Pond Boss Forums AERATION Systems questions How deep to bury airline ?

I'm running about 400' of air line and am going to bury it. How deep do you folks suggest I bury it?

There is a spot where it crosses a stream and I have a culvert so it will be exposed there. I was thinking I should just insulate it?

Any ideas on this or should I give up and trench power to the pond ? Would really prefer not having the compressor by the pond.

I think just below the surface would be fine or even on the surface. I have airlines laying on the surface to my hatchery ponds and as long as my dad remembers to shut off the mower when going over them it's not an issue. Unfortunately he has forgotten a couple of times and I've done some splicing. LOL Not difficult to do with connectors and hose clamps from the local hardware store.

I've also have them under the ice and snow and had no issues as long as I kept the air on.

I think it's more important you don't have any dips where moisture can collect and freeze up.

As long as your airline stays above the waterline on the culvert to keep it from freezing I'd think you would be O.K.

However I'd love to hear others chime in.

I have 20-30 ' of mine exposed on the surface due to complete laziness been that way for a couple years no problems

I don't think you can insulate the above ground airline enough to be effective. I provided my opinions in your other thread.

I would think going below the frost line would be the best rout if you're prone to freezing.

It would be my preference to run power tho.

If the diameter of the airline is large enough, then I doubt that freezing will be an issue. Keep it sloped to the diffuser without any dips and you'll be fine.

I carefully studied the grade today and I can ensure it is downhill all the way to the creek bank. The grade on the other side of the 6' creek is higher - maybe by 1 ft. Then it is 20 feet from there to the pond.

Not sure there is a heck of a lot I can do at the stream to keep the line going downhill argh. I can run it along my barnyard which is a gentle slope up to and across the stream over a culvert.

I may just end up running it above grade for now and see how it goes or just trenching wire. Who knows maybe I will want a fountain in it too someday.

Just a subtle change in a long run in a freezing climate could be an issue.

Most worry about the dip's in the run where water can accumulate, which it may not freeze, but no one ever considers the humps, which may be in the freezing range and the air blowing thru the water, which if it is collecting in a low spot may not clean it out. After all, it is collecting in this low spot, and most likely the air is blowing some vapors around.

Ya think it could produce a Cholesterol issue?

Bury it to save it from future unwanted damage... 6-9 inches is more than adequate. As for insulating any exposed line... maybe run it through a PVC conduit to protect it from pests or damage..

Also, not sure what you are using... but black polyethylene irrigation pipe is cheap, durable and works great!

Miles upon miles of aeration line installed and still counting.

I'd bury it. Too much of a temptation for rodents to chew on.

If you make the buried line a larger ID, more water has to collect to plug it. If the compressor isn't in a heated building, there's even less chance of it collecting moisture and freezing.

I had a clients 3/8" ID airline freeze once. I poured a couple of ounces of 98% (the highest that you can buy) isopropyl alcohol in the line, turned the compressor on, shut it off when PSI was just below max, and did that every hour. After the 3rd try it unfroze the line.

I'd bury 1" or 1 1/4" line and not give it a second thought.