Looking at setting up an aeration system in my pond and looking for some guidance. It was deepened in 2005 and is U shaped and about an acre. 2/3 of it is 5.5 feet deep, toward the open-end of the U, and 1/3 is 8-11 feet deep. Drops 2-2 1/2 ft in the summer. Have it stocked with 70 YP, 50 LMB, 40 BG, and 50 catfish. I use a feeder to supplement and have it on the lowest setting. It appears every one spawned this past year.
The pond is used as my own science project and for some fishing and food. Would like to add aeration to increase the health of the pond but mostly to decrease the chance of winterkill. I live in western New York and had a winterkill five years ago before I enlarged and deepened the pond to its present size.
I would like the aeration to one decrease the winterkill chance, would like it to be unobtrusive as possible, the farthest point between the pond and an electric supply is 250 yards, and would be looking at the cost of running it. Reading the PB aeration edition, it seems like I would be looking at either a diffused aeration system or a horizontal circulator.
I use a Hach test kit to check the water and the results are consistently alkalinity: 30mg/l, total hardness 50 mg/l, ph 7-7.5. The pond has a clay/ shale bottom and fills from run off.
Any advice would be appreciated. Was looking at using it as a spring project.
