IMO you can't have too much aeration. I wouldn't mind having another Vertex XL5 (5 diffuser heads) and my pond is only 1/4 S.A.! I think adding bacteria is key too. From looking at pictures online it looks like water treatment facilities use much more aeration than your average pond owner, I'm sure cost is a factor. While looking for my pump I learned that septic tanks can be aerated and in fact it's code in some states. Further reducing the solids before going into a leach field will greatly lengthen it's life, reduce problems and benefit the environment. I wish Michigan would get on the bandwagon with this.
Fishfrank, here's my pump ratings:
MODEL AT05 SERIES
10 PSI MAX. PRESSURE CONTINUOUS DUTY
15 PSI MAX. PRESSURE INTERMITTENT DUTY
4.8 CFM OPEN FLOW
At 13' deep my pump is running at about 10 PSI with the Vertex XL5 but before I had my pond re-dug, just a couple of feet, it was running much lower. It's been almost 2 years since I re-dug and I don't see any muck yet or FA. I hope this helps.
