I have one diffuser set in about 3 foot of water that runs from noon to 2pm, cold weather or not. The last cold snap was pretty extreme for around here, and the system was only able to open about an 8 foot diameter hole which would freeze back over by the time I checked it at 5pm.
Am I doing it right? Is that a large enough hole to really add benefit to the pond? What are the risks of running it for longer and how much longer should I consider under the coldest of weather?
Maybe I do not even need winter aeration since I do not see ice over for more that a week or two between winter thaws.
Set me straight please.
Extra details:
¼ acre pond, 10 foot max depth, 6-7 foot ave depth (steep sides).
Diffuser is near bank in 5 feet of water, but 2 foot off the bottom.
Water temps before the pond freeze where 40 degrees top to bottom.
Yesterday’s ice was likely 5 inches thick except at the hole area where it had frozen back over (all speculation).
