Pond Boss Forums AERATION Should I aerate? Cranked up the Kacso surface aerator!

With 10 to 13 inches of ice, up to 18 inches of snow in places on the ice, and borderline D.O. below 7 feet it appears the diffuser in 3 to 4 feet of water close to shore wasn't enough this winter. At this point where D.O. levels could drop even more I'm taking proactive measures to prevent that.

Although expensive at $800.00 I happen to have a Kasco 1/2 hp surface aerator, which I use in one of my production ponds if the algae bloom gets out of hand and could crash. My fish I sell for two niche markets are worth several thousand dollars so I don't believe this is over the top.


Basically I am floating this in an open area created by the diffuser to make the open area larger to allow in more sunlight and natural diffusion by air water interface.(Before the Kasco the open water was much smaller). The surface aerator doesn't pull too much water from the deep, but it does a good job of aerating what the diffuser brings up and really cuts the ice.

With above freezing temps forecast for at least the next 7 days, I'm not concerned too much about super chilling. I'm also skeptical it's as much an issue as some think due to a study I read by Dr. Willis on the Pond Boss mag, and my own previous experience opening up water three years ago -- in sub zero temps -- that didn't cause any fish morbidity or mortality even with fish right next to the aerator in cages. This included yellow perch and bluegills. However, in all fairness I only ran the Kasco for a week and then had a complete thaw. Perhaps longer would have been an issue?

I also think if one had to pick the lesser of two evils, some super chilling would be favored over low oxygen levels.

I thought I would share this with anyone here that can't bear to have a winterkill if other proactive measures have failed. It's an option if it's late winter and ambient temps are on the rebound but the ice is still in place.

Didn't you win that Kasco in an auction/door prize at an MAA meeting? I remember you mentioning that in the past. Or was it another Cecil

It sure was a bad several weeks for pond owners that were not prepared. We never really got our January thaw, but things are melting outside pretty good right now. Supposed to get rain tonight, and may even get into the low 50's this week. Not bad for February in MI. Usually, this time is the worst!

Nope I paid hard cash for this one. I remember seeing up offered in the silent auction at MAA but I didn't get it.

My mistake! The MAA is changing it's face. DV took over as president as RA resigned to develop aquaculture in third world countries. Much better environment than MI he says.

The focus is more intense on food production with the new admin., and there is a processor in Grand Rapids.

Would be interesting to see how this plays out.

Dont bet the farm, as I am sure I will be well planted before anyone get's anyplace.

Maybe a future generation.

Actually JKB no time is better than right now. There are a lot of people interested in aquaculture from individuals that just want to supplement their table food to large corporations that want to diversify their income. Interest has exploded in the last few years but many people aren't sure where to go for the information and contacts they need. That's where a state aquaculture association comes in to play.

MI still has too many problems, but may be on the mend due to the new administration.

I saw some news reports about the MAA meeting last week and looks like the new director of the DNR is a fish friendly sorta guy. Maybe they can get some of these insane regulations off the books.

It really is cheaper for someone to raise their own fish rather than buy them in a store. People should eat more fish because it is healthy. Ponds are a good way to do that, but not every one can have a pond. Recycle systems are a great way to do that, but not many people know about them. Adding Aquaponics in the mix is an added benefit.

With Aquaponics, the thing I would do is maximize fish production in a recycle system and side stream the Aquaponics operation as a bonus. Most Aquaponics systems try to balance fish and plants and I find that limiting.

Build it for the fish and the plants will grow!

Hey guys,

I just posted that I have a 2hp Kasco Aerator, 230v with 100' cord that I had to repo from a never paying customer. It has been serviced by Greg Grimes and I want to off load it to pay the credit card down...$1200 obo. If you know anyone. Thanks!

A 2 hp would be too big for my 1/10th acre ponds. The turbulence would make them a mudhole. My 1/2 hp. is almost too big.

For the emergency aeration as in just recently the 1/2 h.p. is all I need.

Would you like me to advertise it on three aquaculture list serves I belong to. It would be the Midwest east to Ohio though.

BTW I only ran my Kasco for a few days in both ponds that have fish and pulled it. It created a big enough opening and we'd had a sufficient thaw that winterkill is not a concern anymore. On top of that the ice is in really bad shape now. If the temps would stay this way for four or five more days it would be gone. However what is left will linger a little longer but the ice and snow cover is no longer a threat.