Choosing The Best Pond Aerator
Selecting the appropriate aeration system for your pond may seem a bit overwhelming. There are multiple ways to aerate your pond. Beyond that, there are many brands and sizes to select from. Let's start with the basics!
Bottom Diffused Aeration
Using this style of aeration, a shoreline air pump pushes compressed air through diffuser plates that sit at the pond bottom. By forcing air to the pond bottom, the pond aeration system circulates and aerates the entire body of water. Some of the aeration occurs as the fine bubbles rise through the pond water and oxygen dissolves into the water. The majority of the gas exchange and aerations happens at the surface. Rising columns of fine bubbles move pond water from the bottom to the surface where gas exchanges happens on a large scale. Bottom aeration is ideal for ponds of all shapes and sizes.
Surface Pond Aeration
This involves a submersible pump motor attached to a float anchored in the pond. As the motor pushes high volumes of water into the air, this circulates and aerates pond water. Most surface aerators circulate water from the top 4-6 feet of the pond and do not effectively aerate deeper ponds. Surface aeration is ideal for ponds with water depth of 6 feet or less or as a supplement to a bottom aeration system.
Electric Powered Bottom Aeration
- Most common aeration choice
- Improves oxygen levels throughout entire pond
- Easy to install
- Low Maintenance
- Can operate all year long, regardless of climate
Solar Powered Bottom Aeration
- Best alternative for ponds without power
- Low Maintenance
- Operates during day light hours all year long
Windmill Aeration
- Alternative energy solution
- Low maintenance
- Operates during windy conditions
Surface Aerator
- Produces high volumes of dissolved oxygen during hours of operation
- Great for wastewater applications, aquaculture, and other industrial uses
- Excellent choice for shallow water ponds
- Easy to install
Floating Fountain
- Produces oxygen while creating a dramatic display
- Good for pond owners looking for aeration and aesthetic improvement
- Larger units require professional installation
Once you've decided on the style of aeration you wish to install, properly sizing a system is the next step. Sizing is based on the surface area of the pond, the average depth, and the shape of the pond.