Plan appears okay. You can very adequately operate 3, 4 and even 5 9" diffusers with the 0523. I run 6 diffusers with my 0523.The more air volume each diffuser receives it tends to 'a little bit' increase the volume of upwelling water due to more bubbles produced, however an additional diffuser does much more to increase water flow. Over extending the membrane diffuser with excess air results in larger bubbles squeezing out the slits which is not really a big benefit.
"would running 2 be easier on my pump than one?" No. Pump 'stress' is dependent on depth of diffuser and running pressure. Pump needs to use all air produces; it does not benefit from, nor can it produce 'stored air'. Increasing number of diffusers does not benefit the pump unless one diffuser causes back pressure due to not being able to release all the air volume produced (too small or too few holes for air release or some sort of valve or airline restriction). Ideally the system all out of the water should read 0psi indicating basically no restriction.
IMO if you build your diffuser with 3-4 9" disks you will get more flow volume, a faster pond turnover, and you can turn your pump off for more hours each day. In MI with a 1/3 ac pond you do not need to run your pump 24/7 unless your pond is in a woods, is full of organics, algae, and dye. Dye reducees light penetration and reduces natural plant production of oxygen for the annual oxygen budget.
I would not remove the restrictor from the Vertex diffuser. Just by a membrane disk without the special valve.
Last edited by Bill Cody; 07/25/16 10:51 AM.
