Aeration Is Key
Waterfalls Are Not Enough...
Supplement and You'll See!
Even if your waterfall is large, it's only aerating where it directly breaks the surface of the water. Your pond needs oxygen throughout the water column to stay healthy... that's where an aerator comes in.
It's important that there's oxygen throughout the water column, not just at the surface where your waterfall churns the water. An aerator sends little bubbles to the bottom of the pond. As the bubbles rise from the aerator plate or stone, they spread out, circulating that oxygen throughout the pond.
Of course aeration is good for your fish also. It's especially good for them in really hot weather when the water doesn't hold oxygen as well. You'll see them more active and hanging out in the air bubbles.
It's important to have one sized appropriately for your pond. Get one that is too small and it won't do the job; buy one too large and you disturb the water so violently that you will never see your fish.
In the summer the air stones or aerator plate should be at the deepest area of the pond. (Make sure your aerator is sized appropriately to be that deep.) We are happy to size your aerator for you at Cool Ponds.
In the winter, the air stones or aeration plate should be brought to the surface. Read more about setting a "winter airline" here. It's also important that the air compressor be protected from weather. A fake rock with air holes works well to keep it protected and camouflaged at the same time.
You won't be disappointed by the results if you add an aerator to your pond.
Supplement and You'll See!
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| Even though this pond has waterfalls fueled by pumps running approximately 20,000 gallons per hour, it is well aerated also. You can see the white columns of air under the water in the upper right quadrant of this photo. |
It is very common for people to think their waterfall is enough aeration for their pond. More often than not, however, it's not.
Even if your waterfall is large, it's only aerating where it directly breaks the surface of the water. Your pond needs oxygen throughout the water column to stay healthy... that's where an aerator comes in.
So why is aeration so important?
Beneficial bacteria in your pond keeps the water clear, clean, and healthy. Without it, your pond would be a green, dark, smelly mess that nothing could live in. Can you picture it in your mind? Yes, if there's beneficial bacteria there's also bad bacteria and that's what that horrible smell is in the bottom of your pond when you're cleaning it. Fortunately, the beneficial bacterial keeps it in check and from taking over. The beneficial bacteria also competes with algae for food, starving it. |
| This is the beneficial bacteria we use. It's called BioClear and Clean. |
Beneficial bacteria is aerobic bacteria meaning it needs oxygen to live and thrive. The more oxygen it gets, the more it can reproduce, keeping your pond even cleaner.
It's important that there's oxygen throughout the water column, not just at the surface where your waterfall churns the water. An aerator sends little bubbles to the bottom of the pond. As the bubbles rise from the aerator plate or stone, they spread out, circulating that oxygen throughout the pond.
Of course aeration is good for your fish also. It's especially good for them in really hot weather when the water doesn't hold oxygen as well. You'll see them more active and hanging out in the air bubbles.
What is an aerator?
Aerators come in many different sizes and styles. The air compressor for the aerator sits outside the pond. Tubes from the air compressor run to the bottom of the pond and are connected to air stones or an aeration plate. The compressor pumps air down and out through the air stones or air plate. See the diagram below.
It's important to have one sized appropriately for your pond. Get one that is too small and it won't do the job; buy one too large and you disturb the water so violently that you will never see your fish.
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| Air tubing, air compressor, and air stones. |
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| Air tubing, aeration plate, and air compressor. |
In the winter, the air stones or aeration plate should be brought to the surface. Read more about setting a "winter airline" here. It's also important that the air compressor be protected from weather. A fake rock with air holes works well to keep it protected and camouflaged at the same time.
You won't be disappointed by the results if you add an aerator to your pond.
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