Pond Boss Forums AERATION Systems questions East Texas Winter Aeration

I was wondering about running my bottom diffuser aerator through the winter months here in East Texas.

I have a 4.5 acre pond, basically triangular shaped, with an 18� maximum water depth grading to ~2-3� along its major axis. Four diffusers have been running since mid-June of this year, when I installed the 220v powered diffuser. I have a pool thermometer at ~7� depth (actual ~10 depth to bottom) and have measured the temperature dropping dramatically over the last 3 to 4 weeks. It appears to have stabilized at ~40-42� and seems to be quite cold to me or is it?

I have largemouth bass, cats (blue & channel), bluegills, redear, threadfin, tilapia, fatheads, and crawfish stocked. Last year some tilapia were dying off in early January which I suspected/expected due to the 50� water temp at ~10�. Today I saw a floating/wiggling shad which appeared to be suffering from possible cold water effects. BTW, I have not seen any tilapia, but I have not been at the pond for a couple of days either.

I was wondering if I should turn off the aerator during the winter months to prevent any water �superchilling� effects on the tilapia and shad?

If I do turn it off, when should I turn it on again? Should it be based in water temp profile, water quality, filamentous algae presence or other factor(s)?

Thanks in advance for your response,
Jim

Jim,
Run the system. It will help cleanse your water. It won't affect the temperature in a negative way in east Texas.
T. shad, and tilapia, will die in winter. If you have T. mossambica, they go at 52 degrees, while threadfins bite it at 42. So, aerating won't save these fish, if you have a "normal" winter.
So, aeration continues its job of cleansing your water and surrounding environment.

Bob:
Thanks for the recommendation on running the aerator continually through the winter.

Jim

Bob can you explain how running the diffuser in winter when destratified will "help cleanse your water"? I recommend turning them off a few weeks after turnover, but will change this recommendation if I'm missing something here.