What is the Purpose of Aerating Your Pond or Lake?

by Patricia Foreman Discount Pumps

You have probably heard of aeration if you have a pond in your outdoor space, but do you know what it does to your water? What’s the purpose of aeration, and is it necessary for your pond? How can you tell if you need it?

Let’s look closer at the aerating process. Once you have an understanding of what it does to your water, you will be able to decide if your pond needs it.

Oxygen in the Water

Do you know that water breathes oxygen? Of course, it does not breathe the same way that we do, but water must absorb oxygen and it needs to be able to release carbon dioxide and other gases. The water can get murky, smelly, and can become rather gross if this gas exchange does not happen.

When water is still, the exchange of gases can only happen on the surface. Just think about all of the water molecules that are on the surface of your pond in comparison to the entire pond.

What a big ratio, right? The amount of gas exchange that happens on the relatively tiny surface is not enough for your pond. Oxygen cannot travel throughout the entire pond fast enough.

There is an even bigger need for oxygen in your water if you have fish in your pond. Blood cells in fish needs oxygen to survive just as much as ours do. Your fish could die if you do not have enough oxygen in your pond.

Fish use their gills to extract oxygen directly from the water to breathe. If there isn’t enough oxygen in the water, the fish will start to suffocate.

If your pond lacks oxygen, you may notice your fish coming up to the surface frequently to gulp air. The fish may even start to die if the problem becomes more severe.

Anaerobic Bacteria – What is it?

Anaerobic bacteria is another factor can contribute to the dirtiness of your water. The meaning of anaerobic is, without oxygen. It’s bacteria that lives at the bottom of pond water where there is little to no oxygen.

This bacteria eats on organic matter such as dead leaves and other debris that is in your pond. This can create a septic condition very quickly, and is a gross state that you will want to avoid.

Floating & Underwater Plants

If you paid attention in science class, then you know that plants absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen. With that said, plants could help oxygenate your water. In reality, plants may help but are not the complete solution, and let’s take a look at why.

Though floating plants can add a small amount of oxygen to your water, the problem is that they decrease surface area of your pond. It’s much more efficient for water to have air contact, which negates the plant’s oxygen benefit. Even though your water lilies are very pretty, they could also be suffocating your fish.

But what about underwater plants? That could take care of the surface issue, and while this is true, there is a very important piece to the puzzle.

Plants will only produce oxygen during photosynthesis. Therefore, when it gets dark, the plants are no longer contributing oxygen to your water, and they don’t stop needing oxygen. Many types of plants store enough oxygen in their cells to get them through the night. They do not produce enough of an excess during the day to properly oxygenate the water.

Aeration in Water

This is where aeration can help. Aeration is circulation of air throughout your pond water. Aeration will ensure that plenty of your pond water will come into contact with the air. Enough gas exchange will take place when this happens.

Byproduct gases such as carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide have ways to get release. They won’t stay trapped in the water causing odors or muckiness. This will help your pond water to stay fresher and cleaner.

How to Aerate Your Pond

You need to create movement in order to aerate your pond. This is to ensure more water molecules spend time exposed to air. Here are some ways you can do this.

One way is to add a waterfall. The constant running water will expose lots of water molecules to the air. However, it may not be enough depending on the size of your pond. Watch for signs that the waterfall is not sufficient aeration.

Another good way to ensure enough gas exchange is to add an decorative aeration system or an air pump. The surface area, depth, and even shape of your pond will determine the size aerator you will need. You can get away with using a smaller system if you have a waterfall or fountain. Consulting with a professional is always recommended to pick the right system for your pond.

Temperature of Your Water

The water temperature has an effect on how much oxygen is can hold. Hot water holds less oxygen than cold water.

This means that you will need to pay attention to your pond during the warm summer months. Do the fish start to die when the weather starts warming up? If so, this is because the water needs more aeration during the summer to provide enough oxygen. Just adjust your aeration system during the summer to keep your fish happy and healthy.

Ready to Start Aerating?

Is your pond dirty and smelly all of the time? Are your fish dying for no apparent reason?

Most likely your problem is that your water is lacking oxygen. Contact us to help you to choose an aeration system that is right for your pond. With the proper aeration system, your water will stay clean and fresh, and your fish will be grateful for it!