We had a quote for a system speced out for our pond. It was nearly $7,000. That was way over our budget.
Question: Is it advisable to put in a smaller unit in order to provide at least some aeration? Or is that pointless? Are there units we can build on over time?
Backstory: We have serious suspended algae issues and a worsening FA issue. We had the water tested and have an extremely high phosphorous level. The biologists who visited the pond thought the high nutrient levels were a result of the leaf litter on the pond bottom. The pond is 40 years old and surrounded by trees along much of the banks.
Hart, as Bob said, undersized aeration isn't worth the effort from an economic to benefit standpoint.
My first thought on the biologist's theory for high P is...since the leaf litter is in anaerobic (oxygen starved) water, it is decaying 1000's of times slower than it will once proper aeration creates an aerobic (highly oxygenated) environment. If the high P is due to now slowly decaying leaf litter releasing the nutrient, then aeration will release MUCH more, MUCH faster. I am also hope that $7K quote was for a well built compressor housing and installation. Companies have to make a profit to survive, so if they quoted you a larger, top quality Vertex system, weighted tubing, electrical wiring, quality compressor, enclosure and various parts needed, $7k is not unreasonable at all.
You could get other quotes on aeration systems, but a properly sized unit will almost always be well worth busting a budget! Since you have high P, in addition to aeration, you could treat your water with Alum, which will bind the P and render it unavailable to the algae.
How large is your pond? General shape? Coves? Average depth? Any "holes" or islands in the pool area for structure and topographical changes?
