Pond Boss Forums AERATION Systems questions Diffuser Questions

I have poured over the forums, YouTube videos, images, etc at different diffusers. I'm probably going to go with a pair of vertex 9" and a thomas 2660. But I'm curious about a couple things. The Kasco robust air diffusers look to be built with soaker hose?? Is this correct? I have read that the soaker hose style does not lift the water column like the membrane with little holes...like the vertex. I would assume Kasco has done its homework and from the videos I watched it does a good job. Its also pretty pricey if in fact it is soaker hose...guess you are paying for the base?

Does anyone else have this?? What are your thoughts? Also how do the matala discs compare to the vertex?? All three are sponsors and someone will get the my business just curious on the three. I also found another brand (on ebay) that stated it had around 6500 slits in the 9" disc...its not vertex...but isn't that about what a vertex 9" has? I think I read that somewhere. I'm sure thats a cheaper knockoff of a vertex, but I still have some learning to do before Christmas time! lol

Thanks!

IMO vertex is top of the line in membrane. I can't remember the number off the top of my head but maybe someone else will but they have a STUPID high amount of slits in their membranes, and the more tiny slits the better!!!! Remember tiny bubbles create your lift your looking for to bring your water back up to the surface and re-introduce it to the air on the top of the pond. Vertex creates a very nice uplift with all them tiny bubbles. As far as bases go you can use a lot of things.

1. A weighted down milk crate is good plus it keeps your fusers up off the ground some.

2. A nice larger used tire works good.

3. I am using metal panel off of a side of a computer.

Lots of good ideas out here.

RC

I think Kasco is a different shaped membrane, but still a membrane diffuser. Kasco units seem to be a little more energy efficient than the Vertex.

RC, thanks for the ideas...I guess I'm like most of us, want the most bang for my buck. I guess I was like many thinking that aeration only put o2 in the water, but the goal is to turn the water over so the "dead" water on the bottom becomes live again, and fish can take advantage of it. Amazing the in depth information on this site!

Brian, here is a picture of the Kasco unit I'm talking about. Its a neat design and I've heard alot of good reviews, but to me it looks like soaker hose that has been alot more thought out than a simple circle.



An XL2 setup is a little cheaper than the robust aire, so I'm just wondering if there is any difference in the robust aire and soaker hose? I would think being a Kasco it would have to be well designed and thought out.

I have that exact Kasco diffuser. I have 3 in my pond. Enormous amount of tiny bubbles. Only had it a few months but am running it 24 hours a day with no problems. Filled the base full of pea gravel and place directly on the bottom of the pond floor. Tied a duck decoy to each for easy retrieval for cleaning. I am running the 1/2 hp pump.

Flame, could you tell what the black hose was? Could it be an industrial soaker hose?

Flame, you are running 3 with 1/2 hp?? WOW! How large and deep is your BOW?

Brian, it "looks" like soaker hose but a lot stouter and certanly must have multitudes more holes in it!! Very industrial looking. Peachgrower, I am running 3 diffusers. Pond is only about 12 foot deep but 2 acres. It was cheaper to buy 3 and I needed to run each one 150 ft. I built my own screened covered box for mine to keep it running very cool. It also has the fan on it that came in the kit.

Thanks for that info. I may look deeper into that setup then. Do you think it will take cleanings well? I would think soaker hose would eventually begin to flake apart after a few years of using and cleaning.

Like flame, I also run the Kasco system and use 6 of the diffuser heads in a 3.25 acre pond. the number of heads was determined by the pond bottom structures. I have cleaned the heads once and was an easy task by using a medium stiff brush. There was little cleaning needed after being in the pond for 9 months at the time.