Bill do you mind if I print this out and use it in my management reports.
You said that so much better than I ever have. I get that question of surface aerator vs. bottom diffuser about once a month or more.
One point I wanted to make though is in fairly small ponds less than 1/2 acre fairly shallow (8 feet or less) I have seen the lake not become stratified after the introduction of the surface aerator. I've also seen times where there would have been massive fish kills that were prevented by having the aerator in place. Aerators at times "fit the bill".
