Pond Boss Forums AERATION Should I aerate? To aerate, and how to do it?

Hello all,
New member here, in midlands SC. Just bought a tract/home, with a potentially beautiful 1 acre deep pond. Fed by a couple of slow creeks, and there must be another spring source, as it stays full even in dry weather. Depth is more than my 16' tape measure, so not real sure, but lots of volume. PO were serious gardeners, so I suspect there may be some type of impact from 30 years of fertilizing everything up the hillside? There are confirmed very nice bluegill, some bass have been spotted, and plenty of sliders and mud turtles. Just bought the place, and want to go ahead and do everything I can to bring up the health of the pond. I am beginning to see patches (about a square foot) of a limey green algae, and it concerns me.
I have not tested, but I assume I have low DO. Clearly need to test. The banks of the pond have been let go for some years, so very grown up. I suspect plenty of muck on the bottom.

I have 240V at the pond, but only on demand from a sprinkler system 200 yards away at the house. LT plan would be to convert to a sub-panel and purchase a 240V aeration system, but I am trying to figure the ups and downs of current easy options.
Terrain is very rugged, and time is very limited, so getting a permanent system in now will be a challenge. Suppose I could just remove pond pump and swap for aeration system, since not irrigating from the pond right now? Use the sprinkler control box to cycle the aerator. I am reading to start very slowly; maybe 15 minutes per day? PO (deceased) left me an old garden hose under every pile of leaves in the woods; most are OK. Is there any benefit to using garage compressor and running air to the pond via about 10 garden hoses, through some type of diffuser? Could be an easy setup if it can work.

My objective is primarily to clean up, and clear up the pond, and ensure a healthy environment for bluegill, bass, and some catfish.

All feedback is greatly appreciated.

David in SC

Good evening,
First post has not drawn much getty-up, so I'll try again. I can see maybe doing a temp-to-permanent system with a true aeration pump set up 200 yards away in my garage. Run through black irrigation line down to end of pond, and then through proper sinking tubing and aerator. I can then bury the black pipe a little each day in the Winter in softer ground.

Can anyone recommend a system that may work well for a 1 acre pond with at least 12' depths? And, what size irrigation line would be best for said system?

Thank you,
David in SC

Welcome Moukie. Apologies I missed your first post.

moukie:

Check the Resource Guide for aeration vendors and dealers.

Personally, I have been running a Vertex system in two ponds (9' and 12' deep) for over 15 years with no problems. However, they are not the only manufacturer of aeration systems that would be able to handle your 12' deep pond with a 240v setup.

If your fish appear to have all sizes of BG 2" through 8" & several sizes of bass then the pond likely does not have previous low DO issues and the chances of fish kills are low due to low numbers of or rare low DO occurrences. The underground water flowing into the pond will likely keep water flowing to be helpful enough to minimize low DO conditions.

Idea - Gast brand rotary vane(RV) compressors 1/4hp have dual voltage ability 220 and 110 depending on how wiring is arranged. They run quieter compared to dual head rocking piston compressors. Could put compressor in a homemade shelter at the pond 240V. At 12 ft deep you do not need a compressor that normally operates more than 10psi; as your 12ft deep pond needs just 6psi.

Good morning,
Wife has me a nice early present coming; a nice aeration system. My plan is to disconnect the existing 240V water pump and swap for the air system. Pond has confirmed a few 2-3lb largemouth and some nice bream; nothing else that I know of. Water is very black from the Fall leaf drop.
We have cleaned up a large amount of the banks, so leaf fall will be less in the future. For now, I am sure there is plenty of muck on the bottom.

Is it recommended to go ahead and start with aeration now, or wait until the Spring warm-up? Thoughts are appreciated.

Hope all have a wonderful Thanksgiving week!

David in SC

What is your current water temperature?

Good question Theo Gallus. I will check next trip down, but I am guessing mid 50's based on recent temperature trends. I suspect the pond may get a solid layer of ice over it some time this Winter, but it will only last a few days.
We are a fairly warm climate near Greenville, SC

Thanks for the thoughts.

When fishing do a Relative Weight Survey for the fishes caught & keep good records. I did not & tried to improve & balance my pond, I wasted a lot of time & $$ doing the incorrect thing.You will get a good start at Pond Boss & good knowledgeable advice.

Merry Christmas Eve!

Safe to say the water is cold; ice around the fringes in places this AM. Priorities has pushed the installation of the aeration system out into Spring - maybe late Winter?

As a side note: Daughter and her BF threw a beetle spin in yesterday, using my old broken Zebco 33. He caught a small largemouth. She caught one of the largest bluegill I have ever seen. Both were released. Maybe my pond is healthier than I think?

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to All!

David in SC

Are you on Santa's Nice list this year?

If so, perhaps Santa came early!