Pond Boss Forums AERATION Systems questions Comment or Advice for a 50 year old pond

I am new here but have been learning a lot about pond management issues. My situation is this: Pond is 2 to 3 acres built in mid to late 50's. Originally 18 feet at dam, now 12 feet. Supposed to have some springs going into it. Lots of BG and LMB very good sizes. In the last 5 years lilly pads and duck weed have taken over. I have decided to clean it up for the future and not let it get any worse. I am cutting back the timber around edge to keep leaves out. It is very overgrown up to waters edge. It looks like aeration is the most cost effective long term investment to start with. The Pond is about 700 feet long and in a rectangular shape. The quotes from online companies are quite high for a system. And the choices are almost overwhelming. Piston,rotary vane and diagphram pumps, and the best types of diffusers are all choices to be made. Then I didn't realize the startup issues that could result if done to quickly in a mature pond. I would appreciate any comments or advice as I think I need to get going before it gets to warm out. Thanks to all of you.

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I had the same situation with an old pond surrounded by large oaks, tons of organic matter algae mats taking over & weeds galore. the system worked wonders! I pieced it together myself & saved a ton. starting the system slow I released all the trapped gasses so the pond smelled like rotten eggs for a month! then no more. I also started to get great water clarity then developed green algae blooms that looked like green jello! I started to use bacteria & the blooms stopped & the black muck started to go away! Beware of super cooling in winter I had this happen & many fished died. All in all pond looks awesome I see more fish, minnows, and mayflies then before & hardly have to use chemicals at all.