Pond Boss Forums AERATION Systems questions Sediment in aerated pond.

It may indeed by decaying organic matter but I'm not sure water testing will help as those are obviously not dissolved solids. Since everything settles out so fast the jar test shows that it could be mechanical agitation causing your turbidity.

Would it be helpful to get the diffuser off the bottom a little more?

BUMP

Send a private message to Ted Lea for a good answer.

Hi Ted:

When you have a few minutes, could you give us a run down of this process? I think it would informative and a benefit for all. Thank you.

Backstroke

I think it would. I think the deeper your diffuser is the stronger the current, no? I heard something like that, not from Ted but I would like to hear what Ted has to say about this.

Bumping.

Since bottom water is just that and has not been exposed to the surface temps it will now react with sunlight and warmer or (different) temperatures in general. Higher Ortho P levels and nitrate levels will now get diluted also. But having those higher levels in the lower depths (nutrient sink) with out sunlight and cooler water may keep them from contributing to growth of FA & plankton and making themselves available for uptake by bottom rooted plants. Lower water PH levels may be raised and higher surface ph levels lowered. Other than natural mixing ponds become layered/ stratified. When aerating or circulating a body of water has to find a new "normal" and see what will thrive and struggle in this new eco system. Current anerobic bacteria will now be replaced with aerobic bacteria and as the pond bottom comes alive it will take some time for a pond "to find itself" and establish that new norm. This can take weeks or months as all ponds and lakes can react differently to aeration either bottom diffused or surface aeration.

Matt, how is your water clarity doing?

My water quality is ok. My water supply is from my neighbors pond. I plan on using my well overflow and a ram pump to feed my pond for next year and eliminate my neighbors pond as part of the problem. I was out in the canoe today and can only see about 3 feet down. I have stopped aerating for the year because we are hoping to make some good ice up in the cold vermont winters. Thanks for all of the input as always i am open to thoughts or suggestions.