Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Pond Areation

There is a way to check if there are any issues to watch out for when running just one diffuser with the 3/4 hp pump?

In addition to what Knobber posted above (Check the spec sheets of the EasyPro compressors and diffusers.) what you can do is pull out one of the diffusers from the pond . Close the other three diffuser valves while they are still in the pond. Turn on the compressor. If the compressor air gauge reads 0 operating the diffuser out of the pond the pump has no back pressure from the diffuser to the pump and the diffuser is able to freely or easily release all the air volume coming from the compressor. The reason you do not do this with just one diffuser running in the pond is because the head pressure of the water depth produces back pressure. To answer your concern,, you want the system to operate with all free air flow to see the diffuser's ability to freely release all air produced without causing any backpressure. NOTE EXCEPTION Vertex brand diffusers have a special built-in check valve that requires a small amount of pressure to open it. Very long air lines and small diameter airlines can cause some backpressure to the compressor. To avoid this concern hook up the diffuser to the pump with a short hose.

Generally most commercial membrane diffusers are able to release all the air from compressors smaller than 3/4hp; although there are some excepetions. So proceed with caution. I have seen some higher CFM compressors pop out the membrane from disk diffusers.