Use Nature's Cleansing Action

Aeration takes advantage of nature's own beneficial cleansing process. The only difference is that the natural action is accelerated. The aeration system is based upon the principal of inversion, the complete rolling over of a body of water. Inversion is the natural cleansing action of a water body. This process takes place in the spring and fall when the cooler surface water is heavier than the bottom water and sinks. This is nature's own way of providing oxygen to the water at the bottom thus removing toxic gases.

As more nutrients enter the water, this natural twice a year process is not capable of keeping up with the increase. As the water is inverted, oxygen is pulled to the bottom and toxic gases are blown away at the surface. Again, dissolved oxygen at the bottom is the single most important water quality parameter. Aeration systems rely on the same principals of turn over but on a continuous basis. As bubbles rise from the diffuser, bottom water is pulled to the surface. Surface water then replaces the bottom water. Ideally you should turn over the entire water body 2-5 times a day. Since a single diffuser can only turn over so much water in a 24 hour period, multiple diffusers are used. The number of diffusers that should be used is dependent on the volume of water, water depth, how many times a day the water must be turned over and the type of diffuser that is being used.

Goal: Maintain at least 5 ppm oxygen at the bottom sediment layer on a continuous basis. Diffused aeration systems are utilized a majority of the time when this is the objective. The reason for this lies in the fact that more water per horse power can be turned over more economically with diffusers. Fountains use much more horse power when trying to accomplish the same goal. Diffused aeration does not have moving parts or electrical cables in the water. They also do not create obstacles on the water's surface and are out of site, except for the bubbling action.

Aeration, when used as a management tool is a long-term continuous process. Many years of neglect creates an unhealthy pond or lake situation. Aeration must overcome years of organic and nutrient loading, and in many instances, deal with present loading. The turn around will be gradual. It helps to implement a watershed program that limits present and future loading. This is not easy, but many private individuals and communities have successfully done so.