November 09, 2023
Is it Important to Aerate a Pond in the Winter?
Why aeration in the winter is critical to the health of a pond.
When a pond owner buys a linear air pump, it is often in the spring or summer when they are looking to beautify the water and/ or enhance fish growth. Yet the most important season for aeration may be the winter. Sub-surface aeration is essential for cleaning up autumn debris, preventing winter fish kill, and disrupting the formation of ice.
What is happening under the ice?
In autumn as the leaves begin to fall and other matter starts to die off, ponds collect a significant amount of organic material. Aerobic bacteria in the water – fueled by an oxygen rich environment – eat away at the organic matter. As a bi-product, harmful gasses such as methane, hydrogen sulfide, and carbon dioxide are released into the atmosphere. As winter approaches and the pond becomes completely iced over, the gasses are trapped and begin to replace dissolved oxygen. The loss of oxygen slows the digestion of organic matter which can make for a big clean up job in the spring.
If a pond is covered by ice, there is also a possibility of a fish kill. In addition to the reduction in dissolved oxygen from gas displacement, the lack of sunlight reduces the amount of oxygen produced by aquatic plants through photosynthesis. The combination of these two factors could result in your fish floating belly up come springtime.
Why subsurface aeration?
Subsurface aeration is an energy efficient and highly effective way of increasing dissolved oxygen levels and circulating it through the pond. The circulation creates an opening in the ice which allows the deadly gasses to be released, and for sunlight to reach aquatic plants. There is no better way to keep your fish alive and continue the decomposition of organic material while at the same time offering an opening in the ice for wildlife to stop by.
Tricks of the Trade
It is important to move the diffuser from the deepest part of the pond. If you have 6’ foot pond, move the diffuser closer to the shore to about 3’. In the winter, the warmest water in the pond is at the bottom – which is where fish reside. If the diffuser is kept at the bottom of the pond, it will circulate the warm water and evenly distribute the cold water – disrupting the natural habitat. Moving the diffuser closer to the surface also helps with reducing ice formation.
If possible, it is best to keep your aerator in a warm building or under some type of shelter. Pumping warm air into the pond will only increase the results.
Choose HIBLOW for Pond Aeration
We’ve manufactured pond aerators and air pumps for the pond and aquatic industries for over 30 years. We know that reliability, energy efficiency, and low sound levels are all extremely important for your aquatic systems. Whether you’re aerating tanks on fish transport vehicles, operating a commercial fish farm, or just keeping your backyard pond in a healthy condition—you can depend on our pumps for your application.
Contact us today to find the best pump for your application!
More Pond Aeration Content
- What Size Air Pump Should I Buy?
- DIY Pond Aeration
- How to Calculate Backpressure
- What Type of Diffuser Should I Buy for My Pond?
- How Water Depth, Pipe Size and Diffuser Type Affect Longevity
- DIY Solar Pond
- For all HIBLOW pond aeration content click here