I have several compressors and two different types of diffusers for my three ponds from Stoney Creek.

1.) You aren't going to crank it up full bore this time of year are you? If your pond is stratified you will be bring up anoxic water and may have a fish kill. However, hopefully you talked to the folks at Stoney Creek and you will be doing a gradual break in or you're waiting until the natural turnover this fall.

2.) Yes definitely the weighted tubing is easier to mess with. However, it does kink easily so you have to be careful. There is a weighted tubing available from another manufaturer that does not kink.

If pigs could fly bacon would be harder to come by and there would be a lot of damaged trees.