I've read that pond aeration should begin in several steps when using an aeration system for the first time. For instance, areate for 30 minutes the first day, 1 hour the second, two hours the third, etc. I'm okay with doing this, and am in the process of doing it, but was just curious as to why I shouldn't just turn the aerator on and let it run constantly.

Another question: I have just restocked my pond. So I have nothing but tiny fingerlings in it. Does this matter, or should I still follow the time schedule?

I appreciate any and all comments.

The usual reason for starting aeration slowly is that your pond may be anaerobic at the bottom. The decay and other microbial products produced in an anaerobic environment can be quite toxic (like in a septic tank). Aeration brings this stuff up into the aerobic layer where your fish live, so you want to bring it up a little at a time while you are simultaneously making the lower environment more aerobic. The deeper your pond, the more dead organic material at the bottom, and the warmer the water, the more likely the bottom will be anaerobic and toxic.

Thanks for the explanation Calpond. That makes a lot of sense. Welcome to the forum also.

Just to ad to the subject; If the pond is in the turnover period (temperature same from top to bottom), the need to do it gradually is not necessary as the entire water column will have the same chemistry. That's when the wind is capable of cycling the water from top to bottom. As soon as a layer warms up on top, things go back to normal again.

As I see you are in Louisiana and I doubt you ever have ice where you are... so a slow starting is most recommended.

It has be extremely windy here the last few days, but I guess I'll just continue the intermitant aeration for now to be on the safe side. I don't mind doing it, but its a little inconvenient since I have to drive 30 minutes to get to the pond.

You're right. It was sometime around 1985 the last time I remember ponds really freezing over down here. It was pretty cool , but it killed thousands and thousands of fish along the coast.

Thanks for the reply.

LB, with only fingerlings you shouldn't neeed aeration yet, but won't hurt. Feeding, hot water, lots of biomass, recipe for aeration. Can you put a lamp timer on the pump? With a new pond, dont worry about starting it up slowly. That is with old, mature ponds with sludge on the bottom and lots of larger fish. Just goferit. I aerated 24/7 in summer the last 2 yrs., but with low rain fall, I will probably cut down and aerate in night time. Too much evaporation.

Bergermeister
what kind of areation are you running and how much do you think it will help to turn it off during the day this summer? Im just west of Corsicana and the darn rain keeps going east or west of us.I am concerned about evap too.
Thanks Tom G

Burgermeister,

Like you, I was going to suggest a timer however, I would use a timer rated for an air conditioner be substituted in place of a lamp timer. More beef. Cody offered this recommendation in a post awhile back.

That's good news. I was planning on going to Walmart this afternoon to see if I could find some type of timer that would work. If not there, then I'll make a trip to Home Depot. If I can find a timer I'll aerate intermitanly for now, only because of the evaporation factor. When the conditions mandate it, I go 24/7.