Pond Boss Forums AERATION Systems questions Trying to decide on system

We just had our pond redug, and I'm in a bit of a quandary. We have a recommendation to go with a new Vertex HF4-XL2 system, which I'm sure is a very fine system. My quandary is that I have old aeration equipment from Clean-Flo with 2- 3/4 hp vane compressors and diffusers. Would operating costs be lower with the Vertex? Clean-Flo claims billions of bubbles while Vertex has millions of bubbles. Would lift be comparable for mixing? I'm thinking I'm way better off dollar wise to rebuild compressors and use the old, but I don't know what I don't know. Any experiences would be greatly appreciated. Merry Christmas!

This sounds like a great discussion! Can folks from Clean-Flo explain their claim of billions of bubbles? How about Sue from Vertex, do your membranes do millions or billions?

There has to be a way to double check the advertising!

There is a finite number of holes in the membrane placed there by (machines?) by the factory at time of manufacture isn't there? can we measure holes per inch under magnification and extrapolate?

I notice the size of hole (and the bubbles) seems to change depending on how much flex is on the rubber membrane. SO it would seem that if you are running higher CPM and the rubber is flexed upwards more you might get bigger bubbles? Or do the smaller bubbles coalesce with other smaller bubbles on the way up to the surface and become bigger bubbles?

Finally, do smaller bubbles lift more water or bigger ones? Thanks to PB forum I've learned that the aerators don't necessarily add 'air' to the water but provide lift to the water to add 'current'...

Can you provide some details on the pond now after the renovation i.e. depth, size etc? Knowing that might be helpful in determining if your old equipment is adequate or if it makes more sense to go with something else.

Rebuild your old compressors and maybe upgrade some or all of the diffusers. Compare a couple new diffusers and older diffusers then decide how to proceed. Advertisers can claim anything, actual proof /data or testing is what one should be using for comparisons and not claims in advertising unless backed up by actual testing.

We were at 2.5 acres, now at about 2.3 acres. 35% is around 7 feet deep and the rest is 12-13 feet deep, steep slope from shallow to deep. We have 6- 8 inch and one 12-inch Clean-flo diffusers. We haven't contacted Clean-flo yet to get a better idea of equipment needs from their aspect, but assume that, other than maybe needing one other larger diffuser, that our equipment should be adequate because it was before. Of course the diffusers are older and may need cleaning or replacing.

BW is your pond for the most part round or kidney shaped? Bill Cody will tell you right away how many fusers you need and where depends on the shape or structure of your pond. You say you have 6, 8 inch fusers and 1, 12? Is the 12 all by itself? I think you have 2 setups with 3 fusers on each setup would be enough given you have the right equipment. Where does the 12 inch come into play? For winter?

My pond is 1 acre and I have only 2, 9 inch vertex fusers setup with a 1/3 HP GAST rotary vane pump fusers are at 9 feet. This takes care of my pond quite well. Course I don't have to worry about winter air. So mine are shut off at this point.

Bills got it right as usual I would rebuild and get some new fusers if need be. The fuser itself is not really that expensive. Just make sure they are fine bubble fusers. As asked above smaller bubbles move more water have more uplift which is what your looking for!

Good Luck and keep us posted,
RC

It's pretty much an oval with one little cove. Clean-Flo diffusers are individual square blocks. The 12 inch was for deeper water.