Pond Boss Forums AERATION Systems questions Areation questions

Curious - what pump are you planning to use to fill the LP tanks with compressed air?

Winter freeze - Okay. Most, but not all membrane diffusers, have built-in check valves. When your membrane check valves are working properly and not coated with bacterial slime they will keep water out of the airline. This is where a low pressure gauge becomes very IMPORTANT. When the pump starts the air gauge should climb to operating pressure or 1 psi higher and then quickly drop back to normal run psi. IF the gauge climbs to 3+psi for any period of time or the pressure relief valve pops-off before dropping back to regular run PSI, this means the system is pumping water out of the airline; check valves are leaking and need 'attention". If you run the aerator 24/7 then there is less chance of a frozen water plug in the airline. HOWEVER - this can happen. Humid air heated by the compressor will cool and condense water into the airline. This water can collect in low spots of the airline until it is deep enough to freeze an airline plug.

If there is a frozen airline water plug you can pour about 1 cup of isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol into the airline. Wait 20-30 minutes and try running the pump while watching the air gauge.

HOWEVER - in ponds that get ice cover, it is wise to clean and dry out the diffusers every fall so they are at optimum going into winter. The other option is to install a second check valve between the airline and diffuser base.