Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Moving Aerator in Winter?

f.bear - Do you use Aquashade that limits oxygen production??

If you are going to be ice skating /sleding on your pond I would not run your aaerator in winter because:
1. You have a new pond. New ponds have very little oxygen demand/loss in the winter under ice. Your depth should have a "storehouse" supply of oxygen for a minimum of 5 weeks in total darkness under snow cover.

2. Since your kids will be skating or playing on ice someone will shovel at least some of the snow off (mimimum 20%) . Wind may also blow a sizable spot clean of snow. This will allow light peneteration then phytoplankton will make all the oxygen needed during winter. Sporaic short term 3 wk snow cover is not real bad in YOUR situation. However 12" to 18" of snow cover for 5 -7 wks is bad. If around Flint you get 6" to 12" snow cover on ice ALL winter I would consider running aerator at the shallow depth (4'-5') maybe beach area daily 4- 6 hrs thru winter. Just enough to keep an open area near shore for light penetration.

3. If you insist on running a diffuser in winter pull one of them into 4ft deep and run it there 5 to 6 hrs per day. Make sure your check valve is working good before freeze up and that you have pressure relief on the compressor if you turn it of periodically. Same reason as with "fins" windmill above.

4. Resume aeration in spring when surface water temp is 46 to 55F.

Running 24/7 I would love to supply you guys with repair parts for your compressor. Most all my customers run only 4 to 6 hrs per day in a pond like yours. They don't need any parts until 7 to 10 years. Running 24/7 you will replace vanes or rebuild kit is due in 10000 hrs. You do the math.