Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Enough aeration??

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

That situation smells fishy.

I’m really uncomfortable with it. I do not want to stick my nose into another man’s business. But I do not like seeing someone get taken advantage of. I just don’t know enough about all this to know right from wrong. But it does seem fishy.

As you and your neighbor are learning aeration does NOT stop nor prevent algae. If aeration as a dual form of fountain and bottom mixing prevents algae why does the neighbor need to spend $$$$ for algae treatment? . Ask her that question. Abviously aeration does not prevent algae. I see well aerated ponds covered with surface algae. I see lots of tilapia needed and being used to consume algae problems in ponds that are well aerated.

I would like someone explain to me why aeration prevents algae. Nutrients cause algae and sometimes aeration stimulates bacteria to decompose organic materials to release more nutrients that grow plants. Increasing algae and plant production is a natural process of pond aging from the accumulation of more nutrients that grow plants. Ponds are bathtubs with basically no drain; accumulate, accumulate, accumulate year after year. Why would more stuff not want to grow due to more increasing fertility year after year????

Aerator tubing as a few years old should still be very adequate. Self weighted airline tubing is very thick walled and durable unless it has been cut or holes shewed in it. I would suggest to your neighbor that if two bubblers are not working properly or not working the exact cause should be determined. Worst case two new bubbler heads MIGHT be needed or if there is leaking air, the tubing can be cut and spliced together. . At this point it sounds like the neighbor is getting 'hosed'.

In reality with a surface fountain in a 0.5-0.7 ac pond, two bubblers and the activity of the fountain should adequately circulate this pond. SetterG - do you have any idea of the maximum depth of the pond?.? An address location of the property and proper search will allow one to see the size and shape of the pond. This will help determine how many bubbler heads are best applied for this shape of pond.

I’ve never completely figured out the aeration why’s and why nots. I’ve always assumed that you could just mainly support more fish in less water, if it was aerated. And help fish during low oxygen events.
When the consultant added aeration to this small pond that had a big fountain I was surprised. They knew they had a few bluegill in it for grandkids to catch when visiting.
I sent address via PM.
Thanks again for your help.

What Bill said.

FWIW, Vertex has a 15 year warranty on their BottomLine self weighted tubing and 5 year warranty on their airstations.

Bottom aeration when designed correctly for the pond will help minimize sediment build-up in a pond that is deep enough for a thermocline to set up by keeping enough O2 available at the bottom to allow aerobic bacteria to chew up organics at a faster rate than anaerobic bacteria. If no fish or minimal fish are in the pond, or if a pond is shallower than around 6', then aeration isn't really needed but it will help move water around.

Thanks esshup,
I believe she’s treating the algae on her own. We are out of town for a few more days. Maybe she will let me help when we get back. I think she holding off on getting the two diffusers replaced. Hopefully the home will sell fairly quickly, and the new owner can figure all this out.
Thanks