| ign="center"> | | | | water from the top foot of the ponds surface |
| Dissolved oxygen (DO)is a the most important | | | | and sprays it into the air. When the water |
| parameter to monitor in a pond or lake. Basically it | | | | splashes down onto the pond it creates an |
| is the amount of oxygen available in the pond | | | | oxygen exchange at the surface and helps to |
| water. A good rule of thumb for determining if | | | | aerate the top few feet of water. |
| your pond has enough DO is to measure it in ppm | | | | Pond Aerators provide numerous benefits and |
| (parts per million). A DO level of 4 ppm to 5 ppm | | | | include: |
| is typically the bottom thresh hold for most | | | | * Reduction and elimination of fish kills(due to low |
| ponds. | | | | oxygen) |
| There are numerous issues associated with low | | | | * Stimulation of beneficial aerobic bacteria |
| dissolved oxygen: | | | | * Problematic nutrients are made unavailable |
| * Fish kills â most critical | | | | * Algae blooms are reduced due to the lack of |
| * Noxious odors from anaerobic waste digestion | | | | available nutrients |
| * Stratification â oxygen deficient layer | | | | * Prevention of turnovers and improved overall |
| of water on the pond bottom | | | | water quality |
| What are the causes of low oxygen levels? | | | | * Odors reduced |
| There are several factors that contribute to low | | | | A good, properly sized pond aeration system is |
| DO in ponds, including: | | | | not cheap, but the costs for alternative |
| * Over abundance of algae and aquatic plants that | | | | treatments and maintenance work far outweighs |
| consume oxygen at night | | | | the cost and long term benefits of aeration. It is |
| * High organic waste load | | | | highly recommended that you contact a |
| * Over population of fish | | | | professional to be sure you get the right system |
| If these issues are a concern for you then a | | | | and that it is not undersized. |
| proper pond aeration system could be a solution. | | | | Visit this other pond aeration article for more |
| If you have a deep pond say 8 ft or deeper, you | | | | details on the importance of a well oxygenated |
| will most likely get more benefit from a bottom | | | | pond. |
| based diffuser system that pushes air to the | | | | Casey Coke is a Marketing Manager for Natural |
| bottom of the pond and allows it to bubble to the | | | | Environmental Systems, LLC, a global supplier of |
| top. These systems allow for greater mixing of | | | | microbial solutions for pond and lake management. |
| the water column and eliminates stratification. | | | | The company markets their own brand of pond |
| If you have a shallower pond, a surface aerator | | | | supplies under the registered brand name of Pond |
| like a fountain,would be a good option. They pull | | | | Keeper. |