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Maybe it’s simply because of the brutal weather we’ve had this year with temps running so high you could cook an egg on a sidewalk in Iowa of all places, but we’ve gotten more questions on pond aeration than ever before. Watch the video above to learn more.
In truth, aeration isn’t a complex subject by any means but let’s face the facts, most aerators represent a decent investment for a pond owner and that goes for both small and large waters. A dollar is a dollar and you want to make sure it’s well spent.
And I have always tried to be upfront and honest about this but there was a time when I wasn’t so sure they were the thing to recommend. But I’ve learned a lot in the last 10 years and now feel that they represent one of the best investments a pond owner can make.
There is really nothing that has the impact, holistically, that an aerator does. With high dissolved oxygen levels a lot more is possible in terms of natural biological cleansing and balancing. It all just works better throughout the seasons. And without it ponds get stagnant, stinky, scummy and, dare I say it, algae prone.
And let’s not forget the fish.
I can’t say I ever wanted to come back as a fish in another life…but I darned sure would avoid it if every year was this hot. After months of drought and super high temps fish are still dying in ponds across the country and stories are hitting the news stands almost daily now. It’s a tough time to live in the water, assuming there’s water left to live in.
Aeration is the one thing I know of that will actually help to protect and save fish from low DO (dissolved oxygen) and this is common in the summer time. Aerating a pond has saved many of the largest fish and will continue to do so if it’s used consistently.
In the end, after all the units that we’ve sold, I can’t think of one person that has ever came back to me and said it was a bad investment. If it does it’s job, you won’t have much to complain about, other than your ice melting too fast in your lemonade.
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Hi
I have a small 200 gal pond w/ a water fall and 6 fish. I have had this pond for about 5yrs.
I also have some water hyacinth covering about 10 to 15% of the surface ( 3 to 5 plants)
Is the water fall adequate enough oxygen supply?
Not sure if I need aeration as well (even in on a small scale). I see the fish up at the water fall at dusk and assume thye’re looking for oxygen as thats when 02 is at its least at night ( I think)
Would you use a small pond aerator in the winter in new england?
I use a small ring like heater to clear an aerway in the ice.
Wondering if an areator could replace the heat ring to keep hole in the ice?
Thanks
Bob
Hi Bob,
Some of this is guesswork, no doubt about it. But you have to go by what you see, and if the fish seem to be having some issues, aeration would be a place to start. It’s simple to do, and not really expensive and it always helps in some ways. As well, and you noted, it can work in summer and also help with ice in winter. It may not help if things get really, really brutally cold, and a heater would still come in handy but for most winter days I think air would be useful. Mostly though we would use it in the summer months to help protect fish. You might also check water chemistry, just to see if any ammonia levels can be detected but by your description it’s probably an oxygen issue. Waterfalls aren’t always enough in every case.
All the best,
Mark