Oxygen is a fundamental part of life, including life under the water. Property owners and managers want to look out the window at a clear, sparkling waterbody filled with healthy native species, but without sufficient dissolved oxygen (DO) levels, what stares back at them may be a green, slimy mess.
Everyone deserves a waterbody that sparks joy and brings value to their property. Fountains and aerators are excellent tools to boost dissolved oxygen levels and help you achieve the waterbody of your dreams – and there are many different types to choose from.
Floating Pond Fountains: Beautiful Lighting Features & Spray Patterns
Floating fountains are the most recognizable aeration solution. It’s not uncommon to see them gracing ponds in business parks, private properties, and everywhere in between.
First and foremost, these systems enhance waterbodies with dynamic beauty and movement. Available with a wide array of sizes, heights, lighting features, and spray patterns, fountains can be used to accentuate the natural aesthetics of a property or create a stunning focal point that impresses residents and visitors. But perhaps more importantly, fountains help support healthy water quality conditions by increasing the transfer of oxygen to the water column. As water cascades across the surface, it creates beneficial turbulence and circulation.
Submersed Aeration Systems: Improve Circulation & Oxygen Levels
To oxygenate lakes and ponds more than 6 feet deep, experts recommend submersed aerators. Submersed aeration systems, also known as pond diffusers, sit directly on the bottom and are connected to an on-shore compressor that pumps oxygen to the unit. As the air bubbles are released into the waterbody, they create consistent circulation and oxygenation.
Though submersed aerators do not offer the magnificence of fountains, they provide more efficient, cost-effective water quality benefits.
Surface Aerators: An Efficient Aeration Tool
Fountains and submersed systems work very differently, but property owners and managers who want the best of both worlds may find luck with a surface aerator.
Similar to fountains, surface aerators float on the water. They have a lower profile and create a boil-like flow that injects up to 3 pounds of oxygen per horsepower into the water every hour – significantly more than a traditional fountain. Like submersed aeration, surface aerators are designed for function, but they can be paired with a variety of fountains to create a more striking look.
Placing Pond Aeration Systems for Optimal Results
Though virtually every waterbody can benefit from increased DO, the physical characteristics can vary vastly.
When evaluating your lake or pond, an aquatic expert may use bathymetric mapping technologies to model the lake or pond bottom and determine exactly where aerators should be placed for optimal results. A site evaluation also helps professionals determine which type of fountain or aeration system is best and how many systems to install.
What Maintenance Is Needed on Pond Aerators and Fountains?
Fountains and aerators are beneficial, low-maintenance investments. Through an Annual Management Program, aquatic experts typically conduct monthly or bi-monthly inspections of equipment to ensure they are functioning properly and clear of debris. Every 2-3 years, experts also complete an oils and seals change to keep the system in optimal condition – much like changing the oil or breaks on your car.
In regions of the country that experience long periods of freezing during the winter, professionals may advise physically removing equipment from the waterbody for off-site storage. However, in areas with less severe winters, fountains and aerators are useful tools to help prevent ice formation and maintain open water all season long.
Add Aeration to Your Professional Pond Management Program
Fountains and aerators are powerful tools in lake and pond management, but cannot be used alone.
Beautiful waterbodies are no accident – they are cultivated using an array of sustainable solutions to prevent deterioration over time. These solutions include the use of nutrient-mitigating technologies like Phoslock and Alum, beneficial biological bacteria, ongoing water quality testing, shoreline buffers and restoration techniques, mechanical hydro-raking to physically remove bottom build-up, and when needed, highly-targeted herbicides and algaecides.
To begin cultivating a waterbody you can take pride in, speak with an aquatic expert about the unparalleled benefits of fountains and aerators.
Discover the Power of Pond Fountains & Aerators
SOLitude Lake Management is a nationwide environmental firm committed to providing sustainable solutions that improve water quality, enhance beauty and preserve natural resources.
SOLitude’s team of aquatic scientists specializes in the development and execution of customized lake, stormwater pond, wetland and fisheries management programs. Services include water quality testing and restoration, algae and aquatic weed control, installation and maintenance of fountains and aeration systems, shoreline erosion control, muck and sediment removal and invasive species management. SOLitude partners with homeowners associations, golf courses, private landowners, businesses and municipalities. SOLitude Lake Management is part of Rentokil, a leading business services company, operating across the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.
For more information, visit SOLitude Lake Management at solitudelakemanagement.com, and connect on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.
