whats the best aeration system/ bang for the buck for this pond?

I have another post in which I wanted to use a 3/4 irrigation pump. I am learning that the power bill be too high so I need a system. I would love a windmill but not sure it will give me enough push. So whats a nice system for the money?

OK, I need some advise. A little background first to help. I built this pond that I have on 175 acres approx 9 years ago. I did not live in the area when I had it built I lived 500 miles away in Nevada. It was build my a pond developer who does numerous ponds in this area.

That said I understand that I need to get rid of the willows on the damn now that I have moved here and done some studying and as money allows I will do so by buying a chains saw and getting rid of them.

I rent my upper pasture to a rancher who has cows on it for approx 2-3 weeks a year. They get the very tip of the pond for water. I need the funds for the rent, plus it allows me tax benefits as it shows some income or I would keep the cows off. Besides I HAVE to have the cows to help maintain the intermediate wheat grass.

So, this year I am getting some new algae on my pond a secondary type and my grass is spreading in the shallow ends.

I simply can not afford an expensive aeration system at this time as I am trying to sell a rental home and another piece of property to try and afford to build a home here as we are living in a 5th wheel and small structure attached to my shop. I live on pension which does not go very far.

So I am trying to attempt to do some of aeration on the cheap. Not knowing a thing about it I am reading a lot. Aeration seems to be the first option.

I have a few catfish in this pond, (unknown how many/ could be a hand full) as U put some babies in here, maybe 5-6 fish, years ago. Yesterday I was given permission to catch some small mouth bass from a private pond and put three small 8-12 inch bass in here. I have tons of frogs and some other small bottom fish that I found in a minnow trap on here in an attempt to see if I had any baby catfish, as thats how I caught the originals that I put in here.

Pond is approx 12 feet deep at the deepest and goes down to maybe 9-10 in the late summer.

Search for RC51's DIY system.

I only found this one and most of its links/ pics are no good?

http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=415113&Searchpage=1&Main=19173&Words=RC51%27s+DIY+defuser+aerator&Search=true#Post415113

Are you wanting the aeration because of the vegetation issues you're seeing? I'm not sure that aeration will help in this regard?

Rumblon I can PM you some stuff.

RC

Everyone reading this please note. This system as it's been labeled "RC51 Air Station" was the first system I put in. It worked great for me for 4 years. Others have used it as well with success. But each scenario is different. In 7 to 8 feet of water I ran mine for 8 to 10 hours a day mainly at night. No problems. At the time is was flat out all I could afford. I have sense upgraded to a GAST 0523 1/3 hp pump. Everything else on my system is the same except for the pump. I was able to get a GAST at a decent price and I knew it was a stronger and better pump I had the chance so I took it. There were some consistency issues with the Eco7 pump. Mine and a few others ran great and then some pond boss members tested one and they couldn't get it to do anything past 4 to 5 feet or so. Mr. Ted Lea (RIP) sent me the pump to test and he was right it did not work in my pond either past 4 ish feet, but my other one worked great at 8 feet. So I guess what I am trying to say is you know the quote. "You get what you pay for" sometimes cheep works like mine did sometimes it fails like Teds did. Just FYI for those who read this. I get about 2 PM's a week on this system and am glad to give out info on it but don't want anyone having any false hopes it might work for you great like mine did and others did, but you could end up with a pump like Ted Lea had. Just FYI.

RC

I just sent you a PM

RC51. I am new to this but I also don't want a problem system. If I just spent the money and DO IT CORRECTLY- What would a good system involve? Whats a brand that will work in my 10-12 ft pond? I used to build hot rods, so I understand expensive and guess I am better off just doing it right the first time.

DAVE

Yes and no. I want to get rid of some of the algae but the grass is a whole other issue. The pond fills from the side where the silt is slowly filling and making it more shallow. So I may just need to dig some of that grass out. It needs to be aerated either way.

suggestions other than herbicide.

For underwater weeds, if you aren't going to use chemicals the only three other options are mechanical removal, stop the sunlight from reaching the pond bottom or triploid grass carp if the weeds are of the type that they will eat.

Hey Rumblon I don't want to scare you or anyone else but like you said parts are parts. If you were gonna go with something else I love my GAST 0523 1/3 hp pump. I also think the Thomas 2600 series is good. Both should work in 12 foot.

RC

Thanks for the info. I live in an area where there is basically zero pond supply or sales. When I search that pump the gast) on line, I get everything from 1299.00 pumps to $150.00 pumps. Do you recommend a supplier for your aeration needs.

Thx Dave

Hey RC- these guys dont say what mod pumps but they sell this kit with a Thomas in 115 volt or a gast in 220. I am no electrician but I thought 220 would draw/ use more electricity. I have 220 close by by my elect panel has limited circuts so the 115 would be best for me. I can ask these guys which Thomas and Gast pumps are in their kits.

This price is not out of my range if it will do the trick. I am looking at other kits as well.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Thomas-1-3-HP-Ai...=item461b3e434b

another

http://www.ebay.com/itm/271327342040?ru=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fsch%2Fi.html%3F_from%3DR40%26_sacat%3D0%26_nkw%3D271327342040%26_rdc%3D1

Rumblon,

I sent you a PM.

Rumbl sending you a pm on something I got for ya. And yes you want to go with 115 volt if you can.

RC

I kinda like this one but need different diffusers. I THINK? I need two diffusers. any suggestions on a brand or link?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/271327342040?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

I am just getting parts for mine put together as well, I just ordered a 2 diffuser set and weighted air tube, I am buying different air line from lowes to bury out to the pond, I will probably buy a thomas 2660 pump off ebay, they have several on there for around $75. All together I might have around 450 in the system. PM me if you want more info, My pond is around 3/4 acre.

which difussers did you go with? I am thinking about just buying the 38.00 9 inch disks and building something for the base myself.

RUMBLON

I bought the vertex XL2, it has its own base, I though about building my own but I figured this was easier since I have more things going on around the house.

There is lots of information in old posts about what pond owners have done for getting parts for aeration systems. See:
Forums » AERATION » Systems questions
http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=postlist&Board=11&page=1

Im looking at a system on ebay with a Thomas pump and have requested pricing minus their ring diffusers.

I want to build a couple of disc diffusers (thanks Bill Cody for the ideas/ pics) So I am looking at just buying four difusser heads, two for each system.

There are numerous places that sell the 9" discs but prices vary and I cant find a CFM rating?

are any of these discs better than the others?

http://shop.hoosierpondpros.com/Vertex-9-Single-Air-Diffuser-VertexDiff9.htm

http://www.aerationstore.com/product/DD03.html

http://www.aerationstore.com/product/DD01.html

http://www.airanchor.com/our-products.html

Anyone familiar with this outfit? Seems like a good deal, but I'm not sure. I think I would need the $1,895 system. It looks like, but I have not confirmed, it includes a complete system.
http://www.organicpond.com/Why-do-I-need-a-Pond-Aeration-System-s/25.htm

It is an advertisement. Please delete this post if I am breaking any of our forum rules. I have no affiliation with them, or interest.

Jeff

ok so while I work on my purchase and build I have a difusser placement question. I have a large island and a small island in the shallow areas that turn into land in the late summer or around mid/ late july. I dont know when this pic was taken but this is the pond at the low time. You can see the large island, the small one is just up from the big one towards the inlet.

That said I see that islands can regulate where the diffusers go. I am planning two diffusers and THINK that I should place my diffusers where I have the yellow X marks as that area is equally deep in the deep side of the pond.

Any suggestion? And at this point I am thinking of building two diffusers each with two 9 inch discs on them. I have not found how many CFM EACH OF THESE DISCS ARE.



Usually the water level is at the yellow line mark for most of the spring winter and fall.

I just seen this is another post if this helps any.


EDI 7"(measurement taken from the membrane diameter) Standard diffuser design flow is 0.5-2.5 SCFM with an overall diameter of 9" or 229mm using an EPDM membrane.

Vertex 9" diffuser ( measurement taken from the overall diameter) design flow is 0.5-2.0 CFM using an EPDM membrane.

For summer aeration put the diffusers in the deepest part of the pond.

For winter aeration place the diffusers at 1/4 the maximum pond depth. For winter, I try to put the diffusers where there will be open water for anything that goes in the water to get out without having to crawl up on the ice. Bill Cody and I co-authored an article about winter aeration in the Jan-Feb 2015 issue of Pond Boss Magazine.

Speaking of that article....When can we expect the sequel!

Sequel aeration article will appear when esshup slows down enough to write the draft copy.

Oh crap.

We are waiting man! Those of us in the tundra states need this info. Quit slacking

I'll write it this week if someone wants to fill in for me.

Don't forget all of us high altitude guys!!

I don't know how the local airport would feel about me testing systems at 10,000 feet!!

OK, so I never bought a system last summer as I had to add on 500 sq ft of living area by myself and that about killed me. No time for this system and I ran out of fall and still have some construction.

That said I now have the time to read and study and the more I do the more info I soak up the more confused I seem to get by different views.

I think I will buy from this guy on ebay and this system has a THOMAS COLORITE pump but he also sells the GAST. If the GAST is that much better, I will step up and buy it but I keep reading that the THOMAS is fine?

Thats said, now I need to know which disc diffusers from this company which seems affordable. I would like to get a better understanding on how many of the 12 or 9 inch diffusers this system on ebay will push CORRECTLY. And is more better for the pond I have listed in the post.

I dont have any issue spending a little more the GAST. I dont see a point in spending huge money for the VERTEX discs if these will work and I have no issue building my own stands ect.

Im trying to get this done and 100 or so trees this spring summer, then the following spring it will be a new home build right on the edge of the pond!!!!!! cant wait

http://www.aerationstore.com/category/DD.html