I have had an idea for a while. I am going to try using small scale aeration in my brood ponds, and the cool part is they will be direct drive solar aeration systems using a 10 watt solar panel and a small geared DC motor and a plastic squirrel cage fan.

I am wondering which orientation will serve me better?

I have tested both horizontal and vertical orientations. Here are the videos:





The vertical setup moves water through the air better, but the horizontal draw more water up as it moves water away from the turbine. So now which one is better for aeration of a brood pond?

I would guess the vertical as the splashing exposes more water surface to air.

But perhaps using the solar power to run a small air pump and stone at the bottom would be better yet.

I don't know the answer to your question...I like the vertical option, but what if you mounted a pvc pipe beneath the horizontally mounted squirrel cage so that the water that it pulls up would come from the bottom instead of right beneath it?

Edit: Oh, and BTW...How did you get your pond so clear?;) justkidding!

You know my vote.....

Put a 1HP motor on that thing and turn the whole brood pond into Claas 5 rapids!!!!! Haha

Class 5 would be a bit much.

Its only 10 watts and a little DC geared motor. I do like the amount of water it moves. I hope to have it in the water and working in a few days.

BTW I did talk the pond boss and he says horizontal would be better in Texas, so horizontal testing goes first!

You might consider a propeller instead of a squirrel cage. I guess it depends on if you are trying to move water or to splash water. I would think the propeller would move water better for a given amount of power but the squirrel cage would agitate it more.

I'm just thinking they use propellers on boats instead of squirrel cage probably for good reason.

John,

I'll bring them up next month and everyone will be able to see them in action, that is if I have the time to finish this project in time....

About props, I thought about them, but I want to move water not splash it. After all, I have $6 dollars per motor invested.

Brian, To splash or not to splash, that is the question. I see a miniature DO meter in your future to go with your miniature squirrel cages. Keep us posted on your findings. For me, I would like to find solar powered, battery storage surface air without it costing an arm and a leg. Oh! and one that would cover at least a half acre. So, please keep working on your system.

Tracy,
You know me better than that. I have a DO meter, and I know how to use it!

About solar powered aeration, you need to stop by and see what I am working on now...

And if you want to aerate a half acre, we can talk.

Just one more reason to attend. Come see Brian's small acale solar aeration. PB Forum meet and greet informal get together in SE Kansas

Those might be just the ticket for our small ponds like my forage pond and your Topias Brian.

Brian, I do need to come by. Looks like you need a third hand to hold the DO meter when testing your small scale aerators. I knew you have a do meter, in fact a better one than I do. I had to order a new probe, it took about 6 weeks to get it. Delivered last week by Fed X, in a small box that for some reason my Golden Retriever pup decided to taste or make a game out of chewing the whole box and probe up. I now have to order another one and will most likely have to wait another 6 weeks for delivery plus another 100 for the new one.

Snrub, been giving it some serious thought to come up anyway.

why not use a bilge pump and make a venturi. It will put out more oxygen.

Hey Tracy I make it down to Brians and I'm pretty sure it is a shorter drive coming north than going south. Come on up.

John K,

The setup is 10 watts max. I am using more like 8 watts. I have moved on to version three and it looks like the winner. It will lift water quite nicely. I was impressed as to how much water it moves even shaded. Now that I have version three, it is time to test in a brood pond and see how much water it moved daily.

And yes version 3 will make it to John's party!

Tracy,
You are welcome anytime. There are always projects in the works!

Here is a video of Ver2 testing. P factor is the only problem I need to solve and I think it will be through tethering (KISS).