One of the great tools in an aquatic management professional’s toolbox is lake and pond aeration. Aeration is the mixing of water in a lake or pond to increase exposure to the atmosphere and decrease harmful gases within the aquatic ecosystem. While pond aeration systems like floating fountains are highly effective at oxygenating the surface of a waterbody, submersed diffused aeration systems—also referred to as pond diffusers—help oxygenate the lower depths.
How Do Pond Diffusers or Submersed Aerators Work?
Submersible aeration systems like pond diffusers utilize a weather-protected on-shore compressor to pump air through a subsurface tube to submerged bubble diffusers. As the bubbles rise, they carry the low oxygen water from the bottom toward the surface, where it mixes with the oxygen-rich surface water and atmospheric oxygen before sinking back to the bottom. The continuous vertical mixing provided by pond diffusers helps to increase dissolved oxygen concentration throughout the entire waterbody.
Submersed Aerator and Pond Diffuser Benefits
Submerged diffused aeration systems or pond diffusers provide an array of benefits. They can help prevent fish kills and balance water quality, impeding the growth of algae by moving water and creating a non-stagnant environment. Algae and weeds are less likely to develop when water quality is balanced. Likewise, increased oxygen levels at the bottom of a waterbody also help improve the natural decomposition of organic material. In the winter, pond diffusers can be used to prevent freezing and maintain open water for fishing, wildlife access, and safety purposes.
The positive effects of pond diffusers and submersible aeration can be reinforced when paired with other proactive strategies:
Interested in learning more about pond diffusers and other aeration systems? Our team of experts answered dozens of questions about aeration during our “Ask Us Anything” webinar. Watch here!
Installation and Placement of Pond Diffusers
Properly sized and placed pond diffusers and submerged aeration systems are critical to achieve sufficient oxygenation. Water will not be properly circulated if your aeration system is not specifically sized for your pond. Inadequately sized aeration systems could, instead, push unhealthy water into healthy areas, diminishing the health of your waterbody.
A lake and pond management professional will take into account the shape, various depths, and overall volume of the lake or pond to determine a customized submersed aeration plan. Submersed systems and pond diffusers are most effective for waterbodies greater than 6 feet, while floating fountains and surface aerators are appropriate in depths between 4-6 feet. In some cases, professionals may recommend placing a pond diffuser under a fountain or surface aerator for maximum benefits.
It’s also not uncommon for a professional to utilize depth-sensing technology, like bathymetry, to create a three-dimensional model of the waterbody and ensure you reap the full benefits of your submerged aeration system or pond diffuser.
