Enhancing Water Quality with Aeration

Simply put, a floating fountain is an electric motor attached to a float that physically forces water into the air. As water is propelled into the air, circulation occurs around the fountain, and the natural oxygenation of the water column is enhanced. Floating fountains come in different shapes, sizes, and spray patterns and can serve as the focal point of a pond while helping improve water quality. One thing to keep in mind is that the more appealing the display, either with a nozzle or special flow chamber, the less water is being circulated which can limit oxygen introduction.

Surface aerators are designed similarly to floating fountains but have the sole purpose of water movement and oxygen input. These systems run at lower speeds with large propellers that produce a boil-like flow on the surface of the water. Surface aerators are excellent for problematic ponds due to their ability to maintain a high flow and inject up to 3 lbs of oxygen per horsepower, per hour into the water. Ponds with less than 4 to 6 feet of average depth should consider either a floating fountain or surface aerator.

Submersed aeration can effectively increase DO levels in lakes and ponds with average depths above 4 to 6 feet. Submersed aeration systems have a compressor on shore that pumps air through tubing to diffusers located on the lake bottom that release fine air bubbles, creating a lifting action. These systems do not directly inject oxygen into the pond, but help circulate large amounts of water, which helps increase oxygen levels. These systems work better in deeper and larger waterbodies and are usually the best solution to break thermal and oxygen stratification.