Without taking DO measurements it is hard to be specific as to the amount of DO production of mechanical versus natural aeration. Many things affect natural DO production but the main things are amount of phytoplankton, attached algae, FA, rooted plants and amount of sunshine each day; each contributes directly or indirectly to the daily DO budget or cycle. Fountain will only produce DO to the depth of the intake and bottom aeration will help distribute or circulate the DO and warmer surface water.
The main thing that is working against long term survival of the trout is the steady annual increase of eutrophication which gradually increases the BOD (biochemical oxygen demand) of the overall pond. Increasing BOD is what eventually kills the trout in the deep cold water layer. Numerous factors contribute to the BOD and oxygen budget of a pond.
Last edited by Bill Cody; 07/07/15 07:22 PM.
