I've noticed the same thing adding aeration.
The big pond is in its second year, with no aeration the first year then aeration put in this spring. The water turned what I would describe as a stained color. Somewhat like a tannin stain from decaying leaves. Or a blackish color would be another way to say it.
The forage pond was built early this year, with no aeration early on but put in about a month ago. It also changed from a greenish tint to a color similar to the big pond but not as bad.
The sediment pond was built recently and aeration installed within a month of filling. It has kept the green cast color.
The refurbished old pond has never had aeration and it maintains the greenish healthy look also.
I have a theory. It may or may not be right.
My theory is that the aeration is working on the sediment that had developed in the ponds. Big pond had good growth of FA first year that turned into a black muck over winter. I'm guessing the aeration is causing this muck to be recycled.
The forage pond had less time to develop sediment, although it did have some early very heavy algae growth that died off, so it did have a thin layer of muck when the aeration was installed. Thus, if my theory is correct, the added DO is working on this muck layer also, but to a lesser intensity.
My old pond without aeration has a much better or healthier looking water than the ponds with it. With the exception of the sediment pond, which had no time to build up a muck layer.
If my theory holds correct, as the muck in the ponds gets recycled and diminished, these ponds will eventually get better looking water. I've already noticed my big pond got a better looking greenish cast a week or two ago. Now with really hot weather it is looking the tarnished color again.
I may be all wet in my assumptions, and would welcome comments. But my early experience is that when the aeration is initially installed in a pond of some age, the water gets worse looking. Hopefully that will change with time.
Am I sorry I installed aeration? Not yet. In fact, in my big pond the current water level is approaching 2' below full pool. We started out with a deficit after last summer and the usual heavy spring rains never showed up to refill the pond. Although we have had rain this year, the rains have been in relative small events with little to no runoff. Right now we are loosing a lot of water to evaporation. I think it would be very possible, if winds died down, my big pond might be set up for a fish kill. Maybe not, because it is still fairly young and the fish not really big. But I would worry about it. With the aeration I'm satisfied I don't have the stratification that I would otherwise have, thereby allowing the fish to utilize the lower level of water.
I think I have the same problem with visual water quality as you Drogo. And based on other ponds very near, I also think it was caused by the aeration. The question for me is if this condition will pass. I believe it will, but do not know.
Last edited by snrub; 08/24/14 10:03 PM.
