Aerators

[JBtheExplorer]

Last year I had a pond heater in my pond. I didn't have fish in it, but wanted to help the frogs survive. It didn't work. At some point in February it died, pond froze, most of the frogs died.

This year I decided I may want to look into aerators but I don't know where to start. I don't have much of a budget for it, but I have three frogs at this point and I also plan on keeping the baby fish outdoors since I don't have room for them inside. Is there anything I should be specifically looking for, for my size pond (around 800-900g), and anything I should stay away from?

 

[sissy]

Try petco they have a 4 port one that I have had for at least 6 years now less than 30 dollars for it and it came with everything .I now have a laguna

 

[sissy]

box from mine

 

[Dave 54]

The problem is JB is that with an areator on your pond you will be dragging down cold air into the pond , is there anyway you can do as we do and that cover the pond with Policarbonate roofing sheets.
That way your trapping in the heat but because you havent a perfect seal then it allows for air to exchange

Dave

 

[Mmathis]

@Dave 54 Last winter I floated my air stones just below the surface -- used pool noodles & zip-ties. My thinking was that there would be surface agitation for air exchange, but no or very little temp exchange between deep & surface water.

Of course, we don't get frozen ponds here, but it still made me feel better.....

 

[sissy]

I put my air lines right under the pond heater and since it comes on when pond temp is low enough it seems to work here .

 

[Mmathis]

Can't advise about brands, but when I can't decide on something, I'll go to AMAZON.COM, find a couple of items I'm interested in and read their reviews. They post bad reviews as well as positive ones. And when people say WHY they like or don't like an item, it helps me, 'cause whatever their reasons were may not apply to me.

Anyway, some things to remember:

• aerators need to be protected from the elements -- they aren't water-proof, etc. Some people put a bucket over theirs, or build cute little houses [which is what I'll do one day...... ]
• the tubing going from the pump into the pond [probably] needs to be insulated in some way [places like Home Depot sell foam tubes that you wrap around pipes to insulate them -- they're pretty cheap]. Moisture will collect inside the air line [condensation] and can freeze if your temps get that low.
• consider getting something that puts out more than what you think your need

 

[JBtheExplorer]

I would like to hear what others do as well since I don't really have a budget for both a heater and aerator. I remember last year many saying an aerator was the way to go, but if its not I'll need to figure something out.

 

[sissy]

What is your budget because some places sell kits of a heater and small aerator for 1 cost .I saw them on webbs and on ebay .You can get away with a really small heater like 100 watts or maybe even 50 watts ,

 

[Mmathis]

I would like to hear what others do as well since I don't really have a budget for both a heater and aerator. I remember last year many saying an aerator was the way to go, but if its not I'll need to figure something out.

There was something that [I think it was] Addy posted about that a friend of hers was going to use -- a pond "breather." It might not fit into your budget, but it looks like it would be worth a try.

http://www.amazon.com/8PB-Breather-Heated-Aerator-Watts/dp/B000HHM9U0

 

[sissy]

I saw those on ebay also and I think it was cheaper but not sure ,

 

[sissy]

I just remembered did someone post on here that had one and it froze in the pond .Not sure but i think so.I thought I saw 1 on ebay 40 watts 59 dollars for a small pond perfect

 

[MitchM]

It was just me, nobody important, lol.

I used 2 pond breathers on my pond last winter, had 6 1/2 months of ice cover, -40 temperature.
They worked the whole time and all my fish lived.
The ice cover got about 2 feet thick plus another couple of of feet of snow on top.
They're a heck of a lot cheaper to run than a heater.
I'll be using them again this year.

 

[sissy]

I read and reread there description but still can't figure out how they work .How do they pump water up to get rid of the gas

 

[Mmathis]

@addy1 Can you help out with this one?

I read and reread there description but still can't figure out how they work .How do they pump water up to get rid of the gas