Surface aerators are just that, mixers of the surface layer that is usually well mixed by activities of nature - weather. Do not expect surface aerators (fountains) to mix water much deeper than the depth of the intake fountain pipe. I once measured the DO in a pond that had a spray fountain(1/2hp) that had an intake 6ft long/deep. Mfg told and displayed a chart to everyone that it circulated the whole pond top to bottom. Pond was 10ft deep. Measurement on Aug 13. DO surf 9.4, 3'7.6, 4'7.0, 5'4.6, 6'3.2, 7'0.4, 9'0.3. One ft below the intake pipe water was not mixed-aerated. With decent wind action most ponds will naturally mix down to 5'to 6' deep. Strong wind action that produces white caps over a large surface distance will mix water deeper than 6ft depending on surface acres and height of waves.
Last edited by Bill Cody; 02/13/17 08:23 PM.
