I turn my diffuser on at night regardless of the air temps. Apparently I lucked out in that due to the amount of flow into my pond (51.6 F.), the steep sides, and the small size of the pond, I've monitored a drop in temps as soon as the sun starts to lay down. By morning my pond is usually in the low 60's and the max temp even in the hottest weather was 66 during the day around the edges.
On a side note I recently took down my packed column to remove the iron that was coating the plastic media. (an annual pain which involves muriatic acid) In the mean time the water drops into a lined pit before going underground and cascading out of an upturned elbow into the pond. The trout are doing fine, so I'm going to compare D.O. saturation before and after I put back up the packed column. It's possible there isn't that much of a difference. If so I'll take it back down! I will keep you posted if anyone is interested.
(I set up the packed column from advice of a consultant) I can see if if I had a raceway, but with two points of saturation and a pond I may find it not necessary.
My browns grow just as fast as the bows I've had. Not sure if it's the strain or some other factor. They do get plenty to eat. I had one go from 1.5 lbs. to 7 lbs. 12 oz. in one year.
BTW that aerator thermostat is pretty cool!
Last edited by Cecil Baird1; 08/14/08 10:48 PM.
