Which is better aerator, waterfall or fountain?

[jay moussy]

New-to-me 800+ gal. pond has an old but powerful Little Giant pump driving a fairly tall concrete waterfall.

I am contemplating getting a pump with better efficiency, and then I came to wonder if a fountain would or would not be better at aerating than the waterfall.

Pond has minimal goldfish load (but changing!), large plants, frogs.

So... waterfall versus fountain, for aeration/efficiency/fish enjoyment?

 

[MitchM]

I think a waterfall is better because it also provides extra surface area for a biofilm to develop.
Make sure you try and include as much water circulation as possible - place the pump at the opposite end of the pond from where the waterfall is.

 

[pond new1]

I have 3 small waterfalls. When I have them off for cleaning etc. water loss is minimum. Will it be ok if I turn off the falls at night and just use the aerator? No Koi just some goldfish I don't feed and I think there's a frog in there too. Also the same pump sends water to the filter.
Thanks

 

[mrsclem]

If your pump runs your filter then turning it off overnight isn't good. The bacteria in the filter starts to die off.