Pond Boss Forums AERATION Systems questions 2.8 acre Aeration Set Up

I hope to never test the freezing theory. The PVC will break easily. I had one facing vertical on a 24" vertical 2" stub pipe. Left water running through the 4" pipe below it. It got below freezing one night (I forget how cold it got but it was either in the teens or low 20's). next morning there was a geyser of water shooting up in the air and all over the breaker box. I shut the main power off to kill the pump, then shut off the pump at the breaker box before turning the power back on.

I have the system set up so that if I shut off the pump, I unscrew an end cap and all the water will drain out of the pipes. I open the ball valves anyway, as I had ANOTHER one collect some water on the top side of the ball and crack the valve even though the system was drained of water.

The brass ones seem to have teflon seals to rub on the stainless ball. They sure do open/close a LOT easier than the PVC ones.

My hose bibs are the same way, they are full flow 3/4" ball valves, on 3/4" PVC pipe. I can shoot water 25 feet from the end of the 50' 3/4" dia hose. I shut them off and drain them, cracking open the ball valve to let any excess water drain out. I cracked one that I didn't open and didn't find the crack until I turned everything on again in the Spring.

I'd use the frost proof hose bibs, but they have such a small opening in them there isn't enough water volume going through them for me.