Pond Boss Forums AERATION Should I aerate? Homemade Fountain

I have a new 2 acre pond that has not filled yet. Because of the $$ factor I could not even think about aeration systems. I have decided to make a homemade fountain out of a new industrial 3/4 hp sump pump suspended about a foot off the bottom of the pond. PVC pipe will extended to the surface for the fountain effect. Will this do anything for aeration in this pond? I have this pump placed in about 6 feet of water. Is this a good idea?

It's better than nothing, but with a well designed bottom diffusion aeration system, you will be turning the whole pond volume of water over a couple times a day. Do the calculations and you will see just how many gallons of water that is.

It's not the air bubbles adding O2, it's getting the water in contact with the air at the surface that does the majority of the work.

Thanks for the info. Would it be better to let the water spray into the air (ie. a fountain) or not bring the PVC pipe to the surface and let the water just boil up from the outlet hole in the pump..... if that makes any sense?

Water spraying in the air = quicker water evaporation. It could also mean more O2 transfer because the water surface area contacting the air is greater. Choices, choices.........

I agree with esshup, it is better then nothing but it is not going to do much for aeration. Let me just give you a comparison. A 1/4 HP Rocking Piston Compressor can displace approx. 600 to 800 gallons of water per minute using air. Imagine what size water pump you need to come close to moving that amount of water per minute. My recommendation would be to get either a Rotary Vane or Rocking Piston Compressor that can produce at least 4.5 CFM and a minimum of 2 diffusers.

These are the two systems that we sell the most of for ponds the same size as yours:

http://www.livingwateraeration.com/pa50w.html

http://www.livingwateraeration.com/ai12hpropipo.html

It's probably not based in fact or logic and I am no expert, but I wouldn't want anything electric in my water full-time. Over time is that sump pump going to slowly deteriorate from elements and/or critters? I know pond fountains probably all have electric, but to me fountains are mostly used in water that you look at, not water you are in. I suppose water parks have them too..but I just get nervous about electricity running in the pond I am fishing/swimming in with family, friends, and children. I had an employee electrocuted one Saturday morning in a small pond because ants had chewed thru some wiring. It was such a tragedy. I guess a GFI plug would certainly help. Let us know how it goes....