Hello,

This is my first post... I have been lurking on this forum for a long time.

I have a oval 1/3 acre 8ft deep with 3/1 slope to the center. This is a new pond that I dug last fall. Lots of clay here in Indiana so the pond is nice and full almost always. At the moment lots of frogs and somehow small fishes are starting to appear. Probably brought in by ducks. The water is murky and surface algae grows partially around the shore.

I would like to put a dock in and eventually make this a pond that I can swim in. I know this will be a ton of work etc..

So first things first.. I would like to setup a Aeration System. I am handy and DIY.

Lots of guys on here use the Gast 0523. Is that still the way to go these days? Is this overkill for my size pond? Can I use a smaller pump to save some cash on electricity?

Thanks guys

Welcome to the forum! You can use a 1/4-1/3 hp diaphragm pump.

Look at the Vertex PondLyfe systems. A PondLyfe system with 2 air stations would be plenty. One for the deepest part of the pond during the summer, and the 2nd one in 3 feet of water for the winter. (shut off the one in 8' of water).

Thanks. So whats a good 1/4-1/3 hp diaphragm pump? The Gast's I see are rotary vane. Are those ok too?

I have the gast and it's fine it's a 1/3hp 0523 and I love it! Not to much noise and not real bad on electric. I run mine 10 to 12 hours a night and it cost me about 11 bucks a months where I live. Of course that will vary some. There is TONS of stuff out here on air setups in the air section. Your basics you will need to a DIY system.

1. A Pump
2. weighted hose is best IMO.
3. 2 9 inch fine bubble diffusers.... Vertex is good.
4. A 2 way gang valve to switch from deeper fuser to shallow fuser in winter.
5. Something to attach your diffusers to, so they are not right on the ground. IE a tire, or a milk crate or some kind larger platform.
6. Various adapters, reducers, clamps and such to connect line.
7. Something to house your pump in.
8. A rope with a float on it so you can pull up your fuser when needed.
9 Your fusers should have built in check valves so your good there but I would make sure they do.
10. And last but not least if you go with a Gast. I would get a relief valves and pressure gauge for it. I'm sure Esshup or maybe Bill Cody could help you in that department.

Hey good luck and keep us posted,
RC

Thanks for the replies guys. Ill share any updates and progress. Trying to score a pump on eBay at this time.

Mach,
When did you have the pond built/completed? can you sample the fish in your pond? Use a minnow net or seine net? It would be great to know what actually made it in your pond by itself. I've never heard of a self-stocking pond in Indiana!

Lots of good folks who can help you put together a DIY aerator. Welcome to the forum!

Overall go with the Gast Rotary 0523 and the newer 0523 version is 1/4Hp old version 1/3hp. New version rotary at 1/4hp operates 5 hr per KW, 4hr/kw for 1/3hp. 3 to 5 hrs per day with a good 2-3 head diffuser is enough to get good compete daily pond circulation for your type of IN pond. My KW cost is $0.12. The 0523 is easier and quicker to rebuild than a linear pump.