Pond aerators, air pumps, or air compressors are typically required to provide oxygen throughout any pond. It is vital to have a healthy pond, especially during the summer months when the fish depend on the oxygen that the aeration system offers. While during cooler months, the aeration system will prevent the pond from freezing over solid providing an opening hole for the toxic gasses to escape. Many kinds of pond aeration systems are available, but the major categories are fountain aerators and diffused aeration systems. Let us have a closer look at them.
Three Types of Surface Aerators
Decorative Fountains—Decorative display fountain aerators are chosen when the person needs a decorative aerator for their pond using a nozzle to create a display pattern. These floating water pumps have a nozzle and spray water up in the air. Typically, a decorative fountain kit will include multiple nozzles so you can change patterns when desired.This pond aeration system works by attaching each water molecule to the air molecules and bridging it down into the water when it lands. It works by sucking in water from the water that surrounds the pump. Some fountain pumps are available that are large enough to pull water in almost via a mini current. For ponds that are deeper than 7 feet, fountain surface aerators may not be the best choice. The pumps use impellers for added pressure and nozzles, both of which restrict flow compared to the other kind of surface aerators.
Aerating Fountains—Aerating fountains have one display, the “V” pattern, which is created by the pitch of the pump’s propeller, instead of an impeller. Less volume is restricted and flow is greater than with decorative fountains, thus providing more aeration.
Simple Surface Aerators—Simple surface aerators also use a propeller but there is no display at all except for large bubbles on the surface of the water. These provide the maximum aeration of all surface aerators.
Diffuser aerations systems (bottom aeration) provide an economical way of aerating ponds due to the low cost required to push air rather than pushing water through a pump. These are necessary when your pond is deeper than 7 feet, on average. A diffused pond aerator works through an air compressor, tubing, and a diffuser or air bubbler on the bottom. The aerator works by sucking in air through the air compressor placed on the shore or a nearby garage. The air is pushed through the hose and disperses into millions of tiny bubbles from the diffuser. The air diffuser is usually placed in the deepest part of the pond since it is the ideal spot as it allows the air that comes out of the diffuser to dissipate in the water body and throughout the pond, including the bottom and top. Usually a mere ¼ horsepower compressor will aerate a very large pond. The compressor is intended to be used 24 hours a day.
Apart from this, there are other pond aerators like windmill power-driven aerators, high-volume surface aerators, and solar-powered pond aerators. Windmill power-driven aerators are perfect for ponds thousands of feet away from electricity and are powered by the wind. High-volume surface aerators for large ponds and lakes are typically used when water is 7 feet deep or less. These high-volume aerators have floating water pumps that rapidly churn the water, thus adding air molecules to water.
Choosing the right size of pond aerator
For most aeration kits, the product description indicates the depth and size of the pond for which it is suitable. For most pond aerators, the product title or description suggests the pond size they are designed for. Each pond aerator kit usually comes with a given length of tubing, size of air diffuser, and air compressor. This enables the air compressor to provide the greatest amount of aeration with that specific length, tubing diameter, and air diffuser size. But avoid altering the length of the tubing and air diffuser as it would affect the performance of the air pump itself.
How much aeration do I need for my pond?
Kasco recommends:
| Pond Size | Decorative Fountain | Aerating Fountain | Aerator |
| ½ acre | 1 HP | ¾ HP | ½ HP |
| 1 acre | 2 HP | 1 ½ HP | 1 HP |
| 2 acre | 4 HP | 3 HP | 2 HP |
| 3 acre | 6 HP | 4.5 HP | 3 HP |
| 5 acre | 10 HP | 7.5 HP | 5 HP |
*Note that these recommendations are for Kasco surface aerators only. Different manufacturers have entirely different specifications. Remember to keep in mind total volume of water being expelled from the unit is what matters. Knowing the gallons per hour of a pump can help, but what really matters is how much the output volume is.
How to Calculate Pond Size
For surface aeration, you merely need to know surface acreage (length x width) You do not need to know depth. For bottom aeration you will need also to know depth to calculate acre feet. For easy pond size calculations, use our calculator.
Takeaway
Some pond aeration system providers also customize the kits for large ponds, Lagunas, lakes, and aquaculture systems. You may consult about the size, and shape of your pond, what type of fish you have, and the electricity with the provider.