Pond Boss Forums AERATION Systems questions Please help me upgrade my system

My system is a Thomas 2660 pump with 450 foot of 3/8 air hose run underground. Then 100 foot of 5/8 weighted hose with a single 4 foot colorite ring type difuser. The diffuser is zip tied to a road sighn sitting straight on the bottom. I have a Gauge on it and at about 8 feet it is running 13 psi.
My pond.. It is basically a round pond which is .35 surface acres. Max depth is about 9 feet with an average depth of roughly 4 1/2 to 5 feet. It has a heavy load of fish and I feed heavily also. I need to work on this this summer. I have cnbg,res,cc,lmb and 1 grass carp.
My concern.. I got this system on the cheap about 5 year ago and it has served me well but as I learn more I feel that's what I have a cheap system. The diffuser I think could be better and my psi concerns me. My first pump lasted 3 years. This is my 2nd.
My goals.. I'm looking to have a system that will keep as much o2 in the water as the temp will allow. I was also thinking about putting the system on a timer and only running at night to maybe manipulate the water temp a couple degrees in the hot summer. If this would be possible.
So what do I need to look at changing in my system?
Thanks

Well, the first thing I think you will need to do is upgrade the 450' of tubing to something with a larger inside diameter.

Given the size and depth of your pond, you have to have a diffuser or diffusers that will move 571,000 gallons of water to the surface once in a 24 hr. period or as long as you want to run your compressor. i.e. if you want to run your compressor 8 hrs. at night, you will have to have enough air volume and diffusers to move 71,375 gallons of water per hour at a bare minimum.

A Vertex diffuser needs 0.5 cfm minimum to open and get the bubbles going. It's operation range is from 0.5 to 1.5 cfm.

I would pull the diffuser off of your airline, and sink it down to the bottom of the pond, and then check the amount of pressure in the line. You should not see more than 0.5 psi for every foot of water that is over the airline at it's outlet. If you see more than that, there is too much resistance to flow in the airline, i.e. it is too small of a diameter.

At 2 cfm (1 cfm per disc), at 5' deep, a dual disc Vertex XL2S airstation will move 1,850 gpm.

I would consider moving that 571,000 gallons once per day to be a minimum, and would rather see you move it 2x per day due to the fish load. I would rather see you run the aeration system 24/7, but if you don't want to do that, run it from sundown to an hour after sunrise, and all day if there is heavy cloud cover.

You should have enough numbers in the above information so that you can figure out the rest of the system by getting in touch with the people who you will be buying the components from. If they cannot furnish you with CFM ratings at 3 psi backpressure, find someone else to purchase from.

Thanks for all the advice. I will pull the diffuser off the next chance I get and check the pressure and take it from there.
Thanks

Ok I got some data tonight. 12 1/2 psi with the dissuser @ 7 foot. Max depth of pond is 8 that I found. Pulled the diffuser ring off and with the line on the surface it was 11 1/2 psi. Didn't bother sinking it. I cut the line @300 foot where some tree roots was pushing it to the top. 8 1/2 psi.
It will take me some time to replace the air line but I can replace the diffuser in an evening.
Esshup, I have been buying my feed through you this year along with a few things i need you have. I see you sell vertex. You have my business. If you have a diffuser that will work let me know. I can't post pictures but I will try to email you some for more information.
My pump specs are 4.6 cfm max psi 40
Thanks