My pond is 12 years old and weeds algae and grass totally took over. I have a well to add water and now I need to aeriate it. My pond is 70’ wide , 130’ long and 11’ deep. I plan on making a diffuser system and any help at all would be great. My budget is 650-550 any cheaper would be great.

FYI - an aeration system will not control nor likely reduce much the weeds, algae and grass. But it will improve overall water quality and pond health. Plants grow because of accumulated nutrients (enrichment) and muck. Digesting some of the muck could release some more nutrients that were bound in the muck. If the water is clear as in visibility of 3-5ft then light reaching the depths stimulates plant growth on the bottom. For plant control learn what plant species are growing and then manage them appropriately manually (removal), biologically (grass crap & or tilapia), chemically herbicides, algaecides, & dyes, or use a diligent fertilization program to reduce water clarity.

Thanks for the reply Bill. My real reasons for wanting a water diffuser is that I keep getting fish kills. I use to do a very good job at keeping up my pond but after my first fish kill I totally let my pond go.

Does anyone know if a 1/4 hp rocker Piston lump would do me good. Btw my ponds average depth is about 5 foot however my diffuser will be placed in about 11-10’ deep

Welcome to PBF rdgav!

From your dimensions, your pond is approx. 0.2 acres. A 1/4 HP RPP should work well. Do you have any more info on the pump like Make and Model or spec sheet info like cfm, operating pressure, etc? Any thoughts on what type of diffusers(s) you plan to use?

Bill D.

I am looking at the Matala m60 1/4 hp pump. I am also looking at the 9” disc diffusers from granger industries. This pump and diffusers are what I’m lookin at however that’s why I’m writing on this forum because i need some advice from the experts. I prefer a dyi systems to maybe save a few bucks but I also know I may be beter off buying a complete kit for a little more money. Please keep the questions and answers coming

The 1/4 hp rocker Piston pump will work well in your pond, however I prefer the 1/4 hp rotary vane (RV). IMO it is very similar to air flow as the rocking piston but the RV has benefits of quieter, easier to rebuild, and retail price for the RV is a little cheaper when buying separate items. At 10'-12' depth for the diffuser both pumps should operate at around 6psi. I prefer the rocking piston for ponds deeper than 18ft because the rocking piston has significantly more PSI ability.

Thanks bill for the information on rv pumps. Does anyone know of a website where you guys find these cheaper than rp pumps. Does anyone have recommendations on where to buy what I need to get my aeriation supplies from.. the more research i do the more complicated this gets

I planned on using two 9”. Diffusers for my system. Would using 1 15” benefit me in any way?

I dont know what i am doing but after asking questions on here and some google i went with a Gast rotary vain 0523 (supposedly easier to rebuild if needed in the future) with the vertex double diffuser. I opted to buy everything individually rather than a package to save a couple bucks. What I saved in money I may be spending in time!!!! I should have it in a week or so but that is what my research took me.

David

What tubing are you using? I suggest 5/8 weighted.

Thanks for the info drg. I planned on using 3/8 tubing. Bill, why do you suggest using 5/8 tubing?

I went with 3/8 because it came with the system I bought as the default size. This was before I found PBF. I wish I had gone with the 5/8. The larger tubing provides less back pressure to the compressor. That means lower loads on the compressor so higher efficiency (less $$s electricity) and potentially increased pump life.

Thank you bill for this information..

I was really set on a cheap 1/4 hp rocker piston and now I’m looking into the GAST 0523. Do the rotary vein compressors use a lot more electricity that these small rp compressors?

I sorry for all these stupid question.

Generally 1/4hp all use about the same amount of electricity. Some motors are a little more efficient at using electricity than others. When using the rotary vane pumps you want as little back pressure as possible which means often using the 5/8" ID airline but it does not have to be weighted if the budget is "tight". Airline at $0.10-0.30/ft is a big difference than $1.30-1.60/ft. IMO the main thing to avoid is kinking of airline. Whenever it gets kinked it needs repaired. Remember IMO the diffuser should be lifted and cleaned annually for best performance.

I want to thank ya’ll for this input. It looks like as of now I will be going with a Gast 0523 pump with 5/8 weighed lines ( I only need 50 ft.)and two 9” diffusers.

Is there anything else that I need to know or do to get this job done. Now I need to start racking out my pond so I don’t have to spend as much on chemicals. I am really looking forward to start fishing in my pond , again

rdgrav,

I am doing some of the same research as you and am using the Gast 0523 pump as a target. The 0523-101 seems to be their base model, where the 0523-101Q has an intake filter and a outlet muffler. About $200 difference in price. which are you going with? And, I have read that pressure gage/s are a good addition to the system for troubleshooting and general checkups. I have not gotten to that point in my designs yet, but though I'd throw the thought at you.

Hi, I was wondering what the price range that you are finding on the 0523 pumps? Also where to buy them? Ebay? Amazon? I really don't know where to look. Same way for the diffusers and the weighted airline. A while back I posted and asked if any body on here sold them but I must have not dine it right because I never got a reply Any info would be appreciated. I am trying to buy individual pieces.

I got my price point for the 0523 pumps from Grainger.com, but only for a price point. They are typically kinda high. Gast has a distributor locator on there website to see if there is anyone close to you. Motion Industries is a local distributor for me, but they are not on the list.

I'm looking at pondlyfe/vertex for the complete pump system, line & fusers at hoosierpondpros.

I bought my gast 0523 for $415 with free shipping from gopro.pro. I bought black 1/2” poly tubing from drip depot, and the vertex double diffuser and weighted 5/8 tube from organic pond. I may have been able to shop a bit more and save a little money, but I got to the point where I just wanted it bought.

the Cheapest price on the internet is GoPro at 415 for the Gast 0523. I know a granger sales person that is getting me the pump and the diffusers at there cost. I do have access for valves and fitting and filters... I’m really not sure about the airlines yet. I may just spend the money on weighted airlines because good non weighted airlines are not cheap either. The last thing I want to do is repair airlines. I will post once I get everything what I ended up with

DRG, which number did tou get. They show 3 of the 0523 for 415.

I bought the gast 0523-101q-g588 NDX.

David

That pump 0523-101Q- is a workhorse and very durable. Rebuild is easy and simple.

DRG. What type of fitting or adapter did you use to connect the air line to the pump

I am still working on that!!! My diffuser and weighted 1/2 " tube order should be here today.... I need to run to lowes and see what I can come up with. If you find anything good on line let me know. I have looked at a dual valve manifold, a pressure gauge for some add on stuff.

I have a 400' run from my well house to the ponds edge so I am am using 1/2 " poly tubing buried for that, then I will need a coupler/fitting to connect the .5" poly and the .5" weighted tube. I believe the vertex double diffuser i bought comes with the fitting to connect the weighted hose to the diffuser.

I have no idea what I am doing. I am trying to work it as I go.

David

From the pump to the poly line you will need a 1/4” male npt x 1/2” barbed fittingand for the 1/2” hose to 5/8 hose you will need a 5/8 x 1/2” barbed coupler

Goggle these things and it should put you in the right direction

The pump outlet assembly should have a low pressure gauge and for pump insurance,,, a pressure relief valve (I prefer an adjustable type that I usually set at 15psi). PRV protects the pump; the most expensive part of the whole system. Air gauge allows you to trouble shoot air flow problems and the PRV is insurance for the pump when there is an air blockage; extra important in freezing temps. When trouble occurs in the aeration system, the 1st question I ask is what is the reading on the air gauge. For rotary vanes, they do not tolerate psi over 30psi and then the vanes snap.

FYI a 3/8" threaded nipple can serve as a 5/8" hose barb because the OD of a 3/8" nipple is 5/8".