Features to Look for When Shopping for a Pond Aerator

by Ringo Ladue April 26, 2020

Features to Look for When Shopping for a Pond Aerator

Having a pond as part of your outdoor living space adds beauty and a touch of serenity to your landscaping theme. While there are many options for size and shape, the one thing they all need is pond aeration.

In addition to the benefits a pond aerator provides in the water, there are systems available that also bring the water to life with movement and sound for the feel of a babbling brook in your backyard.

If you are looking for information on how to find the best pond aerator for your perfect setup, read on.

The Benefits Of A Pond Aerator

Aeration simply means mixing in oxygen with the water. This provides a health benefit for both the water and anything living in the pond.

Pond aeration pumps deliver dissolved oxygen into the pond water. The first benefit this has is reducing the amount of algae that forms. Algae is a microorganism that in small amounts is ok, but too much will make your pond look bad and is also harmful to fish.

If you do have fish in your pond, the excessive fish food and their waste will build up excessive levels of nitrogen. This is dangerous to the fish. Healthy fish need dissolved oxygen for the processing of their food.

The oxygen produced by your pond aerator is also crucial for any plants that you want to grow and thrive in your water oasis.

How To Choose The Right Aeration System

There is not a one size fits all pond aeration system. There are many factors involved when it comes to choosing the right one.

The first thing to consider is the size of the pond. Too much oxygen in the water can be just as harmful as too little. Here are some basic calculations to use in deciding the best pond aerator for the size of your pond.

Be sure to also take the depth and shape of the pond into consideration. If you customized your pond to have smaller sections or if it is deeper on one end, the oxygen needs will change.

Types Of Pond Aerators

There are a few aeration system options for you to choose from for your pond or small lake. While similar in function, there are some key advantages that bottom and surface aeration systems have over one another.

Bottom Diffused Aeration

Some argue that bottom aeration is the most effective way to move the water and increase oxygen levels.

The bottom of the pond is where everything ends up. The leftover fish food, fish waste, the leaves or other debris that has fallen into the water all find its way to the dark, cold depth of your pond. Over time, this will build up to a mucky, slimy mess.

Without movement, it will sit there and eventually rot and create a foul-smelling and ugly body of water that is unfit for any living thing.

The bottom diffused aerator literally breathes life into your pond by bringing all the bad-smelling gases to the surface and releases them into the air. Oxygen-rich molecules then make their way back into the water and the cycle begins again.

Also, having a bottom system allows the entire pond to be available for the fish to inhabit. This provides them the opportunity to live and thrive at all depths of the pond.

A bottom diffuser also helps in the winter by keeping plants alive under any ice covering that may form on the surface.

Pond Aerator Fountain

The pond fountain aerator system is sometimes the most popular partially because of its attractive looks compared to other aerators. These air pumps for pond aeration shoot water up into the air and have a cascading water fountain effect.

As the water is pulled from the pond, it sprays out into the air and falls back into the water after collecting more oxygen on its way back. This oxygen-rich water then sustains life to the upper portions of the pond.

Here is more information on a floating fountain aerator.

While a waterfall or fountain is certainly a lovely addition to your outdoor pond experience, it does limit the benefits. With lower horsepower fountains, the oxygen never makes it all the way to the bottom of the pond where the waste will still accumulate. The upper levels of your pond will be healthier, but deeper ponds may need a high horsepower fountain or another mode of pond aeration.

This system works best for shallow ponds with fewer fish or plants requiring the dissolved oxygen water.

Surface Aerators

Surface aerators are a reliable option that circulates a large volume of water for maximum benefit. This system has a pump that is mounted on a floating device and placed in the pond, it then floats on the surface of the pond.

This is a low-profile option with minimal water disturbance, but it maintains the overall health of the pond and helps break down the sludge at the bottom.

They require very little maintenance while still providing outstanding oxygen transfer.

In addition to ponds and lakes, surface aerators are also used in lagoons and wastewater treatment plants

For large ponds or ponds without electric supply, there are solar surface aeration systems that are powered by the sun.

The Best Fish For Aerated Ponds

The first fish that probably comes to mind is the goldfish! They are one of the most popular and easy to care for fish for your pond.

Not only are they beautiful to look at, but they are also inexpensive to purchase and maintain. They also have a long life expectancy and can live up to 30 years and grow up to 14". Goldfish thrive better in at least 40 inches of water.

If you want to investigate other varieties of fish for your pond, here is a great place to start.

Your Beautiful Pond

The design possibilities are endless when it comes to your outdoor pond. You can have a sprawling oasis with a fountain or waterfall, or a simple layout with a bench to sit and relax after a long day.

Regardless of which style you choose, make sure you invest in a good quality pond aerator. The health of the pond and all of its inhabitants depend on a steady supply of oxygen.

If you want to take your love for water and the outdoors to the next level, you may want to explore inflatable kayaks.

For help with this or all of your water fun needs, reach out.

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