Pond Boss Forums AERATION Should I aerate? gast 0522

Hi,All
I just bought a Gast 0522 from surpluscenter.com. To aerate my 1/4 acre natural pond. Currently lined with composting leaves and assorted stinky sludge and overgrown with duckweed and cat tails. I plan on running the gast pump to a couple of diaphragm diffusers, any input on setting up the connection (i.e. tubing, air filters, relief valves ect.) would be greatly appreciated.
I'd also appreciate any advise on controlling the cat tails and duckweed. I tried a dose of Klear Shore (Rodeo) no effect. I'm planning another round at a higher consentration.
Also considering pumping the water level down a couple of feet to expose the cat tail area. Then clearing the cat tails out by the roots with a Bob Cat(any excuse to run a Bob Cat) But I'm worried I might destroy my turtle,frog and musk rat population.
Thanks

IMHO the first thing you need to do is read up or seek professional help on both aeration and pond weed management. These two issues, along with ponds that leak are the biggest issues in our hobby. I still maintain more fish are killed by poor weed management and especially poorly designed and operated aeration than anything else.

Bing

Bing, You aren't the first nor, I suspect, will you be the last to advise me to seek professional help.
Reading up on the subject is what brought me to this forum and saved me $300 on the pump.

The bottom of the pond has gone anaerobic as indicated by black sludge and catch basin stink so the need for aeration is obvious.

Cat tails have been alowed to grow unchecked for years and are filling in the pond. Duckweed has completely blanketed what hasn't been taken by cats so weed removal is also obvious.

Once the duckweed is cleared the aeration will be even more critical to help knock down the inevitable algae bloom that will exploit the rotting vegetation and sun light.

Leakage is not a concern as the pond is natural.

I was concerned improperly executed weed eradication and water aeration could lead to more problems. That concern prompted my original post, which I would still appreciate any input.

Thanks

Hi Mr. Fixer and welcome to Pond Boss. You mentioned that your pond is 1/4 acre, in order to assist you with the aeration system the experts will probably need to know:

1. Shape of the pond. This will make a difference as to how many diffusers you may need to purchase and the location in the pond that they need to be placed.

2. Depth of the pond. This will influence what type of diffusers should be purchased.

If you don't get the information that you are seeking about aeration in this thread then by all means contact one of our forum supporters directly.

From what I've read (and you probably have as well) Rodeo (and it's equalivents) is supposed work well on Cattails. Perhaps the dosage was not right. I also read that a surfactant should be mixed in with the Rodeo. I'm no expert so hopefully one will come along and talk at you.

Bump for expert opinions.

Hi Mr Fixer,welcome aboard.The areation experts ussually chime in early,as they have to work and do their thing during the day.Hang in there,give us a few more specifics,and they'll be along.I personally dont give professional advice,I recieve it.And be careful on the bobcat,they dont float.I know.They do roll end over end quite well on hills though.Are you aware of "the pucker effect"?

See the attach link. This is what happened to me when i did not take the time to wait on the experts...

http://www.pondboss.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=124330#Post124330