Pond Boss Forums AERATION Systems questions Freezing Air Lines?

I have seen mention of burying air line to prevent freezing. I must be missing something. If I am just going to be pumping air, then exactly what could freeze? Here in my NC neck of the woods, the ground almost never freezes, but my pond will occasionally ice over. But I don't quite understand how an air line can freeze. Please help.

Line condensation.

Hi Swampmusic ~ Bluegillrkiller is correct. If there are any dips in the airline, condensation can collect and potentially freeze. You really don't need to worry about it though, since you are in NC.

Just for the record none of my airlines are buried and I've never had problems with airlines freezing unless I shut them off. That said I use check valves and my compressors are close to the pond. The one time I had an airline freeze I believe the check valve was faulty.

It is pretty rare ~ I usually get one or two calls every winter. It's an easy fix ~ just pour a little alcohol down the airline and restart.

My old system had 3/4 inch poly pipe running 500 feet to the pond. It had a few dips in it and it would freeze up constantly 50-100 feet from the compressor.

My new system is 25 feet from pond and the lines are sloped into pond. We have had one of the coldest winters and the lines are so warm there is a tunnel melted in the snow all the way to the pond.

That is interesting! So in your climate it really helps to have the cabinet close to the pond so the hot air keeps the lines clear. Blair, you run it 24/7, right?

Yes I run it 24/7. I have shut it off for a day during cold weather in the past and it has never frozen. Cabinet close to the pond and the lines running down hill have saved me tons of headache.

Also having the cabinet outside reduces the amount of moisture in the air vs. having the compressor inside a building pumping out warmer usually air, which usually has more humidity in it.

Thanks a lot for the help. Sounds like if I bury the line just enough so I can mow grass over it, I should be fine. As soon as my compressor arrives I should be all set to begin installing my system.

Speaking of feezing temperatures, it gets down to minus 30c in my area. Will that damage a diaphragm pump? I installed this system after the colder temps had passed.

See what the max pressure rating for that pump is and install an auto reset pressure relief valve on the exhaust side and no damage will result.

Thanks That must mean that the danger is in getting an ice plug. I was thinking more along the line of the diaphragm getting stiff and being damaged that way.

While operating the diaphram should stay warm,(friction, compression) If shut off for a time consider a light bulb or heat tape to warm 5 minutes prior to start.