Pond Boss Forums AERATION Systems questions psi calculation

I'm trying to set up an aeration system for my 1/4 acre, 7' deep pond. It has a small stream feeding it and about 100 springs coming up from the bottom. It stays very cool...to say the least. I have a GAST Regenair R1102 Rotary Vane pump and 2 9" high density membrane diffusers. I can't figure out the psi of my pump. It puts out 23 cfm and is recommended for pond aeration. I have 1 1/4" pipe coming out and when I drop the diffusers below 2' in the pond they stop putting out those beautiful little champagne bubbles that I want. Is my pipe diameter too large? I used this as it matches the outlet in the pump. Would a smaller diameter pipe increase the pressure enough to make it work? Help...

Skiddie,

Regenerative blowers are meant for very low pressure applications. I saw that it was recommended for pond aeration but this pump would only work in a VERY shallow pond....something more like a puddle. Needless to say this claim is misleading on the part of the manufacturer. In fact the pump curve suggests that it quits producing air in 30" of water which is just over 1 PSI. This doesn't even include your friction loss from piping/feeder tubing which is probably why yours is cutting out at 24". You should get yourself an oiless rotary vane or rocker piston style compressor. 1.25" PVC is plenty assuming your not moving air more than 1000' Good luck.