Is anyone using a solar aerator in their pond? I just bought a place with a 1.5 acre pond and my wife prefers something with solar power over running electricity 200 feet to the pond. From what I have read they are a little pricier. Are there any other disadvantages? I'm new to pond ownership and new to the forum, so I appreciate all the help I can get.

Highflyer has been experimenting with it and I think it's working pretty good for him. I'm sure he be along shortly and chime in.

You can push air a lot farther than 200' without any problems. Air is a lot cheaper to run than electric wires.

I agree, do a search for some of Brians posts on his solar set-up.

I can tell you from a limited experience and my continuing experimentation(5 seasons to be exact) and IMHO solar aeration has a place. At least in my neck of the woods with smaller bodies of water. Again IMHO, in the south, and a 1.5 acre body of water, solar aeration can be done its just at what cost. If it were me, I'd check out the Vertex 110V systems and as ESSHUP suggested push the air. It will be at least 5-8X less expensive than any type of properly sized solar system.

If you really want a solar powered system it can be done and done without the hassle and cost of batteries. Although I doubt you find those systems commercially available just yet

The key is "just yet".

Yes sir....If I listen real carefully, I think I can hear Emma5 bubbling, under complete cloud cover, and no batteries.

I think you meant to say "not available to the general consumer"

I'm looking at a PEC solar powered aerator (solaraerator.com. ). It's around $2,800 and looks like it will do a good job.

Glad I saw this thread, I have been working on Solar powered stuff out at our pond including aeration and for me, it works and it works well. the cost of running wires was too high. My solar power can be repurposed and moved anytime I want which is a real bonus.

To Scotts point, running air is cheeper if you want bottom diffusion, but if you want surface aeration, you need electricity either AC or DC and I am doing both.

I'll be glad to repost the pictures if needed. Also I am working on my TP&L project and hope to have it up and running very soon.

So in short, Solar is a viable option for me.

Highflyer,
I ordered my solar aeration system today and will be delivered in a couple weeks. It comes with the bottom diffusion system and is supposed to be easy to put together (less than two man hours). I'm in east Texas between Athens and Palestine. I'd be interested to see pictures of your system when you get it all together. I appreciate your response.
Best regards,
Lynn

Lynn,
Congrats!!

Take pictures as you go!!

Remember Bottom diffused aeration is used to de-stratify water and to off gas stagnate water by lifting it to the surface. It is not primarily used for oxygenation.

Also, there is a startup process that must be used or you will have problems!!

Brian, you still don't have any specs posted. At least none that I have found.

What makes this so great?

off-grid aeration.

That's obvious. Just wondering if there was some top secret stuff here

I'm a lucky guy to have Brian as a good friend that picks me up on his way to his farm and gets me out of the house.
I have had the opportunity to follow his solar projects and impressed when he irrigated his dam with a solar system to get grass growing in a hurry.

When he began his solar aeration experiments I thought he was "pushing the envelope", spending too much time on "gadgets" and not "enough" time on fish, but he proved me wrong!

I strongly believe in surface aeration for small ponds with our Texas hot summers and drought, and now with his brood/grow-out ponds with and best brood stock in the country - his plan has come together.
Good job buddy!
George

So THAT's why Al is in the doghouse!!

Nope, NO doghouse for my buddy AL even if he went AWOL and moved to the country - but that works pretty good tho being about 30 minutes away from son Jeff's place!
He was only 10 minutes away before he moved and handy as two pockets on a shirt!
Did I ever tell you how I met Al?
He showed up on my front porch wanting a fly casting lesson - Man was he ever a fast learner - he's GOOD!
G/

Yeah, I'm a lucky guy!

JKB,
Nothing secret, I have used both AC and DC aerators. The DC was a 12 volt Kasco model which worked very well. The AC was also Kasco, and it also worked very well, but I am looking for smaller aerators for the Topias. I don't care if they are AC or DC because I have both available at the Topias. That is one of the good things about Solar, you have both AC and DC power available!!

I have posted pictures in the past of the solar sprinklers and the solar powered aeration, but I would be glad to post again if needed.

I should have the updated system soon. Life happens and I have not had the time to finish the current install, so I will have to go with a temporary install for now. This fall, I should have the time to do the permanent install.


Oh, and both AL and George are great friends!! Even when Al is in the doghouse.....

Scott, who cares if I'm in the doghouse with George. I know who the real boss is, and she'll be getting vegetables out of the garden, some very nice WE filets, and fajita meat from the the best and most dangerous La Michoacana in South Dallas Tuesday.

I'm gold!

I would love to compare notes with you guys! I bet we could learn a lot off of each others already spent nickels or, in the case of solar power designs, each others 100's

I hope to try some of this stuff out once the price drops and this becomes easier to get and work on.

Received my solar aeration system yesterday. Going to our place this weekend to get it set up. Will take pictures and update you all on the progress. Thanks for the assistance.

You must be excited. Nothing like a new pond "toy". I can't wait to see the pic's and read the report.

I am getting closer to starting mine!!! The control box is nearly done, I hope to finish soon. I'll be able to make 30 or 40 amps of solar power and the inverter is able to make 1000 watts of AC power which can run the aerator and more. I am looking at a pump to control Brood pond levels.


The list grows......

Is that welded diamond plate for a box? Are you sure that will hold up highflyer?

That system your building is bad a*s my friend!

JB Weld..........

It has only taken me two months to finally get my system set up (life got in the way) - and now proud to say it is up and running - going through the start-up procedures. It is working well. I will post pictures next week when I take more when I am at my property. I appreciate the advice and encouragement.

IMD,
Congrats!!

Now we want pictures, so get out to that farm!!!



MN, sorry I missed your post. Yes I used Diamond plate AL for the box. I wanted to see if I could weld AL and after a few tips, I can!!

My learning curve continues. I am going 24 volts this month on project two (double the power available). I expect that in the future, I will only have the one 12 volt system and everything else will be 24 or 48 volts for the efficiencies and higher available power. After I get system two up and running, I'll post more. I still love my charge controller. I am upgrading the batteries to 6 volt battery packs (24 volt systems). I am also going to add a tracking system for more power. Balance is the key, I just wish I could find that key.