This is a small pond about 0.13 acres and about 7’-10’ deep. For most people this seems like a dumb question fountain vs diffusion, because fountains don’t adequately aerate ponds. This makes fountains more of an ascetic feature. For my situation I’m striving for an effective low cost system. The system would be solar powered and here we have many short dark days with lots of snow, which makes me think I might only be able to run the system half the time even if it’s on a battery. If run an compressor to a diffusor at night in the winter and let it charge during the day. Then there’s a good chance with the water in the pipe causing back pressure freezing in the down time. I think a fountain would have the same difficulty as the diffusor of freezing if there wasn’t enough power of 24/7 running. Anyway so what would be a good option for aeration?

If anyone has a northern system that works fill free to post it on here, with pics, schematics, where you purchase the material and what not. I’ve read some threads with successful solar systems in snow, which is promising.

Hey Esox,

FWIW my diffusers have check valves which prevent water from back filling the air lines with water when the pump is shutdown.

I wouldn't try running a fountain in the winter at all!

Bill D.

Ok so do you still get backpressure with the check valve on the diffusor? Is your check valve is right after your diffusor, are they pvc check valves?

My check valves are located between the outlet of the airline and the inlet to the diffuser. I have never taken one apart but they are in cylindrical PVC housings that screw into the diffusers.