Benefits Of Surface Aeration

Surface Aeration is desirable when a pond or lake does not exceed 5' to 6' in depth. A pond fountain or pond aerator for surface aeration when used for a pond or lake is achieved by use of mechanical devices. This would include our AquaMaster® floating pond fountains or AquaMaster® high oxygen aerator agitators. These aerators for ponds and lakes are designed to "throw" water into the air thus capturing additional oxygen as it splashes back onto the surface of the water. Waves created in your pond or lake by this type of pond aeration is also beneficial at displacing surface algae. Pond fountain and pond aerator agitator type surface aeration systems have been proven to increase oxygen levels in a matter of hours after installation.

Surface aerators are generally classified into two categories Floating Pond Fountains which are designed to provide both aesthetic appeal and effective surface aeration. And second Floating High Oxygen Aerators which are generally described as "for aeration demands alone". Depending on your specific needs, both a pond fountain or pond aerator/agitator will provide excellent aeration and increase oxygen levels in shallower bodies of water.

All of our pond fountains and pond aerators are designed to simply float on the surface of the water. This means there is no plumbing or difficult installation procedures to follow. No need to hire a contractor to install these pond fountains and pond aerators. Most units are installed in your lake or pond in less than an hour. AquaMaster® pond and lake aerators are proudly Made In The USA!

Remember, we are happy to assist you in custom building your AquaMaster® pond or lake fountain.

More about surface aeration:
We know that people need oxygen to live. We also know that plants need oxygen for healthy growth. But did you know that ponds and lakes need oxygen almost as much? That's because oxygen is vital not only to fish, but also to the ecological processes that protect water quality and keep it clear. Plants, wind, rain, waves - all of these add oxygen to the water. But sometimes these are not enough to stop a pond or lake from deteriorating. Installing an aeration system is often the best way to give a pond the oxygen it needs to maintain water quality and reduce algae.

Pond aerators work either by pumping compressed air into and through the water, or by agitating the water surface. As water moves across the surface, it grabs oxygen from the air and releases harmful gases at the same time. Using an aeration system in a pond or lake can help maintain the overall health and quality in a number of different ways. First of all, if a pond or lake contains fish, aeration is essential. Aerated ponds and lakes can support greater concentrations of fish and can literally give them more "room to breathe" by circulating water to eliminate thermal stratification. In a stratified pond, the upper, warmer layer can become oxygen saturated while the lower, bottom layer lacks oxygen. This can greatly stress fish and cause fish kill. Stirring up the layers through aeration can distribute a healthy amount of oxygen throughout the lake or pond. As the water moves around, it helps even out the temperature and the oxygen concentration." Aeration in ponds and lakes also provides the oxygen necessary for aerobic digestion of algae, ammonia, and nitrites. Bacteria aid in the decomposition of fish waste, debris, and other organic matter; adding oxygen encourages this process. This protects fish health and helps prevent dead organisms from accumulating as sludge in the lake or pond bottom. It also helps eliminate pond odors. In addition to improving the chemical balance of the pond or lake, circulating water can also push certain kinds of algae to the sides of the pond where they can be more easily removed. It can help control mosquito larvae as well, because mosquitoes do not breed as freely in moving water.

In some climates, pond and lake aeration provides enough movement to keep the water from freezing in winter months and prevents winter fish kill by keeping the water oxygenated. Winter is a critical time for pond and lake health because a pond or lake that is frozen over is deprived of the oxygen it would normally get due to lack of sunlight penetrating the snow covered ice. Keeping a hole in the surface ensures that the pond has continued access to oxygen throughout the winter. The open water also helps provide a protected area for waterfowl. There are several types of pone and lake aerators, and choosing the right one depends on the specifications of the pond or lake itself, the conditions you are treating, and the aesthetic look a homeowner desires. You need to take a variety of factors into account when you're deciding on equipment and design. These include the surface area, depth, shape, present water quality, and water source. You also need to factor in the environment the pond or lake is in and the run-off that affects it. Another important factor to consider is what the pond or lake will be used for. Is
it a fish pond or a swimming pond or lake, or is it just for decoration? You have to pay attention to the goals. Are you primarily looking for the aesthetics of a floating fountain, or are they looking for water quality improvement?

Choosing the right aerator surface or sub-surface:
For clients who are looking for form as well as function a Floating Pond Fountain can offer the best of both worlds. Floating pond fountain systems float on the surface and provide a fountain display in addition to aeration. Display aerators offer a wide variety of spray patterns from subtle to majestic. They add curb appeal and charm to the landscape while helping to improve pond health. Floating surface pond and lake aerator/agitators also float on top of the water but mix the surface water with a boiling effect instead of providing a display pattern. These Floating High Oxygen Aerators are an excellent choice when clients prefer a low-profile aerator and where a high oxygen transfer rate is required. Compressed air systems are shore-mounted units that pump oxygen into the water through tubing. Sub-Surface Bottom Aeration Systems have the capability to cover large areas economically, while not disturbing the natural aquatic landscape. They are uniquely beneficial in larger, deeper ponds and lakes in that they “lift” un-oxygenated water out of the deeper portions of the lake or pond and mix it with the oxygen rich water at the surface. There is no electricity in the water and these units do not need to be removed for the winter months. Choosing the right aerator for the application is obviously critical. "For example, if a pond or lake has a severe algae problem, you need to look beyond aesthetics. A pond fountain isn't the most efficient aerator for water quality management. A lot of the energy they use is going into the spray pattern instead of into efficient aeration. Aerator placement is also important. If the pond or lake is round it makes sense to aerate in the center. But if the pond is irregular or kidney shaped, you need to pay attention to the danger areas. In a kidney shaped pond or lake, if you put the aerator in the middle, there will be dead zones at the edges. It would be better to place one unit at each lobe.

An aeration system for your pond or lake is an investment, sometimes a big one. But it can protect an even bigger investment by ensuring a long and healthy life for the pond and the fish.

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