Forums36
Topics41,050
Posts558,882
Members18,557
|
Most Online3,612 Jan 10th, 2023
|
|
8 members (FishinRod, Thirdy8special, Boondoggle, SSJSayajin, Sunil, Alligatorob, catscratch, Bgroamer),
976
guests, and
266
robots. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
|
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 9
|
OP
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 9 |
I have been searching for information on this and have become a bit overwhelmed! I am new to pond ownership and in need of advice. Our scenario: We have 1.5 acre pond about 60 years old. It is triangle shaped and 15' deep at the dam and tapers down to just a couple of feet deep on the far end. It had been neglected for about the last 30 years and was in terrible shape when we bought the property. Lots of algae, water meal and muck on the bottom. No fish in the pond just frogs and turtles. We drained the pond, cleaned up the dam, installed a new drain pipe and dredged about 3/4 of the muck out once it dried up this past fall. The pond has since filled up and we have stocked it per DNR recommendations. We have had an algae bloom in the last couple of weeks and would like to get things under control. So.... I have have been told aeration is the way to go but can't decide which type would be most effective. We do have a farm panel right next to the pond so electricity is not an issue other than cost. I was considering a windmill but have since started to question that.
Tom
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 709
Ambassador Lunker
|
Ambassador Lunker
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 709 |
Hi Tom ~ Electric aeration is by far the most dependable for continuous 24-7 aeration. It wouldn't cost very much to run a system for your pond ~
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 969
Lunker
|
Lunker
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 969 |
Hi Tom and welcome aboard ! I have both windmill and electric for display purposes. Like Sue mentions for 24/7 dependability go electric.Consider having Sue or myself size you a "proper" system to meet your goals starting with a no obligation aerial map.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 28,642 Likes: 877
Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
|
Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 28,642 Likes: 877 |
Another vote for electric. One property that we manage has 3 ponds on it. One strictly electric aeration, one both windmill and electric and the last one strictly windmill. 2 years ago the strictly windmill pond had a winterkill........
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,326 Likes: 307
Moderator
|
Moderator
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,326 Likes: 307 |
Tom since you've got electricity, to me it's a no-brainer. I really wanted a windmill aeration system on one pond since there's no electricity available, but the sustained winds around here just weren't enough to ensure that it would pump during the summer when I needed it the most.
I would think an electrical system for an 1.5 acre pond would be quite affordable for the ROI.
AL
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 20,043 Likes: 1
Hall of Fame Lunker
|
Hall of Fame Lunker
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 20,043 Likes: 1 |
What about a windmill that kicks over to electric when there isn't enough wind? Seems one company out there offers that.
If pigs could fly bacon would be harder to come by and there would be a lot of damaged trees.
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 9
|
OP
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 9 |
Thanks for the input everyone! Although I really like the idea of the windmill I would like to get it right the first time. I am getting quotes for an electric pump system now.
Tom
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 35
Fingerling
|
Fingerling
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 35 |
Tom,
I agree with everyone else in here. In the hot summer months there are days with no wind and that is the most crucial time to aerate. However, windmill is the best option for remote locations with no means of electricity.
I made a few recommendations for you, check your PM.
thanks,
Daniel
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 20,043 Likes: 1
Hall of Fame Lunker
|
Hall of Fame Lunker
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 20,043 Likes: 1 |
So... a compressor that runs on wind when there is wind but kicks over to electric when there isn't is not an option?
At some point I plan on building my own that run on wind and solar but kick over to electric when neither is an option. I only run mine at night so I don't need as much power as one that runs 24/7.
Last edited by Cecil Baird1; 05/17/13 11:31 PM.
If pigs could fly bacon would be harder to come by and there would be a lot of damaged trees.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 6,692
Hall of Fame 2015 Lunker
|
Hall of Fame 2015 Lunker
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 6,692 |
I would think that the best use for a windmill would be to generate electricity into a storage system, then utilize an electric pump. Cost would be a bit more tho. There is a company a few blocks away that builds small windmills. I am seeing these pop up around here. One of these days, I'll stop in and get some info. I sold a couple new 1hp 90VDC motors to a guy not too far from here. (ebay) He said he builds windmills, and these were the motors he uses. He got a really good deal as those were eeeeeekspensive motors. I should have kept them (they were replacement motors for my Burgmaster CNC, which I scrapped)
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 6,692
Hall of Fame 2015 Lunker
|
Hall of Fame 2015 Lunker
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 6,692 |
So... a compressor that runs on wind when there is wind but kicks over to electric when there isn't is not an option? Is this windmill mechanically coupled to the compressor?
|
|
|
Moderated by Bill Cody, Bruce Condello, catmandoo, Chris Steelman, Dave Davidson1, esshup, ewest, FireIsHot, Omaha, Sunil, teehjaeh57
|
|