I have a good friend that lives near by. She’s a recent widower. She has a small 1/2 to 3/4 ac pond behind her home. She had a leak in the drain several years ago. I helped her get in touch with a “former” regular here on PB. I fixed the leak in the pipe, I think.
Later when I visited I hear a compressor running, and noticed aerators had been installed. I could see three or four areas where bubbles were coming to the surface. The pond already had a big fountain that ran all day every day. I asked why. I was told the aeration would help prevent algae on the pond. (This is what my friends were told).
They still get algae, and are being charged $1,000 for algae treatments by the same person that fixed the pipe, and installed the aerators. I’ve told her I’ll spray something for the algae for less than $1,000. Free is definitely cheaper.
I was told last night that she needs two aerators replaced, and new tubing installed. It was just put in a few years ago. I don’t know what this will cost her. I told her to hold off. That maybe the two working aerators were enough. That maybe she didn’t even need any aerators since they had the big fountain running all the time. They don’t really care about fish. They don’t swim in the pond. It’s only for looks. They do have geese, but lime them. I think they put in dye, I’m not 100% sure of that.
Do you think they even need any aeration? Are two enough, or does she need to spend thousands more to get the other two repaired and or replaced?
I feel guilty and responsible for referring the pond expert to them in the first place.
Looking for opinions here, so I can help guide this recent widow on what to do. But I know very little about aeration.
Thanks

12 yr old pond, 1 ac, 15' deep.
RES, YP, GS, FHM (no longer), HBG (decreasing), SMB, and HSB (only two have been seen in 5 yrs)
I think that's about all I should put in my little pond.
Otter attack in 2023.