Pond Boss Forums AERATION Systems questions Beaver Springs Big Max

They advertise on PB and the price was very appealing, so I ordered one.

It's overkill for my pond. Too much is better than not enough, I think.


http://www.fishpondaerator.com/files/bigmaxdesc.html

Augie - I had a terrible time with this group. Remanufactured unit supplied was discontinued and failed twice. I have two of their useless pumps sitting on my tool table - glad to send them for the cost of the shipping since they are useless to me. Caveat emptor.

Keystone Hatcheries provided Gast 1/4 HP Rotary Vane Compressor, 2 cooling fan kit for cooling and their 2-valve outlet for a converted landscape valve box and it has run flawlessly now for 16 months with very little maintenance (cleaned the intake filter, cleaned both the incoming and exiting fans 2x) for a little over $800 and it was worth ridding myself of the frustration of working with less than honorable retailers. I added two Matala Single Air Base w/9 in Disc from Amazon for $138 and the system hums 24/7/365. Wishing you better luck than I had with fibberpondaerator.com

Chas

I appreciate your response, Chas. It's disappointing to hear that a PB forum advertiser would treat a customer in that manner.

I got a negative feedback report from another PB forum member via PM earlier today.

I will report my experience with the BSBM system on this thread.

If this purchase turns out to be another one of my Lamont moments I won't hesitate to let everyone know.

If this purchase turns out to make me look like a genius I will share that as well.

Initial report.

Product arrived yesterday.

Diffusers pictured and described on the seller's web page are 18" bar units. Diffusers they sent look like soaker hose looped around to a tee fitting. Feels like they're filled with egg sinkers or marbles or something for weight to hold them down. No sign of a check valve to prevent water backflow to the pump.

Pump comes on and blows air.

Air lines, fittings, hose clamps, etc. all there.

System is installed. Still have some finishing touches that need to be done, but nothing urgent.

I'm only using one of the ring diffusers, currently set 4' off the bottom in 15' water, on a stand made from 3/4" PVC pipe and ballasted with two 8"x8"x16" concrete blocks.

I've been running it manually. Still need to install the vents and cooling fan in the Rubbermaid chest that I'm using for a dry box, so for now I just remove the lid while the pump is going. Because of that it's not really on a proper schedule, but I started it up slowly, and have been gradually increasing the run time. It makes quite a boil at the surface. Haven't noticed any stink while increasing the run times. Pond has only been full for a few months, so that's no surprise. It seems the diffusers do have a check valve, as it only takes a few seconds for the boil to appear after starting the pump.

Last checked water temps on Saturday. Had 77° on the surface, 75° at 8', 68° at 9'-10'. Probe has a 10' lead so that's as deep as I'm able to measure.

So at this point I'm gonna say so far, so good.

Future plan is to add a diffuser hose around the perimeter of the dock for winter aeration. Should only be needed intermittently to keep the dock from icing in.

Durability will take some time to prove/disprove.

Ball bearings are what they use inside "diffuser". Mine is the same way and I'm not disappointed in how much water it moves.
Good luck!