Pond Boss Forums AERATION Should I aerate? Aeration for small pond?

We are the new owners of a piece of property that holds a small (50x 130 or so, by my measurements) pond. We were told the pond was dug 10 or so years ago, and it was 8' deep at that time. Clay lined. Stocked with blue catfish, sun bellies and mosquito fish. We were advised that several years after it was dug, it turned over. Right now it is typical TX chocolate brown - water samples will clear with relatively small doses of gypsum, so we may do that in the near future.

The previous owner ran an extension cord from his house to a sump pump in the water (to aerate) as well as filling occassionally from his water well. Neither of those is a viable permanent option now, as the property on which the house and well sit was sold to another family. We own adjoining land, but the pond sits a long way from any available electricity on our property. (500+ feet, at least.)

With a pond this small, what sort of aeration should we be considering? Is a fountain - the way the sump pump was used - effective? Should I try to run electricity out there? We would prefer not to, if we can avoid it. Windmills seem to be out of favor, and since this is a semi-wooded, long overgrown pasture, I am not sure how much wind a windmill would catch. I've read here that air lines can be run quite a distance, but just how far is that? If that is an option, how do I figure out the size of compressor I will need? Is there some sort of formula (distance / diameter / amount of air) that I can refer to?

Thanks for any and all help,

Linda

Linda, pumping air 500-1000ft is not a problem. If you do not want to run electric to the pond this may be your best bet. Look at an Vertex Air 1 at www.aquaticaeration.com for a system that will easily do this task.If it is feasible at some point you may want to consider making this pond larger as the small ones can be the tough ones to manage at times.Good luck Ted

Do you have an idea what an average monthly electricity cost would be for the Vertex Air 1 if run constantly?

If your KW charge is in the .08 cents range which seems to be a good average figure around .68 cents per day, I usually figure that $20.00 per month operates a Vertex Air 1, Ted

Ted,

Shouldn't they be able to get by with something smaller than that with less cost per month? I pay about $25.00 a month in electricity for a 1/3 hp compressor and the would be more than enough for their size pond. I would think they could get by with only about 1 CFM and less than $10.00 per month in electricity.

I didn't give much information with my earlier question, but the pond I'm considering this for is approx. 2 acres with an average depth of 10' and maximum depth of 19'. I'm not sure an aerator would need to be run constantly, but I was curious as to how much one should budget for. It is a new pond with a stand-up overflow pipe that has a collar that extends down to a few feet off the bottom in order to take overflow water off the bottom as opposed to the surface. Question: Is aeration still needed if water is taken off the bottom to increase DO? I'll be liming/fertilizing and using a feeder as well, and it's located south of Charlotte on the NC/SC line.

Hi Cecil, In Lindas case with the run of inground hose 500 plus ft I would like to have 1 CFM in the water thus advising a pump in the 1.6 CFM range.Most pumps that provide 1 CFM or less will struggle to get air to the diffuser and provide for any pump life. Also with the original depth at only 8 ft it will be necessary to turn the water several times per day to start to get the bottom cleaned up. At some point in time it would be feasible to run from 9pm to 9am if wanting to operate in that $10.00 per month range without causing problems.The Brookwood piston pump in the Vertex Air 1 would easily do this, The GAST 1.5 CFM pump (diaphram) would be pressed to do this and give any longevity.g-8-outdoors if your going to lime fertilize and feed all the more reason to aerate "properly"Taking water off the bottom will remove some of the low DO water in that area but you will still be low on DO and thermally stratified.You have to consider how will I get the warm oxygenated water on the surface to the bottm,answer > push the cooler low DO water to the surface.Look at an Vertex Air 2 and depending on the shape and average depth perhaps an Air 3.An Air 1-2-3 all have a 1/3 HP Brookwood piston pumps, I can also have units built with Gast rotary vanes if desired. If you would like a system sized fill out the online form and send me a sketch and I will do this for you.Ted

Linda, I use a Gast diaphragm compressor, .9cfm, 1/8 hp. 300 feet of 1/2" poly run to the pond. Diffusor at 13 feet deep. My pond is small also, 180ft x 50ft. I run for 12 hours nightly till freeze up. It's been two years, trouble free, except for frozen airlines when I tried to run through last winter. This unit will handle higher psi than vane style.
It worked for me.

Hi Wood, Im curious as to what your turnover rate is per 12 hours and what DO level are you able to maintain at any given temp. Ted

Ted, I do not measure turnover rates or d.o.
I measure water temps and have noted that this year with my aerator setup, my pond remained de-stratified all summer vs last year without aeration. I raise trout and find them at all depths including bottom. So I can tell you I have both adequate d.o. and turnover, but I don't measure how much.

Ted,

Very good points and I was not trying to confront you obvious superior knowledge of aeration. I completely spaced out regarding the distance of the airline which I'm sure had a bearing on air pressure required.

Cecil, you got a chuckle out of me on your post as Ive never been accused of having any knowledge,let alone superior.(trust me it isnt)I appreciate your posts as Im sure someone else may have the same thoughts but not post them.If I responded as though being confronted it was not meant that way. Always part of the problem with the "printed "text. As a side note had our first frost of the season today, I suppose the ice cant be far behind, Take care Ted

Ted,

Nope didn't think you confronted me either but just wanted to make sure I didn't offend.

Yep, we had our first frost this morning too. Need to finally get the boat registerd get a fishing license and get out on a local lake. Most of the idiots have gone home and this is the best time of year to get the biggest bluegills and quantity too. I need to come up with some future broodstock and replenish the gene pool in the bass pond.