Solutions for Aeration

Why Aeration Makes Sense

Lakes and ponds are living environments.  Fish require oxygen just as humans do.  Their oxygen, however, must be obtained from the water.  Water in rivers and oceans is naturally aerated by its movement and thus support an abundance of fish life.

Lakes and ponds, however, tend to be stagnant.  Stagnant water can mean dead water.  Getting water turned over from top to bottom with aerators that mix while aerating will introduce oxygen uniformly throughout the water column.  Fish will consume oxygen from ponds as will bacteria.  Supplying additional oxygen maintains DO making regular water management a much less complicated task.

Oxygen Management Techniques that Work

Before discussing mechanical aeration, it is imperative to understand some simple principals of oxygen management.  These are simple steps that can be taken to improve the environment of the pond and reduce reliance on mechanical aeration.

Maintaining a buffer strip around a pond is highly recommended.  Not only does this strengthen the pond banks, it can prevent contamination of the pond by run-off.  Reducing the amount of external organic matter that is allowed to enter the water table is a crucial part of oxygen management.

Maintain control of sludge levels.  This can be done with periodic dosing using Orb-3 Sludge Control Products.  Applying an appropriate amount of enzymes, bacteria or pellets in key areas around the pond can help to eliminate nutrients that fertilize algae and plant life that often choke a water body.
 
Monitor fish feeding carefully.  Excess feeding can result in fertilized water which will in turn result in algal bloom or rapid growth of underwater plants.  The first goal of oxygen management is to decrease the contamination level of the lake or pond.  This can be achieved by eliminating anything that can have a negative impact on natural aeration.

Proper water chemistry testing equipment provides the final practical measure that can be taken to manage oxygen levels prior to adding mechanical aeration.  In some cases, these techniques are only partially effective, and that is when adding mechanical aeration becomes necessary.

Don't Be Afraid of Mechanical Aeration

Mechanical aeration offers many benefits on water quality and with costs cheaper than most people would imagine.  High quality aeration equipment eliminates dead spots from a water body and keeps it moving.  This is particularly beneficial when bio-augmentation products are being used as it will allow the bacteria and enzymes to circulate throughout the pond.  Though bacteria are living organisms, they do not swim.  Instead, they rely on currents to carry them through water.  In the absence of natural currents, aeration provides the movement that the bacteria need to be able to stay in contact with the contaminants that we want them to consume.

Benefits for Enzymes and Bacteria

Other than facilitating movement, aeration offers lake and pond owners a number of other substantial benefits when it comes to using natural treatment products such as enzymes and bacteria.  The presence of oxygen in the water will speed the catalytic action of enzymes and allow both indigenous and augmented bacteria to function at their peak level of performance aerobically.  When enzymes and bacteria are stimulated aerobically, they consume and eliminate organic contaminants from a water body.  Without oxygen, however, bacteria will not be able to cleanse a lake or pond.

Benefits for Fish

The amount of oxygen that is contained in a lake or pond is not static.  Oxygen can become depleted by the living organisms in the water.  In the worst case scenario, oxygen can be depleted so far that the fish begin to asphyxiate and die.  Before the problems reach that stage, however, fish will be close to the surface signaling that they are uncomfortable and need more oxygen.  Correctly designed aeration systems ensure an abundant supply of oxygen and mixing.  This allows for a greater volume of water that can support a more active and healthy fish population.

Good for all Sizes

Aeration equipment comes in a range of sizes and types but there are three main components to an aeration system:

• Air is produced by an air pump or compressor.  Units that are used for lake and pond aeration should produce air that is oil-free.  Oil can foul the delivery system and can become a problem for fish. 

• The second part to consider is the delivery system which can include a range of flexible hose and fixed manifold options.  The best choice will include self sinking hose or weighted poly airline and a heat resistant manifold.  The delivery system should be constructed of high quality and durable materials.

• The final component is perhaps the most important, the diffuser.  The purpose of a diffuser is to produce small bubbles.  Small bubbles give the best effects since they rise through the water more slowly than large bubbles.  In addition, small bubbles have more surface area so the result is more oxygen in the water for a greater length of time than by simply bubbling water through a hose.  An efficiently designed diffuser also maximizes the turn over rate of the water in a lake or pond.  A good quality diffuser can make an important difference to the quality of the water and to the ease of maintenance.

Choosing Aeration Equipment

With aeration equipment there are some types that are better suited to lakes and ponds than others.  It is best to avoid equipment that makes the water turbulent.  It might appear that such equipment is effective but in fact, it disturbs the bottom of the lake or pond and can create additional water clarity and nutrient problems.

System design is also crucial to proper oxygenation.  It is important to consider depth, side slope, the shape of the lake or pond, location of an in flowing or out flowing water, beaches or docks as well as the fish or plant life.  Correct system design allows for thorough and systematic aeration of the entire water body.

The key to aeration is laminar movement.  This is a free flowing movement of water without turbulence.  This free flow allows for additional natural aeration to take place.  It will not disturb the bottom of the lake or pond yet will allow bacteria and enzymes to be dispersed where they are needed.  Laminar flow will aerate by pulling dead water off of the bottom and bringing it to the surface similarly to the way a lake or pond circulates itself seasonally without the risk of hot spots.

It is important to consider all pond needs when choosing an aeration system.   A high quality, cost effective and easy to maintain line of aeration equipment is invaluable.  Aeration equipment is available in different sizes to suit applications ranging from the home garden pond to larger lakes or ponds to commercial lagoons and aquaculture applications.  Look for a company that offers products designed with ease of use, simple maintenance and eco-friendly energy efficiency in mind.

A Cleaner, Healthier Lake and Pond Environment

The combination of efficient aerators, Orb-3 Enzyme and Bacteria Products and natural oxygen management techniques will help you maintain a clean and odor free pond that is healthy for fish and aquatic plant life and is a joy to own.  These products will help you to achieve professional results whether you keep your lake or pond for profit or for pleasure.

MixAir Technologies, a sister company to Great Lakes Bio Systems, manufactures energy efficient fine bubble aeration systems for the Lake & Pond environment. MixAir Tech diffusers are available in a variety of designs to accomodate numerous types of installations.  For more information about MixAir Technologies or Great Lakes Bio Systems, please contact us or complete our Orb-3 Lake & Pond Questionnaire to provide us with more details about how we may be able to assist you.

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