Choosing Between a Fountain or Aerator

Understanding the Differences Between Fountains and Aerators in Lakes & Ponds

Aeration is an important part of any pond’s ecosystem. Many ponds are troubled with low oxygen levels and stagnate water. Unless managed properly a pond or lake may quickly change from a beautiful asset to a foul smelling eye sore overtaken with algae, weeds and insects.

In today’s ever-increasing expansion and development many ponds and lakes have become runoff receptacles complete with nutrient rich sediment, aquatic weeds, algae and a multitude of other problematic concerns.

Regardless of runoff and debris coming into your waterway, natural processes such as photosynthesis can cause weeds and algae to bloom. This process is increased with additional organic and synthetic nutrients, low oxygen levels, warmer water temps., and poor circulation.

Surface Aeration Versus Bottom Up Aeration

Both styles of Aeration provide:

  • Higher levels of oxygen
  • Healthy Circulated Waterways
  • Cleaner- more algae and weed free
  • Reduction or elimination of odor
  • Larger healthier fish population

A fountain provides:

  • A beautiful landscape during the day as well as night if lights are added.
  • Surface disturbance control duckweed and watermeal.
  • Sound of water moving.

A forced air system / diffused air system or bubbler provides:

  • Lower cost alternative to a fountain.
  • Less maintenance, left in all season.
  • Water movement and aeration at very bottom.
  • Leaves natural look of waterway.
  • Breaks down and reduces bottom muck/sludge.
  • Aerates entire water body.

Support larger fish populations: By maintaining good oxygen levels throughout out the waterway, the living space for the fish is increased allowing for larger fish populations.

Tips:
1. Fountains will only move water from 6-8 feet from the surface.
*Fountains can be use with a bubblier for maximum aeration.
2. Bubblers work best in waters greater than 4-5 feet deep.

Benefits of an Aeration System for a Lake or Pond:

Breaks down bottom organic sediments (muck): Aerobic (with oxygen) bacteria break down organic sediment at a much faster rate than anaerobic (without oxygen) bacteria. By keeping oxygen at the bottom of the pond not only will the aerobic bacteria reduce muck, it also will help keep up with new organics that are getting into the pond, such as leaves, grass clippings, dying weeds, and algae.

Eliminates odors: The continual circulation of the water drives off offensive gases as they are formed.

Improves water clarity: If poor water clarity is caused by either organic particles that are in suspension or solution, increasing the dissolved oxygen content of the water will promote oxidation and bacterial digestion of the organic material.

Prevents summer & winter fish kills: Both summer and winter fish kills are caused by oxygen depletion, generally caused by dying vegetation or a sudden turn over of the waterway, the aeration system can maintain a good oxygen supply in the waterway all year long.

Improves fish growth: Maintaining oxygen at the bottom of the waterway causes the nutrients normally trapped at the bottom to be channeled up through the fish’s food cycle, increasing the amount of available food for the fish and increasing their growth rate.

Supports larger fish populations: By maintaining good oxygen levels throughout out the waterway, the living space for the fish is increased allowing for larger fish populations.