The science behind it:
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Stratification
A pond without aeration will become stratified into two very separate layers in the summer heat. This is because of the physical properties of water. As the sun warms the surface water, it becomes less dense and, thereby, lighter than the cool water below it. The line at which these two layers separate (similar to oil floating on water) is called the thermocline.
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No Oxygen = No Life
The vast majority of water-cleaning organisms (aerobic bacteria & phytoplankton) in a pond use oxygen to drive their metabolic processes. Oxygen enters the water column almost exclusively through the surface of a non-aerated pond. Because the surface water does not mix with the water below, oxygen in the bottom layer quickly becomes depleted under stratified conditions, allowing toxic gasses to build up. Because no oxygen is available below, the pond's overall ecosystem will begin to suffer.
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Nutrient Build-Up
Without water-cleaning organisms on the bottom, any sediment, debris, and nutrients that enter the system fall to the bottom and accumulate. This layer on the bottom is what many refer to as "muck". An unwanted pile of muck and a toxic lower layer in your pond will quickly cause major headaches, including algae blooms, rampant weed growth, and fish kills.
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Airmax to the Rescue!
Our Airmax Aeration Systems utilize a shore-mounted air pump that delivers air to specialized diffuser plates on the pond bottom. The resulting column of rising bubbles circulates water throughout the pond, eliminating the thermocline. With a fresh supply of oxygen, natural bacteria and phytoplankton work in the water column and on the bottom. Any excess nutrients in the system are metabolized, resulting in cleaner, clearer water, and less muck. Results you can see in just 90 days!
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Need Help?
Let Blue Water Aquatics design the right system for you! Pond Design Profile is designed to take the guesswork out of aeration design and pond management. Fill out the online form with all the pond’s information. Upon receipt, we will map, measure, and properly design an Airmax Aeration System. You will receive an aerial map with diffuser locations and complete system specifications.
