Pond Boss Forums AERATION Should I aerate? to aerate or leave well enough alone!

I have been running a vertex system (compressor and three diffusers in two ponds) for 14 years with no maintenance and no trouble.

Theo,
Can I just put the compressor in barn and run say a 1 inch PVC line 350ft to the waters edge and then split it off at a manifold to 2 or 3 diffuser set ups on 1/2 or 5/8 weighted airline. probably cost less than running 230v and buying a cabinet for compressor etc. Also how loud is a 1/2hp rocking piston compressor compared to say a lg garage air compressor?

Yes. I run air a little over 600 feet to one pond (from a shed at the other pond) through 1" black plastic water line, and then select the deep water (Summer) or shallow water (Winter) outlet with 1" ball valves in a manifold clearly assembled by the Son/Grandson of plumbers. I switch from the 1" line to weighted airlines just inside the pond's shoreline.

I would ensure that the location in the barn was dust/dirt/vermin free (say with a sealed cabinet with filtered air input, if necessary).

I believe my aeration compressor is quieter than my tire compressor. (A cabinet with sound insulation would help that.)

Look at Thomas

If noise of a rocking piston is a concern in the garage in Indiana consider running the pump only at night. With your plan of diffusers and water depth running the pump 6-8 hours a night should be very adequate for turning over the deep water basin of your 1.2 acres. Consider upgrading from a 1/3 or 1/2hp to a 3/4hp that will provide more air volume and faster turnover.

Or build a cabinet and put sound deadening foam in it. Remember to put a fan in there that will suck fresh air through the cabinet to keep it cool. A cabinet with sound deadening foam is no louder than someone talking dB wise.

Bill, thanks for the info I was definetly considering going with 3/4 hp. the pump will be on the cement floor in corned of nice clean pole barn. if I think it is turning the place into a echo chamber I will build a case around it. I have a bunch of ventilated sofit boards I was thinking of using? where can one get a proper fan that will do the job and last at least a yr?
do i need a fan on it if I dont enclose it??

esshup,
thank you for the heads up on thomas compressors and insulation board for sound.
I am waiting on a fellow to get back from killing all the deer in the woods to get with me on plan and prices for stuff i will need.

Anytime. If you build an enclosure, it's better to have one entrance and a few exits on the opposite side so the fan blows air over the compressor. If the compressor is not in an enclosure, you don't really need a fan. You can help with some of the noise by putting it on rubber feet or on a piece of horse stall mat.