Hi folks, I love this forum. There is a ton of good info here.

I have researched a bit to figure out my needs and I have purchased a used 1/4 hp Gast rotary vane pump. Have not hooked it up yet but for $50 it is worth a shot.
I have also compared running electric to the pond (approximately $500 for 250' of 6 gauge wire) vs a large poly pipe (approximately $130 for 250' of 1.5" poly). It looks like running the poly pipe may be a better value and I can keep the pump up near my house. Here is the diffuser that I bought http://pentairaes.com/flexairr-9-disc-diffuser.html

Anyway, is there any problem running air through that large of a pipe?

I was worried about pressure loss in poly pipe.