I'm relatively new to aeration but I have noticed that 24x7 operation is not needed in my .79 acre 8' deep BOW.

The water temps were getting alarmingly warm, so I switched to 9pm-4am x7 days.
The water temps went back down and the fish feed better (5:30pm.)

I also notice more dusk time predator surface action with the aeration off.
With a 1/4 acre pond, you don't need 24x7.
I look at aeration like feeding- both are supplemental to what nature is already providing.

Some of the diaphragm pumps pull 60w.
That's not much draw on a typical solar battery bank.
My diaphragm septic pump is relatively quiet in its weatherproof housing, but I'm rarely at the pond when it's running.

I bet using a 60W panel, 4x 6V golf cart batteries, an inexpensive charge controller and a small inverter, you could run a small diaphragm pump 6hrs a day without drawing your bank below 50%.
(I am assuming you have a good spot to put the panel)

Last edited by Clay N' Pray; 06/05/18 01:20 PM.
Half acre 30 year old farm pond, Mebane NC. Aeration & feeder.
LMB, CC, SC, BG, HBC, two no account welfare carp and nine seasonal Tilapia that all the other fish are terrified of.