Pond Boss Forums AERATION Systems questions Ideas wanted.

I have a pond just over a half acre and I have plans to aerate it. I picked up a submersible pump to do this but need some ideas. I acquired the pump when I worked at Lowe’s. We had a display of a basement toilet system and the distributer replaced it and when I realized the old display was complete, I got the pump & fittings. It is a ½ HP with a 2” pipe threaded outlet. It is rated at 83 GPM. My original idea was to build a small raft out of 8” PVC drain pipe and float the pump with a homemade nozzle out about 15’ in the pond. I also considered placing the pump in a 35 gallon plastic barrel close to shore (deep enough to cover it) and then piping the water to the same type nozzle. I can water proof the electrical connection so that is not a problem, but would like to tap the minds of those who have done something like this before.

Clint in Far West Kentucky

Clint, what you are describing is more like a fountain than an aeration system. The aeration systems have air diffusers that are placed on the pond bottom. The bubbles rise, bringing up the anerobic water, mixing it with the aerobic surface water, and exposing it to the air, which also adds O2 to it. You could accomplish some of the same thing with the pump if you pulled water from the bottom in the deepest part of the pond. I say some, because the bottom diffusers move a trememdous amount of water in a short amount of time to the surface.

Yes, it is more a fountain than anything else but it will provide some aeration, will it not? I was looking for suggestions on how to best use what I have.

yes, it will. It would be better if you could suck up water from near the bottom of the pond rather than the top.

I can do that - I can sink the 30 Gal barrel with the pump in the bottom and pipe the output to the surface for the fountain. That is the kind of advice for which I was looking. Thanks,

Clint in Far West Kentucky