Solar Aeration and Why It Matters

Many ponds or lakes suffer from the threat of stagnant water. A still pond is heated on the top from the sun's rays while the bottom of the pond or lake stays cold. This situation, called stratification, is yet another invitation to algal blooms and their accompanying fish kills. It also encourages mosquitos and other unpleasant insects. A pond or lake needs oxygen from water moving in order to support a thriving ecosystem. To that end, a healthy pond should have an air pump or bubbler in it, and some of the best pumps are solar powered. Of course, you will have to invest up front in solar aeration installation, but it is well worth it for all the benefits that will accrue to your pond or lake.

Solar aerators are basically pumps that are powered by solar panels. They are generally set up with the bubblers under the water, which makes it a form of subsurface aeration called a submersed diffused air system. The array is hooked up to a compressor which pushes air through a tube to a diffuser. The diffuser has a membrane over it that forms the air into bubbles. The bubbles forming causes air to mix in with the water and breaks up the layers of temperatures in the pond or lake by pushing it towards the surface. The pumps can form coarse or fine bubbles, depending on what you need.

Of course, a big question to ask when installing your aerator will be where you put it. The solar panel has to face the sun, although most solar power systems can store energy like batteries for a couple of days in case of cloudy weather. The compressor it is attached to needs to be big enough to work for the size of your pond, and said compressor will need a place on the shore.

If you think solar aeration is for you, contact us and we'll be glad to discuss it with you.