Piedmont Pond Pros, LLC can help provide clients with fountains or aerators from both solar and electric sources of power. Floating fountains are perfect for residential lakes and ponds. With the tranquil sounds and visual beauty of moving water, a fountain will make any aquatic garden setting come to life.
Fountains are well-suited for shallow ponds, while aerators are suitable for any depth. Both devices exist in supporting the pond’s ecosystem and creating visually appealing results, but deeper ponds can’t receive enough oxygen with just a fountain. Pond fountains can create shapes with water that are bound to charm everybody and provide aeration of stagnant waters.
Benefits of aeration include vast improvement of water quality and clarity, reduction of algae growth, removal of bad odors and decreased muck build-up, a healthier ecosystem for fish and plants, and decreased mosquito activity.
What kind of aeration do you need?
FOUNTAINS increase oxygen in the pond, much in the same way that rainfall would. Oxygen breaks the pond’s surface and transfers from the atmosphere into the pond. When a fountain spray enters the water, it will increase the intake of oxygen from the air above. Under the surface, the fountain pulls water from around and below it creating an improved circulatory effect. The ongoing operation of the fountain will help to increase and maintain good oxygen levels in your pond.
SURFACE AERATORS are geared more toward functionality. They create a very high oxygen transfer into the pond which is beneficial in settings where fish stocking rates are high. These ponds are normally shallow and growth rates are very important.
A surface aerator may also be used to help settle out particulates, waste material, or discharge gases from the water in an industrial setting.
SUB-SURFACE AERATORS are simple in design and function. They use a pump, an airline, and a diffuser to connect the surface to the pond’s bottom. Bubbles are released to the surface of the pond and aid in the process of oxygenation. This aerator creates circulation horizontally and across the bottom of the pond.
Aeration kits can be adapted to fit any size of pond and multiple diffusers are common in very large ones.
Fountains can vary a lot in terms of power — as motor size increases, you’ll see higher and broader spray patterns. The sound of the water falling is relaxing to listen to and the spray patterns can be varied and attractive. Light kits can also be added to fountains and that enhance their beauty at night. Today, LED technology allows for very efficient lighting (as well as color changing features at the touch of a button). Ask us about our lighting options!
DO I NEED A FOUNTAIN OR AN AERATOR?
In terms of aeration quality, our suggestion is to consider a fountain or surface aerator if you have a pond that’s less than 6 to 8 feet in depth. If your pond is much deeper than this, we would suggest that you get a sub-surface type aerator that will provide more benefits in deeper water.
In most cases a sub-surface aerator will be less expensive than a fountain.
Fountains are beautiful additions to ponds, but they are more prone to clogging (since they pull water from down below). If there is a lot of plant growth or debris in the water, this can get pulled into the intake and the fountain output will be affected.
Aerators on the other hand use a pump to push air into the water, so they tend to be more trouble free. Diffuser heads can get covered with muck if they aren’t run for a bit, but usually they stay clean throughout the season.
Our experts can help you decide as well as handle any maintenance you may need to your fountain or aerator.
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