Pond Boss Forums AERATION Systems questions Air Compressor

I have a small air compressor that i no longer use it is 4.6 CFM it is not large enough to run a power tool like an impact wrench. I was wonder if i could use it for an areation pump.

Is it oil less and made to run continuous?

No it is not oil less it is a piston type pump with oil bath sump. It would be one that is use in DIY shop or for around the house use. I had one like it for about 20 years i used it around the shop and house. I had this one extra and was wondering if i could use it instead of buying another air pump

If it has a tank on it, they normally are not made to run constantly. At constant running the tank would not allow it to catch up for long before pumping back up. Yours may be different. I would also put some kind of exhaust filter on it to catch any oil mist that may slip by the seal. Also if you have 4.6cfm open flow be sure to match your air stations to between 4 and 4.2 cfm if its not putting out less air than that. That should cover tubing length and water depth if you don't have really deep water or very very long runs.

It wouldn't be very efficient would it Ted (that is before it burns out)?

What if you were to keep the tank and just valved the air out to limit the CFM. It would give the pump time to shut off and cool so it would cycle.

I know the surge load would kill the hydro bill. Constant load motors like air conditioning and refrigerators are the worst for anyones hydro bill.

If you did the math a small rocker pump just might be cheaper in the long run to operate.

Cheers Don.

thanks for the input the run will be about 150ft the pond will reach a total depth of around 10ft right now it is 6ft about 3/8 of an acre oblong in shape. I have ever thing but a diffuser and just wanting to get it ready for the fall to stock it is a new pond and the water has a sewer smell to it.

Your natural fall turnover should take care of that.

I think you're going about this all wrong by using a compressor that is not designed for this. I understand you are trying to save money but in the end you won't.

thanks

You could put a coalescing oil filter on the outlet. That should take care of the oil. Probably won't find one really cheap tho. Your compressor should work for a temporary setup, but I wouldn't go full time with it.

I am trying to come up with a tank rig for my application. The compressor search is ongoing, but may have narrowed it down to a Gast model. Need to talk to the egg heads at Gast so I don't blow the thing up on the first spin

thanks for the advice, i have the air compressor and stuff to put it together with just trying to figure out if it pump to much or not enough cfm's. At no cost does not realy matter how long it last. Plan on getting a different pump in the future for standby. It has a 30 gallon tank was thinking if i have a drop below the air line to keep it drained. My thinking that it might stop up a diffuser with oily air

Have you considered selling your current compressor and using the money to buy the right equipment?

Perhaps someone else can chime in, but I'd bet the appropriate air pump to do this correctly will also cost you less in electricity. I learned this the hard way on small water features-often the lower cost pumps used a lot more electricity. Turns out that the more expensive pump cost less to operate, and also lasted longer. The extra short term cost was made up with savings on my electric bill.

Regardless of what you decide, I'll be interested to know what you do. Good luck with your project.

GGB

thanks i have been looking at compressor not sure what is the best to buy pond is only 3/8 acre and max dept will be 10' wanted everything to be ready for stocking this fall. So i will just discard the idea of using the air compressor and by right one.

BWS

well here is an update I talked to Mr. RC51 about his systems after reading 100's of post and have his suggestions now installed and working in my pond will try to upload video. Only thing I have yet to buy is the weighted air line from Mr. Ted will wait on a few more funds wife is going through chemo right now and it saps all of the extra funds. Just like to say thanks to all who were willing to give advice.

Bobby, my prayers for her fast recovery and to your family. The big C has touched many of us here.

Thanks esshup prayers are coveted