Ponds, no matter what size, have a serious problem. They tend to reduce the level of dissolved oxygen in the water over time. There are several factors for this to happen and the consequences are the appearance of anaerobic bacteria and an impoverishment of the water quality that affects the fish and the aesthetic appearance of the pond.
Why should you put an aeration system in your pond?
A pond itself is losing oxygen over time. Although algae consume CO2 while releasing oxygen, the oxygen is “lost” at the surface to the open air while it does not penetrate the water as easily from the atmosphere.
Some of the factors that influence the loss of oxygen in water are
- Absence of water movement. Ponds that have no movement of water, or little movement of water have a tendency to stratify the water layers by temperature, losing a lot of oxygen and not receiving much in its transfer with the atmosphere.
- High concentration of fish, or fish are too large for the size of the pond. The fish consume oxygen from the pond (obviously they breathe) and also generate waste that contributes to some extent to lowering the levels as well. Many times massive fish deaths occur when the temperature rises and the water runs out of oxygen.
- Inadequate filtration. The filtration system does not exist or is not necessary for the volume of water. The accumulation of food debris and fish deposition will form a layer on the bottom where anaerobic bacteria will develop, causing bad odours.
If you want to prevent the fish from dying, or developing diseases due to the poor sanitary conditions of the water and if you want to avoid bad smells in the water, you must ensure that there is proper aeration in the water.
Best Pond Aerator Reviews 2020
1. CrystalClear KoiAir Mini Water Garden Aerator Kit
If you want to maximize oxygen for your small to medium sized gardens and ponds, AirMax’s energy efficient KoiAir Pond Aeration Kit is a great solution. This is a great kit for ponds that can hold up to 4,000 gallons of water.
It is equipped with a soft and silent operation that ensures that the pump does not make any noise or vibrations while in use. Thanks to its technology, the tank is always safe and healthy for the fish and plants in it. You can easily submerge this aeration kit inside your pond as it has a maximum working depth of 4 feet.
It has a veneer with an optimal airflow of 0.80 CFM that creates enough bubbles for the fish to swim freely. The best part about this kit is that you can easily use it all year round, thus giving you good value.
Advantages
-KoiAir pond aeration kits are known for diffusing fresh oxygen into the pond, thanks to their efficient membrane diffuser.
-It provides excellent aeration of the pond all year round.
-The 17-watt silent air pump makes no noise.
-Comes with cutouts, cracks and a leak-free design to help the kit sink fully in the pond for maximum performance.
Disadvantages
-It’s not as quiet as the product claims.
2. Aquascape Pro Air 60 Pond Aerator and Aeration Kit
If you want to keep the water and marine animals in your pond happy, you need a professional pond aerator to help remove all the debris and dirt that accumulates in your pond.The Aquascape Pro Air 60 Pond Aerator is the perfect choice for you.
With a 45-watt compressor and energy-efficient performance, this aerator comes with an effective diffuser made of a rubber membrane to prevent problems associated with leaks. It is designed with professional grade materials to provide ultimate durability and safety for your fish.
With 2.1 CFM for optimal airflow, this kit can oxygenate a fairly large tank, holding up to 15,000 gallons.
Advantages
-Great for hot summers and cold winters.
-Keeps water and fish fresh, safe and well oxygenated
-High durability and low maintenance model.
-Very easy to set up and install.
Disadvantages
-The quality of the hose can be better than what is available.
3. Hi-Blow Linear Air Pump Pond Aeration Septic Aerator
If durability is what you’re looking for in a pond aerator, this one from Hi-Blow is the ideal choice for you. Considered to be the longest running aerator in today’s market, this model is known for its low energy consumption.
You can rest assured that the fish and plants inside the pond are safe when using this aerator because it emits very low levels of noise and vibration. Its optimum airflow capacity stands at an impressive 4.2CF and it is made of durable and sturdy materials that last for many years.
Advantages
-Creates lots of bubbles to keep fish healthy and oxygenated.
-Can be diffused in pond water up to 6 feet deep.
-Can be used to aerate the pond in all seasons.
Disadvantages
-While it claims to produce very little noise, the aerator is quite noisy.
4. CrystalClear KoiAir2 Water Garden Aerator Kit
As one of the best pond aerators on the market today, the Airmax KoiAir2 is a great choice if you are looking for an aerator for your pond 8,000 – 16,000 gallons.
It has the signature technical sophistication of the Airmax brand and is designed to provide you with a good return on your investment. The dual diffuser plates, 1.70 CFM for optimal air flow and 4 feet of operating depth keep the water clear to keep your fish healthy. Thanks to its silent air pump, this unit’s noise and vibration levels are kept as low as possible.
Advantages
-Energy efficient mode; therefore, your energy bills won’t take a huge hit.
-Low-maintenance membrane increases oxygen uptake in your pond.
-Easy to set up and use
-Can be used all year round
Disadvantages
-Not as softly as it promises.
-Customer service is substandard.
5. CrystalClear PondAir 2 Aerator Kits
For any aquatic equipment that you need, Airmax has been one of the best suppliers in the world.
Their Pond Air 2 Aeration Kit has every basic thing you need to keep your pond clean and clear. It helps clean ponds with a maximum capacity of 1,000 gallons and can reach depths of up to 2 feet.
It is perfect for any small pond as it has a simple installation as well as cost effective operation at only 4 watts. It also comes with an airflow control valve that you can use to easily adjust the output of the aeration.
In addition, this type of air aeration system can help mix the various layers of water and air through its bubbles, ensuring that no water is left to remain stagnant.
Advantages
-Cost effective and sufficient for any small pond.
-It has everything necessary to start aerating small to medium-sized ponds.
-Simple system to install and easy to get it up and running.
-Units are small in size, so they are easier to hide or camouflage so as not to damage or detract from the aesthetics of the pond.
Disadvantages.
-Improper duct adjustment may result in changes in airflow between two ducts
-One recommendation when maintaining this unit is to try to keep it out of the sun, which is difficult for ponds that are placed directly in the heat of the sun.
-It also has a diaphragm that could break down if not watched carefully. Some users say that they have to replace the diaphragm every year, which can cost a lot of money. So, you still need to pay attention to this part of the equipment.
6. CrystalClear KoiAir Mini Water Garden Aerator Kit
Airmax is truly one of the best suppliers for any aquarium equipment needs.
This mini Koi Air is best suited for 1000 to 4000 gallons of water and has a maximum operating depth of 4 feet. It has a mini plate and the airflow is up to 0.80 CFM maximum capacity.
It is equipped with a double diaphragm that helps in providing efficient circulation and maximum oxygen supply.
The aeration pump consumes only 17 watts of electricity to keep it running and works like a baby because it runs so quietly that you wonder if it’s actually running.
A diffusion wand is also provided to improve oxygen uptake and prevent any clogs, cracks, or air leaks.
This aeration kit is very easy to use and there is no hassle with installation. Setup is also simple, which makes it easier to hide to avoid ruining the beauty of your pond. The bubbles also provide oxygen, making your koi or any aquatic species more active and energetic.
The Koi Air Mini Water Garden Aeration Kit is built to survive being submerged and its air line will keep it stuck at the bottom of your pond.
Advantages
-For the size and capacity of the air pump, it only makes a humming sound.
-From its use, you will see early results in removing algae and reducing silt.
-Perfect for any medium sized pond.
-The 50′ 3.8″ tube is supplied and packaged, which will allow you to avoid buying another tube.
-Energy efficient, as it comes with a 17 watt compressor.
Disadvantages
-The only negative thing about this product is that it can be hard to submerge at times. So, it definitely requires you to add bricks or rocks to the top of the unit to keep it submerged to the bottom.
7. Blue Diamond ET 80 Septic or Pond Linear Diaphragm Air Pump
The ET80 septic or pond linear pump from Blue Diamond Pumps is one of the most selected oxygenators on the market. The pond air pump is most commonly used for residential aerobic treatment and pond aeration for 500 to 600 GPD good oxidized septic systems. It has a maximum air flow capacity of up to 80 liters per minute and can clean up to 500 gallons of water per day. Built and protected with an aluminum weatherproof enclosure and a special diaphragm material, it’s sure to last for years. If you are staying within the budget, then you can always trust this product from Blue Diamond Pumps as it has an extra feature of green drive technology. This type of technology helps to reduce costs by consuming electricity as low as 85 watts only. Moreover, this air pond pump won’t bother you because it only runs as low as 35 dB, which is already technically a very quiet unit with this caliber. It also has a flow rate of up to 8 liters/hour.
Advantages
-Aluminum and weather resistant housing makes this unit very durable.
-Built specifically for outdoor use, it can withstand the sun’s rays.
-Any parts that need to be rebuilt or replaced are easy to find and not very expensive, so it’s actually a great value for money.
Disadvantages
-Although the product is said to have a noise output of 35 decibels, many pond keepers and buyers have actually mentioned that it is actually noisier than other air pond aerators.
-The electrical cord is a standard plug.
8. CrystalClear KoiAir1 Water Garden Aerator Kit
This product from Airmax is part of their Airmax Koi Air Aeration Kit series.
Simply put, this product is an upgraded version of the Airmax Koi Air Mini previously found on the list and it has a higher capacity than the Koi Air mini as it can hold a pond that is 2 times larger than the Koi Air Mini.
It has a higher capacity than the Koi Air mini as it can hold a pond that is 2 times larger than the Koi Air Mini.
This aerator kit can hold ponds from 2,000 to 8,000 gallons of water, but can have a maximum diffuser depth of 4 feet. It has an airflow speed of about 0.80 CFM and uses an average of about 17 watts per hour of electricity.
In addition, the package includes a simple 25-foot-long aerial line that helps submerge the unit so it can’t be seen and ruin any attempts at landscaping. Just like other Airmax products for pond aeration, this unit works so quietly and efficiently that you won’t even know it’s running.
This is definitely one of the most impressive pond aeration systems on the market.
Advantages
-Complete aeration kit
-Heavy-duty diffusers make it easy to connect equipment.
-High quality tubing
-maintenance-free
Disadvantages
-It’s certainly not the cheapest product of its size on the market, but durability and efficiency are guaranteed.
Methods of aeration of pond water
There are several ways to improve water aeration in ponds, but this does not mean that you should not control the fish population or put in a proper filtration system. Aeration will improve the life of the fish (it will even allow you to have more than if you didn’t have it) and it will also improve the capacity of the filter. These are the most common methods to oxygenate the water:
- Water games for ponds
- Streams and waterfalls
- Pond aerators
Water games using pond pumps
One of the best solutions for introducing oxygen into the pond is to use a water kit that generates a pump. This is one of the most widely used methods in both small ponds and lakes to improve water conditions. It is common to see these high altitude pumps in large artificial lakes.
The benefits of water play in a pond are:
- Oxygen loading of the water, both when it is thrown into the air and when it falls on the surface.
- It breaks the upper layer of water in the pond, generating a movement that favors the oxygenation of the water.
- It generates a current of water inside the pond that mixes the different layers of the pond and makes it difficult for the water to stagnate.
- The water games add a dynamic aesthetic point to the pond. If they are well dimensioned, the pond gains a lot.
- A water sound is generated which, as long as it is not excessive, is pleasant.
How to choose a good pond aerator?
Choosing an oxygenator for your pond after knowing the incidence of so many variables on the quality of the pond water may seem complicated, worthy of advice from a professional, but if you follow some basic guidelines this task can become simple.
In principle, a fundamental factor to take into account is the size of the pond, that is, its width and depth, because if your pond is more than 1mt deep, it is not advisable to acquire mechanical aerators because they lose effectiveness in the mechanism of saturation of the water with oxygen when exceeding that depth, but rather the installation of diffusion aerators is recommended. Next, you must take into account the electrical consumption that the equipment will demand, since it will be operating continuously. In this sense, a mistake that is usually made is to acquire equipment with a certain amount of hp without necessarily evaluating the energy consumption in watts, so that aerators are chosen that perform a job with a high electrical expenditure. The ideal is to take an equipment of low electrical consumption that does not overheat to avoid physicochemical variations of the water and also to take care of the maintenance costs of the pond.