will keep this post in mind as wind moves through if I get any damage.

Kasco's good I use a 1400JFL. If you decide on a Kasco and want aeration as well as a fountain display, you might consider either the 2400VFX 1/2hp, 3400VFX, 3/4hp, or 4400VFX 1hp. These will produce a "V" pattern. Just plug it in. Another company I have worked with and I know well is Aqua Control, They feature fountains from 1/2 hp to 40 hp for bigger lakes. They have what is called the Evolution Series, which might be the best bet for your situation. This features a 1/2 hp floating fountain, complete with everything needed. This also uses plug in and go technology. Nozzles and lights sold seperatly. Once you exceed that 1 hp mark consider a licensed electrician. Those fountains dealing with a 230+V power requirement, ampage may very from unit to unit. But any electricity is dangerous, and for your pond (1/3 acre) plug in units are sufficient. But if you want a 1/2 hp fountain go with Aqua Control. If you want 3/4 or 1 hp choose Kasco. Those units just plug in W/O electrician, provided there is a 120 volt, GFCI rated receptical neer by.
http://www.aquacontrol.com/products/evolution_series/
http://kascomarine.com/products/vfx_series.html


PS; One thing you might like about the Aqua Control is you can convert it from an aerating fountain to a non decorative surface aerator just by removing the slinger disk over the propeller.