I thought I would share my experiences with my first eight months of aeration operation in NE Ohio and other observations with our pond overall--

First, in my experience the operation of aerator system with two diffusers in our quarter acre pond- the water bubbling and movement does NOT deter muskrats and even Mink. I trapped three rats and one Mink in 11 day period in March 2020. By mid-summer 2019 the muskrat infestation severely damaged pond weed, yellow iris, water lilies and increased overall water turbidity. Not to mention bank damage and erosion.

Second, the spruce trees and ornamentals around the bank of pond do NOT deter waterfowl visits. GBH, Canadian Geese, Mallard ducks and even Wood ducks. All considered a nuisance in our pond. My intention was to provide shade to water to keep temps down and prevent landing path for birds. They simply figure out adjacent areas to land and walk to the pond anyway.

Three, during the summer months the fish activity seemed greater and fish feeding was more energetic with aeration. The water clarity also improved once the rats were eliminated. BTW- as expressed in many PB threads, be careful with initial startup of aeration in a BOW with significant muck and biological build-up on the water bottom. I was lucky-- the only thing I killed last summer with 24/7 startup aeration was the four muskrats present then. Somehow the fish survived. I just wish I found PB forum PRIOR to adding DIY pond aeration system.

I'm convinced I applied too much aeration during winter months. It caused added water turbidity and I suspect too much water mixing for maintaining some warmer water temps in deeper area of pond. I do not, however, have data to back up this water temperature suspicion. I had diffusers in about 4' depth. I look forward to future PB articles and experiences on how water does and doesn't mix with regards to diffuser depth. We had a mild winter versus normal, so open water at bubble plume was never smaller than 12 to 15' diameter. I doubt this much open water is desired. The diffusers in our pond are ring style with about a 6" pedestal as the base to keep ring off the bottom.

With current muskrat problem resolved (traps), I hope to see recovery of Yellow Iris, water lilies and pondweed. The plants really seem to help with water clarity during the summer months. And provide cover for young BG and eventually minnows I hope.

One last observation. I did have more than expected fishkill after ice out this spring. No LMBs, but probably two dozen BG. About eight or nine large, mature BG and the remainder 2" to 4" BG. The smaller fish would stress a day or two before eventually dying. They would swim lazily if in deeper water near surface, then gradually swim to the bank edge and die. I don't know what to think about cause of BG stress. I would estimate there are around 100, 2 to 3" BG and a couple dozen 4 to 6" BG still doing well. I've observed nearly a dozen LMB. I hope to reduce that number by half or more. We nearly always have bountiful LMB spawn each season.

Should I get water tested?? With current cold snap, I've turned off the aeration. We've had a lot of windy days and if the aeration was in some way related to BG stress, I wanted to temporarily eliminate the aeration as a stress possibility. The only change to the pond other than aeration in the last six months was adding a few hundred pounds of concrete block and some rocks. This was done in early October to correct some of the muskrat damage along two bank locations. Thanks for reading along and any suggestions.