Oxygen is the most crucial element when taking care of your pond or lake. A healthy pond must contain aeration to promote that thriving energy for your pond life. Moreover, it will also help to keep the waters crystal clear and clean. But, you may be wondering: how does it work? This article will cover the ins and outs of boosting your oxygen levels with an aeration setup.
The Aeration Process
Understanding the benefits of proper aeration goes hand in hand with knowing how the process works. The primary purpose of aeration is to have a balance of oxygen levels in your pond. Little to no oxygen in a large body of water can be detrimental to pond life, including fish. Without any oxygen, your fish will surely die off with time. A full aeration flow can also help break down excess nutrients that cause bad bacteria. Aeration systems are built according to the size and area of the body of water. You’ll also have various aeration systems to choose from on the market. You could find floating pond fountains, bottom pond aerators, solar-powered, and much more. Whatever you decide, you want an aerator that can move enough gallons of water per minute for your pond.
Increasing Your Oxygen Levels
A small pond can benefit from a decorative floating fountain. However, if you have a large pond and surface area to cover, you may need to invest in either a large, bottom-diffused aerator or multiple smaller aeration systems. To get the most out of your aerator, you want to get the correct type of aeration system. Bottom pond diffusers break down the muck that forms deep in the waters. The diffuser sits right at the bottom. On the other hand, a surface pond aerator works by sending drops of water into the air, creating a beautiful display in the process. As the water drops back into the pond, it creates a ripple effect throughout the surface.
Preventing Pond Muck
Why is a boost in oxygen significant? In short, you don’t want to give bad bacteria a chance to form. In addition, with time, stagnant water can become murky as a collection of weeds, fish waste, algae, and other types of debris result in pond muck. This can be pretty apparent as murky water, clumps of slimy green algae growing across the surface, and a foul odor. The excessive formation of muck can suffocate your fish. It also creates a dirty and even hazardous environment around the pond. However, with the proper oxygen boost, you’ll be able to keep your pond clean and clear from this muck.
The Different Types of Aeration Systems
You can find an aeration system that best fits your needs. If you live out in an open area, you could benefit from a solar-powered or wind-powered aerator. An electrical aerator works best if your pond is where trees obstruct it. In this case, a wind-powered alternative would not work. Likewise, a solar-powered aerator would be ideal if you live in a warmer climate with the abundant sun. Otherwise, you won’t be getting sufficient power to aerate your pond. Depending on the size of your pond and it’s aeration needs, Air-O-Lator has surface aerators from ½ horsepower up to 20 horsepower. We are the industry leader in surface aeration and can help you pick the perfect aeration system no matter the size of your lake or pond.
