The Best Way To Aerate Your Pond

Pond and Lake Aeration Tips:

Without the use of a pond aerator your pond will become stagnant and smell bad, not to mention the algae or aquatic weed buildup and the stress your fish will go through because of lower oxygen levels. You need to move the water around and the best way to do that is with a pond aerator. It mixes a high volume of water with a propeller that is attached to a motor, while giving you a beautiful decorative fountain display.

Also, oxygen enters the pond by diffusing into the water from the atmosphere. Submerged aquatic plants also produce oxygen during the day, but this is not enough, especially in the hot summer months when the water is warmer. Decomposing fish waste and algae along with the normal respiration of aquatic life, depletes the oxygen faster than it can diffuse back into the water.

Your Pond requires aeration 24 hour a day, especially during the hot summer months. The warmer the water is, the less oxygen it can hold and you could loose your fish overnight. Lake aerators are the solution.

For small ponds, waterfalls and fountains help supplement an air pump system, but should not be the sole source of pond aeration. We strongly suggest you use an Air Pump and Air Stones to achieve total pond aeration from the bottom to the top regardless of depth.

In parts of the country where there are harsh winters, use a floating fountain pond aerator in addition to floating Pond Deicer that keeps a small area from freezing. This open area allows the naturally occurring gasses to escape and adds oxygen to the water.  Dormant fish still need oxygen under the ice. These units can be left in the water during the winter while the pond freezes around it. Then in the spring when the pond thaws, it is ready to turn on again.

So, if your fish are at the surface of the water and look like they are gasping for air, they probably are. Add a floating pond lake aerator and keep your pond clean and healthy.

These decorative floating aerators provide the perfect solution for improving water quality in fish ponds and lakes. It adds oxygen at the bottom of your lake or pond important for algae control.

For algae and aquatic weed maintenance, additives like natural beneficial bacteria and pond dye starve the algae so that it retards the growth and is safe for fish and the environment. 

Discount Pumps Offers Pond Fountains and Aerators For Healthier Ponds

Discount Pumps is a pond supply retailer, specializing in floating fountains, aerators and pond management supplies.

Pond Fountains

Enjoy the serenity you feel from a backyard pond, the looks and sounds in your pond environment, beautiful and serene yes, but in order to keep that, ponds and lakes need to be maintained. Whether you have a residential or commercial pond, the condition deteriorates without proper aeration. The lower levels of the pond will run out of oxygen first, which can result in the death of many living things like snails, worms, and microorganisms. These living things  are vital in keeping the pond’s balance. Ponds deeper than 6 feet with no aeration are not capable of producing enough oxygen. A pond aerator or pond fountains can resolve this issue by providing the necessary oxygen to beneficial bacteria which promotes a healthy, vital aquatic environment.

 

Pond Aerator

To maximize your pond’s aeration, the pond aerator you select needs to be the correct size and have the proper features to do the job. We have helpful charts to aid our customer’s selection process in choosing the correct aerator for their ponds. Discount Pumps has a variety of pond aerators and decorative pond fountains styles and sizes to choose from, including display pond aerator systems, diffused aeration systems, high-oxygen surface aerators and floating pond fountains.

What is the difference between pond fountains and an pond aerator?

What is the difference between a pond fountains and an pond aerator?

Pond Fountains

Pond Fountains mainly have just one use, and that is aesthetics although it does aerate some because it moves and mixes the water around. These spray patterns have 2 or 3 tiers that are very tall and wide, so more decorative. On the other hand a decorative Pond Aerator has two purposes, they aerate a much larger volume of water but also have a decorative spray pattern that is thicker but is only the plume shape that you often see. That is because there is no nozzle. The water is pushed up and around a disk in unit.

Pond Aerator

Aeration is essential:

Proper aeration is essential for the health of your pond or lake.

• Aeration improves water balance and clarity
• Aeration is the main way to prevent fish kills
• Aeration helps support fish and micro organisms 
• Aeration helps to control the growth of weeds and algae
• Pond Fountains or pond aerator typically adds value to your property

Pond Fountains are a great form of aeration. Another option is the use of an sub surface aeration system. Although sub surface systems have lower electrical costs than pond fountains, they offer little aesthetic value because most of the aeration process takes place under the water.

Transform your property into a resort!!

Transform your property into a resort:

Fresh grass, flowers or other plants, rocks and decorative hardscapes are great way to increase your outdoor environment. For home owners that have ponds on their property, should maybe consider a pond fountains or pond aerator. Not only will it increase the property value but also create a healthier pond and outdoor environment.

Pond Fountains at a Resort

Your backyard area should reflect your lifestyle. It’s not just some place to store the outdoor grill and bicycles. It is a place to go to relax with the family and friends. Choose backyard projects that will change  your outdoor space into your family’s fun hangout spot.

• Add natural accents. Use natural materials to add to your space. Wooden swings and stone pathways can set a whimsical tone for the rest of your design ideas. Opt for naturally pest- and rot-resistant local wood varieties.
• Add bird friendly items. Birds are a great way to interact with nature, and they can help control pests in your garden. Start by landscaping with the native nut-, fruit- and seed-bearing plants preferred by your local birds. Install birdhouses on poles. They protect birds better than tree-mounted boxes. Incorporate a birdbath or garden pond into your design. Add decals or screens to back windows to protect birds from injuries. Be sure to provide seed in cold weather, when birds’ natural food sources may be low.
• Create a butterfly garden. Butterfly-friendly gardens will help pollinate your flowers and reduce the need for pesticides. Add plants that butterflies are attracted to. Also, incorporate plants that provide a larvae habitat.

If you desire peace and quiet. Your backyard resort might include a gazebo shading a couple of luxurious lounge chairs. Hang bird feeders nearby so you can listen to their calming chirps as you indulge in your favorite summer reads. Ad flowering plants and shrubs. Pick up some prepared summer salads and fresh fruit at the supermarket so you don’t have to worry about cooking. Sip on refreshing iced tea or chilled fruit-infused water. Close your eyes and imagine you are being pampered at your dream spa. 

Pond Fountains at a Golf Course

Once you’ve transformed your backyard into your resort destination, the most important thing to remember is to mentally “go on vacation” each time you open your back door. Take care of the chores and projects ahead of time. Then spend time outside and make some lasting memories with family and friends.

For more tips on transforming your pond area, check out our blog page at Discount Pumps

Evaporation in Ponds, Streams, Waterfalls and Fountains

Evaporation in Ponds and Lakes from Floating Fountains

A general rule to follow is that most water features will lose about 1 inch per week from evaporation.

Any time you splash water in the air there will be some type of evaporation. How much depends on many factors including:

·         Difference between air and water temperature

·         Wind

·         Sun vs clouds

·         Fall (height of pattern)

·         Droplet size and more…..

All decorative pond aerators or pond fountains that splash at the surface will have the most evaporation. Surface aerators that just bubble and circulate will give the lowest percentage of evaporation per (gallons per minute)

Aeration with the least amount of evaporation

HOWEVER, when there is a water feature with a lower pond and a stream or waterfall above it, there are many variables involved besides just looking at the lower pond and measuring the loss. Here is an example: An upper pond 6´ x 8´, a stream that is 15´ long and about 1´ wide of flowing water, and a lower pond that is about 10´ x 10´. If the calculation is actually one inch of evaporation it would work out to be:

Lower Pond Area: 10´ x 10´ = 100 sq. ft., x 1/12 ft. deep = 8.33 cu. ft. x 7.4805 gal./cu. ft. = 62.3 gallons.

Flowing Stream: 15´ x 1´ = 15 sq. ft., x 1/12 ft. deep = 1.25 cu. ft. x 7.4805 gal./cu. ft. = 9.35 gallons.

Upper Pond Area: 6´ x 8´ = 48 sq. ft., x 1/12 ft. deep = 4 cu. ft. x 7.4805 gal./cu. ft. = 29.2 gallons.

So now there is a total evaporation of 100.85 gallons. But this only affects the level in the lower pond, since the pump is replenishing the upper pond and streambed full of water. Therefore, 100.85 gallons divided by 7.4805 = 13.37 cu. ft. divided by 100 sq. ft. = .13 x 12 in./ft. = 1.6 inches of actual drop in the lower pond for each 1 inch of actual evaporation in the entire pond, stream and waterfall area.

Surface Aerator with very little evaporation

Now we have to add some real variable into the equation, this is the “splash factor” in the streambed and also the waterfall. If it is a very hot summer day and the water is splashing small droplets onto a hot rocks, it will immediately evaporate rather than run back into the stream. Some, naturally, may actually splash completely out of the stream bed. And, do not forget the occasional deer or other animal drinking at night, or neighborhood kids playing, or the large dog taking a swim and taking water out with him.

Also, a hot day with low humidity will obviously have a different evaporation rate compared with a cold and damp day. All of these variables play a role in the evaporation rate. For more helpful pond tips visit Discount Pumps.

Decorative Pond Aerator

Decorative Pond Fountains