Just a curious question, why doesn't anyone install two airstones/diffusers, one shallow and one deep. Have a two-way split connected to the main air line on land and a valve to control which destination the air goes to? This is my eventual plan, but I was wondering why I never hear of this for anyone else. Something I am missing perhaps.
I've done that. It sure beats moving one every fall. However for the last few years I have been just removing snow to allow light penetration. My ponds are so steep sided that moving the diffuser as shallow as possible still did more mixing than I wanted to, and therefore some stress to my largemouths (which I no long raise).
However one of these days I may be SOL just removing the snow. The downside to removing the snow is if you get heavy snowfall before the ice is safe enough to step on it and remove it. Then you could have a problem if you can't get on the ice for a good amount of time. (Heavy snow insulated the ice and keeps it from freezing thicker. I've actually had water underneath deep snow)
So if I'm smart I will have the shallow diffuser as a back up.
