RobA, If a pond does not have a full year (season) of aeration runtime yet and is shut off fully for the winter I prefer to startup slowly when going into first year of fulltime aeration. Fulltime for you may be on 8 months not including winter aeration. I agree with Cecil that your getting more mixing now with wind and flucuation of air temps than what most aeration systems can provide. If a pond has had a history of negative bottom water it should be cleaned up going into the first year of fulltime operation.This is being very conservative (and safe)