4 Rules for a Healthy Aeration System
A healthy aeration system in your lake, pond, marina, canal or reservoir helps maintain the balance of oxygen and nutrients. Plants, fish and other living organisms need oxygen to survive. Problems that occur in waterbodies are often associated with a lack of oxygen where it is needed. These issues include algae and aquatic weeds, fish kills, poor water clarity, midge fly swarms, foul odors and bottom muck.
Lake and pond aeration systems are an effective method of adding oxygen and circulating the entire water column when installed properly and regularly maintained. Follow these guidelines to keep your waterbody healthier for years to come.
1. Powering Your Pond or Lake Aeration System
Aeration systems run on electricity. For systems powered by solar or wind and stored batteries, follow the guidelines in your owner’s manual. Otherwise, to ensure proper installation we highly recommend you hire a professional. Electricians and qualified, experienced installers follow all National Electric Code 682 and local codes.
These are important rules to comply with:
- Always use the correct size electrical supply wires. Undersized electrical supply wires can’t maintain required voltage. This may cause high electrical resistance, severe compressor vibration and premature motor failure and compressor head damage .
- Use the correct grounding for the system you have.
- Do not plug a system with a GFCI outlet into another GFCI outlet as it will cause it to trip. Never replace a GFCI outlet on your system with a non-GFCI Outlet.
- Properly ground a system that does not have a GFCI outlet. If your system is equipped with a grounding plug it must be plugged into an outlet that is properly installed and grounded. This will reduce the risk of electric shock.
- Electric cord safety
- Never allow anything to rest on the cord.
- Never use an extension cord.
- Make sure that is not a trip hazard.
- If it becomes frayed, call a professional to replace it.
- Do not operate the system if unusual noises or odors are detected.
- Before performing any maintenance and troubleshooting, disconnect the electricity by turning off the disconnect switch or unplug the unit.
2. Aeration System Placement
Where you place the system depends on many factors around your property and the water you are aerating. Choosing the best location requires understanding your environment.
- Power Supply: if you do not have power by the water, you can use a remote valve box or other alternatives like solar and wind.
- Base: like the foundation of your home, place the system on a solid base to hold the weight of the cabinet.
- Water: If the cabinet is placed near the water’s edge, make sure it is high enough or far enough away to avoid flooding the cabinet during heavy rains. Avoid irrigation sprinklers as well.
- Airborne dirt: In some areas the bigger concern is recurring or continuous airborne dirt, sand or grit entering the cabinet. In this case you may need to consider options to safely help reduce the dirt without causing more problems as outlined below.
3. Protecting and Camouflaging Aeration Cabinets
Whether you are dealing with environmental issues like airborne dirt or aesthetic ones around you property, there are some rules to follow to safely camouflage the cabinet and suggestions to do it correctly.
- If you are putting it in an existing structure or building one around it, make sure there is adequate space for air to circulate freely.
- Use plants to hide it. Just be sure to leave enough distance around the cabinet to prevent branches or vines from getting in the vents. Prune the plantings as needed to maintain that distance.
- Never paint the cabinet as it may elevate interior cabinet temperatures and cause damage.
4. Maintain Your Aeration System
For all equipment, from appliances to HVAC, the two most important things to do once you start using it are to check it regularly for signs of problems that may pop up and follow a regular maintenance schedule as outlined in your owner’s manual.
Whether you follow these recommendations yourself or hire a professional, properly installed and maintained lake or pond aeration systems should keep your waterbody healthier for years to come and protect your warranty.
Keep Your Lake or Pond Aeration System Healthy
Vertex Aquatic Solutions, founded in 1977, is the professionals’ choice for research based scientific consulting services, aeration systems, floating fountains, bubble curtains and biological products to enhance water quality in lakes, ponds, canals, marinas and reservoirs. As respected leaders in the lake management industry the Vertex team of aquatic biologists, limnologists, fisheries scientists and engineers work together to deliver science-based, environmentally sound solutions to complex waterbody issues. Our products and services are delivered through an international network of qualified, experienced waterbody professionals who provide local support, service and pond management expertise to customers.
← Previous