Pond Boss Forums AERATION Systems questions what to do

I have just purchased a peice of property and on it there is appox. a 20 acre pond. As for as I know the pond has been around for over 50 years. It is not very deep, but I am going to be dredging some of it to make deeper holes. When I bought it there was an still is a watermeal and duckweed problem. I think aeration will be the ticket to minimizing the problem. what do you all think?
Also because the pond covers such a large area I don't know what type of system to use. All I do know is, I want to most cost effective way to solve my problem. I am thinking of going solar for the energy souce of the aerator, beacuse I am sure my electric bill will be though the roof with the system I will need.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
P.S
I am not afraid to go rumaging around a junk yard to find a cheaper way.
thanks

Welcome, DPL.

Have you spent any time researches previous posts? There have been volumes written about dredging, duckweed, and solar aeration.

Initially learning the search function may be more efficient.

Good luck.

I also recommend getting your aeration system spec'd out by one of the aeration pros. Right-sizing with increased efficiency would make back up front money fairly quickly in electric savings.

DPL, PM sent

DPL,

First off, welcome to PB. In a lake your size, a solar system large enough to aerate and circulate it would out cost a conventional electrical system. In fact you could take the money saved up front on the purchase of an electrical system and put that into a money market fund to make a gain, pull some out each month to pay the electric bill and still make some money.

Secondly, unless you have a large bank of batteries to store that energy produced during the day, the system will drain the solar panels quickly at night when aeration is needed the most.

A system sized for your lake is not as big as you may think and with todays technology in compressor and diffuser membranes they are quite efficient and almost require no maintenance.

Keep us all here advised of what direction you plan to go so others can learn too.

Again, welcome