Pond Boss Forums AERATION Should I aerate? East Texas start up

Is it too early to start up aeration in east Texas if not how is the best way to start your aeration. this is the first year I have had a pond. have 500 Overton BG and 100 red ear and 10 lb of FHM put them in this past Nov have seen several balls of FHM all around the pond it is 3/8 of an acre and advice would be appreciated.

I'm new to aeration also, but from what I have read from old threads most recommend going by the water temperature. Seems like the general consensus was around 50-55 degree water temps. I think you want to start up before water starts to form two different zones with a thermocline but after the water warms up from low winter water temperatures. Where you are located, that might come pretty early.

If you do not get any direct answers, you might do a search or just look through the old threads. A lot of discussion about it over the years.

Bobby:

15 minutes today, 30 min tomorrow and keep doubling the time every day until you reach 24hr straight run time.

Bobby, what is your water temps and depths? What aeration system are you using?

Scott is giving you a very safe startup procedure that can't go wrong. And about being too early in East Texas, there is very little chance of hurting any fish here with aeration in the winter, but it could be a waist of money running it when you don't need it, that is about it.

By the way, I assumed you are talking about bottom diffused aeration and not surface aeration this time of the year. Tell us more and the experts can help.

Yes i am using botom diffused aeration have 2 9 inch diffuser. Water dept is around 7ft. Not sure about the temp of the water. I notice a lot of alge along the waters edge was wondering if i need to start it up. But we have another cold spell coming this week so might be better to wait. Just did not want to hurt the fish with early start up. Do FHM stay along the surface in schools most of the time. This was another reason that i thougt that i might need to start the areation going.

Same thing in my pond.
Sat I applied my first 30 lb. bag of Cutrine-Plus Granular.