Pond Boss Forums AERATION Should I aerate? Newbie needs help First pond no aerator, Lots of ?

With a pond depth of 10ft, you will most likely benefit more from a bottom based diffuser system rather than a floating fountains. Fountains just dont provide that much aeration past the first few feet. You could combine the two to get the best of both worlds, but that would obviously be expensive. If you are new to aeration, I dont know if I would recommend building your own system without some solid input from a professional. There are variables to consider and the last thing you want is an undersized aeration system.

Here is a link to an article with some good general info on aeration systems Pond Aeration. I would also definitely try to get a copy of the Aeration issue from Pond Boss. It is a must read...probably the best information assembled on pond aeration.

Well said Cokeisit. That has always been my position on aeration. After reading virtually everything on Pond Boss about aeration I realized that a well designed system can have significant benefits for a pond. A pourly designed system can be disasterous.

When you guys say (well designed system) what all is involved, or calculated?

For starters (In rough priority ranking IMHO):

Size, volume, depth, and shape of pond, including any submerged or emergent islands.

Distance from compressor to diffusers and size of pipe/hose used to connect.

Fish species, number, and size present.

Feeding? How much?

Age of pond and existing organic sediment load.

badbuck, I sent you a PM

I have had my pond since 1999. I have a blower, quarter horse power that is doing a great job of aeration. The pond is 17 feet deep and the defusers go clear to the bottom.The 4 defusers are connected to a plastic board so it does not sit in the mud. The one thing I need to change is to change to sinking tubing. Mine is sitting on the top of the water and I think it looks bad. But this blower goes 24/7. It mixes the water just right for swimming, no cold spots. What does cool the water is my lovely growth of cattails around the pond. I really need to get rid of those, they are alot of work in the spring when the dead vegetation needs to be scooped out of the pond. But the aeriation keeps the water crystal clear with no algae or scum. It is a joy to swim in. Bobbi