Pond Boss
I have all the components of a clearstream aerobic sewer system less the tanks. It has a 1/4 hp motor and is designed to run 24 hrs a day. Can this system be used to aeriate my 1 and 1/2 acre pond?
Probably but give specifics of pump and diffuser. Either pump model or specs. Pump has to provide adequate cfm at adequate pressure for the depth of operation. Diffuser will work best if it creates smallest bubbles.
Flame, find Sue Cruz on here and ask her about diffusers. She is really knowledgable about this stuff. A real pro. PM her.
Tom Sterling
(Shelby County)
Provide some details (psi, cfm) about the compressor other than 1/4HP.
I use linear air pumps that are designed to aerate septic tanks for my recirculating and aquaponics systems. They are good pumps with low watt usage but aren't designed for water deeper than 5 or 6 feet. They also freeze up in the winter if it gets really cold so not an option for winter aeration.
ok I finally got the info on the aerobic pump. It is 1/4 hp 4.8 cfm and 10 psi. Runs continuesly. Hope that helps. I would just have to buy hose and a diffuser I think.
Do you know what style or type of air producing pump it is? The compressor should work for making air to operate up to 6 air stones or for 3 up to maybe 5 9" disk membrane diffusers. I wouldn't set the diffusers any deeper than 17-18ft. Try to use a minimum air line inside diameter of 5/8" to minimize back pressure on the compressor.
Originally Posted By: Flame
ok I finally got the info on the aerobic pump. It is 1/4 hp 4.8 cfm and 10 psi. Runs continuesly. Hope that helps. I would just have to buy hose and a diffuser I think.


That is still kind of sketchy information. I'm no expert on aeration as have only ran my system one season but did quite a bit of reading earlier.

If your pump is 4.8 CFM AT 10 psi that is a whole nuther situation than if the pump is 4.8 cfm at 0 psi and maximum stall or operating pressure is 10 psi. The latter might only have 1 or 2 cfm at 10 psi if it is a linear diaphragm pump. On the other hand if it is a rocking piston or vane type pump the output curve will be pretty flat. In other words it will not loose much flow as pressure increases.

Point is, there is not enough information yet to know what you have to make any recommendations. I probably don't know enough to make a recommendation anyway, but I know enough to know even an expert could not make a recommendation with the information provided.

In this pond situation, as in most every pond situation, the standard PBF disclaimer and explanation applies, "it depends".
I contacted clearstream today and they are to get with me tomorrow on more specs. Thanks
Clearstream appears to have only two types of pumps a linear and a rotaryvane. The linear will be iffy for aerating a deeper pond (12ft+ - 1/2 ac). The rotary vane appears to be a larger hp model 1/2 to 3/4 hp (GAST? Mfg) since it has an external capacitor.
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