Pond Boss Forums AERATION Should I aerate? Diffuser or circulator?

No replies in Questions and Observations so I will try here and rephrase the question.

Which is best for a relatively shallow 2 acre pond in south AL. 6.5 to 7 feet at deepest section with a large shallow area of 2.5 to 3 feet. Electricity at pond. Fed with deep well and 5hp pump plus approx 20 acres watershed. The main purpose would be to prevent muck buildup and DO problems. Plan to stock with bream, CC, and bass. I know it should be deeper but I have to live with it as it is. I plan to feed and fertilize.

The diffuser seems cheaper to buy and operate but I don't know if it will work in my situation. I would greatly appreciate some advice.

Birddogger, it sounds like you are a candidate for horizontal aeration using the well water, or possibly spraying it into the air to oxygenate it. I would also use a diffuser in the deepest part. Between the 2 systems you sould be in good shape. The experts will chime it. Look up horizontal aeration. Maybe Mr. Condello will post.

I now have my four stocked ponds all on horizontal aeration. I haven't lost a fish to oxygen problems all year. My biggest pond, however is less than 1.5 acres. I've elimited all airlift aeration. You'd either need a Kasco circulator (3/4 hp) or LOTS of well water--maybe 50 gpm to pull it off.

Keep in mind, I'm not saying typical diffusers are bad in any way. Quite the contrary, I think they're great. It just so happens that I'm delivering water to the ponds anyway in this drought, so I might as well use the energy stored in the pressure tank to create circulation and aeration.

I'll find the link.

Here's the "Lazy River" thread.

http://www.pondboss.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=11;t=000125;p=1#000000

Sorry for the late reply.

Horizontal aeration

http://www.pondboss.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=11;t=000125;p=1

Shallow Southern pond

http://www.pondboss.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=12;t=000060

Thanks for the replies guys. Lots of questions but I can only think of a few at the moment.

Bruce:
Kasco seems to recommend a 2hp circulator (8400cf I believe) for two acres. Do you think a 3/4 can do the job? That would be great if it could.

I don't have a tank on my well setup...It's 465ft deep, free flowing at 15-18gpm with over 65gpm with the 5hp submersible pump...I was under the impression that using a tank would burn the pump out with all of the stopping and starting.

My 3/4 hp Kasco creates a band of circulation through the entire diameter of my big pond. If I'm guessing correctly my pond is currently about 1.35 acres.

Isn't there a 1 hp option? If so that might do the trick.

It may depend on the quality of the pump and the associated electrical components, swithces, etc. as to whether you would burn it out with starting and stopping. I'm still problem free at almost eight years, but I'm sure I just jinxed myself.

What is the temp of the well water coming out of the well and going into the pond and of the pond with no aeration? Probably not a problem (because of the vol) but you need to be sure that with a plankton rich pond and cold well water you don't kill all the plankton with cold water placed in the top few inches and thus cause a DO problem and possible food one as well.

ewest
I don't have exact readings at the moment but late afternoon surface temps are low to mid 90's on a sunny day. Well temps are mid 60's. I will get exact readings in a few days.

Bruce:
Are you running your system 24/7 or just when the DO levels require?