Pond Boss Forums AERATION Systems questions How far can I run air line?

I have posted in the past about an old farm pond I have been working with off and on. My question now, which I never even considered in the past, is how far can I run air line for an aeration system? There is no power within 500 ft of the pond, but there is power at the hog barns. Could I bury air line that far? I was always thinking of how to get power to the pond but not considered just getting the air there. If it is possible, what kind of system do I need, roughly what does it cost, and roughly how much does the electric cost to run it. Thanks for the help whoever responds.

P.S. just under an acre, 8 foot at the deepest, tear drop shape, very shallow over half of the pond and amazingly no fish kill this winter!!!!!!!

Hey AB,

Yes you can run tubing that far easy. I know some guys that have it 1000 feet from their pond.

They make different types of tubing you can use. Some cheeper than others. Anything from a form of black plastic tubing to using PVC pipe.

Most guys will tell you to use the black tubing which is cheeper and still works fine all the way to the pond than from the pond edge you will need some weighted hose to your air station. Weighted hose is the way to go bar none! I got my from the late great Mr. Ted Lea but his site is down at the moment.

At any rate I have about the same size pond as you do mine is 1 acre and 8 to 9 feet deep average about 5 feet. I have a Gast 1/3 HP 0523 pump and 2 diffusers in my pond plus the weighted hose. If you look around you can get setup for around 4 to 600 bucks for a DIY system. Course that price range depends on the pump you find and at what cost and how much you will spend on black tubing getting to your pond. But it can be done. Others will chime in maybe and give you a litte more insight but you can do it.

RC

airborne3118,

I am no expert but I can pass along what I have and give you feedback on the performance.

I have a 240 Single Phase, 3/4 hp (0.56kW) compressor pushing 3 stations with two 9" diffuses in 4' of water, 8' & 10' of water. I have been running the pump for almost 2 years now 24/7.

I have 1-1/4" PVC buried about 3' deep and for 150 yards from the pump to the manifold. From the manifold I have 7/8" weighted line going out (1) 150', (2) 175' (3) 100'. I have calculated that I am turning over a 1-7/8" pond 1.17 times a day.

The Vertex pump is running about 3 psi pressure, installed inside a insulated box. For the manifold I had 5 stations assembled so I could hook up 5 if I decided to add 2 more diffuses if I widened the pond later on.

My monthly bill has been around $21 a month for the whole time I have been running the pump.

The reason for the 220 is less power to operate, reason for the 1-1/4" PVC is volume for the distance.

I am completed satisfied with the design and system hands down.

Couppe

RC51 and Couppedeville,

Thanks so much for the quick and informative response. You guys have definately got the old brain smokin' now. I will start looking at system components and run this by Roger (the farmer) and see what he thinks. Thanks again.