I think I need to get my other diffuser base made up so I can get the other Vertex diffuser in the shallow portion of the pond and see what the pressure does under real use.
10psi still seems high to me for just the one diffuser running in the water at 9' especially as that is with the pressure relief valve going off when set at 15psi relief.
An inch of ballooning is about what I experienced with both the Vertex diffusers so that is the same.