Ponds contribute significantly to the well-being and overall beautiful layout of a landscape. A pond can provide a balanced ecosystem for all pond life if done correctly. Moreover, it also complements surrounding structures and landscapes with a natural yet elegant look. You’ve probably heard the term aeration if you already have a pond. What is pond aeration? Why is aeration a vital feature to have in a pond? Let’s go over the mechanics and purposes of pond aeration.
What Aeration Does for Your Pond
In short, aeration injects a steady flow of oxygen into the water. This is essential for all sorts of reasons. The primary purpose of aeration is to keep your pond clean. Proper aeration will keep those pond waters nice and clear so that you can have an aesthetically pleasing landscape. However, its mechanics are much more complex. Aeration can help decompose dead plants and other types of organic material. Mainly, the aeration system helps to break down excess nutrients that would otherwise build to make your pond dirty. This process introduces aerobic bacteria into your pond.
Aerobic Bacteria and Your Pond
Aerobic bacteria, also known as good bacteria, will use oxygen to break down organic materials in your pond. However, the natural movement of the aeration will never let sediments at the bottom of the pond settle. Therefore, it is recommended to use both surface pond aerators and bottom pond aerators for optimal results. Microorganisms found at your pond’s bottom layer help decompose these sediments. Although anaerobic bacteria will also break down the sediments found at the bottom, the process is much slower. Because of this reason, the aerobic cycle works much better.
No Aeration Means a Dirty Pond
Stagnant water is something you don’t want to have in your pond. Without any aeration, the water in your pond will become stagnant, resulting in little to no movement. As a result, the water in your pond will become dirty. It can even begin to smell in and around your pond as pond muck comes together. In addition, no aeration means decaying plants, algae bloom, and other debris will not break down properly. As a result, you may notice brown or greenish sludge floating atop the water.
The Results Of Aeration
Many things can affect the water in your pond, such as polluted particles, dust, falling leaves, and other natural fragments. As more debris collects in your pond, the water quality decreases. However, the results with aeration will make a big difference. The added boost in oxygen levels will improve water quality within just a few days.
Pond Aeration in the Summer and Winter Months
Although aeration systems will work year-round, it is crucial to have one in place for the summer months. Hot weather tends to diminish oxygen levels in the water. Less oxygen can dissolve in warmer waters, which is where aeration comes in to help. Aeration is also essential in the winter. An aeration system will keep the water moving, helping prevent the water from freezing when temperatures hit 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Remember that aeration is vital to having a balanced environment for your pond.
Do you have a question about what aeration can do for you? Call us at 866-471-1614. Need to order your pond aeration system? Click here to shop our electric, solar, and windmill aeration systems!
At Outdoor Water Solutions, we offer a variety of pond aerators & solar pond aerators providing you with the options needed to pick the perfect pond aerator for your pond. We always enjoy working with clients on ways to improve the quality of their ponds’ health & solutions for pond maintenance so, if you have any questions or would like more information on our solar pond aerators, contact us at 866.471.1614 today!
