#ponds #aeration #solar
Installing a solar powered pond aerator. We install the pond aerator in hopes of clearing the green algae in the large pond water. This aeration system comes in three pieces, the solar panel has the air pumps mounted on the back of the panel, and the air stone or diffuser attaches to the pumps with an air compressor hose. No electricity is needed to run this aerator set-up. Before and after video was taken to show if this bubbler system will clear the pond water. This do it yourself DIY unit is easy to install. The hose connects to the brass fitting on the air pump, and the diffuser attaches to the house through galvanized fittings. The diffuser comes with a 2.5 pound weight that holds it to the bottom of the pond. It is best to try and get your diffuser to the deepest part of your pond for maximum effectiveness of cleaning the pond water.
The way this aerator works is the air is sent to the bottom of the pond and released. The air rises to the surface of the pond and brings with it the cold, nutrient rich water from the bottom of the pond that is rich in organic matter, but low in oxygen. This nutrient rich (dirty) water is then given oxygen and sunlight to help break down the organic matter. The rising of the bubbles creates a current in the pond. The vertical current moves that cold stagnant water up to the surface where breakdown can occur and circulates the oxygen rich top layer of water down to the bottom. In ponds without aeration, the water is in layers like a thermocline. The top layer is warm water that has been warmed by the sun and it creates a layer that traps the cold water to the bottom of the pond. This bottom layer is where most of the pond muck, vegetation, and organic matter is decaying and breaking down. It takes oxygen to break down the organic matter and because of the lack of movement through the water column, the bottom layer becomes stagnant and oxygen depleted.
The pond aerator install fixes that and breaks up the layers of the water. Air rises from the bottom of the pond and brings with it the cold oxygen depleted water and mixes it with the warm oxygen rich water above. After a short time the entire large pond is mixed and turned over. Through time the oxygen now at the bottom of the pond goes to work breaking down the organic matter on the pond bottom and improving the quality of the pond water.
This solar panel system even makes air on cloudy days. The clouds do not decrease the aeration systems output. The nice thing with the solar pond set-up is there are no batteries, wires or anything to store. Just the solar panel on the post mounted at the shore of the pond. The system removed the string and floating algae from this pond in about two weeks. The fish in the pond will be happier and healthier with oxygen rich water. We hope to continue to grow our fish and minnows and baitfish in this clean and clear pond for many years to come.