Selecting A Pond Air Pump

A garden pond adds beauty and enjoyment to your outdoor space, but if not properly maintained, a pond can be difficult to sustain. Since garden ponds are man-made, and not part of a natural water system, the owner needs to ensure that the proper criteria are met for the healthiest environment for the plants and marine life in the pond. Fish and water plants, like their dry land counterparts, need a plentiful supply of oxygen to survive. A pond air pump serves to aerate the pond water to ensure the correct amount of oxygen is available.

Even in a man-made pond without an air pump, two processes help get oxygen into the water. The surface of the water picks up some oxygen from the air, and photosynthesis from the plant life produces some oxygen, but this is not reliable, even for low fish loads. At night, algae use some of the oxygen through respiration, depleting what they have produced during the day. In addition, warm summer days cause the water temperature to rise, and both the fish and the plants use more oxygen. Most garden ponds have a higher fish load than a natural pond, and thus require more oxygen.

Many homeowners think of a pond as not much more than a hole in the ground with a liner and water. In reality, it’s a miniature ecosystem, and needs the proper elements to thrive and survive. Koi ponds are so popular, yet not every owner thinks about installing a koi pond air pump, which is so helpful in avoiding fish kill. This differs from the normal type by being more heavy duty and is capable of pumping down to greater depths.

Air pond pumps get air down to the bottom of the pond. Air is about 23% oxygen. As the bubbles rise to the surface, they cause small currents in the water, allowing the oxygen-depleted water to circulate, rise to the surface and absorb oxygen. Bubbles burst, providing oxygen to the water for the plants, fish and bacteria. Yes, even the bacteria in the pond need oxygen to work their beneficial actions. The rising bubble also help to reduce sludge and build-up on the bottom of the pond as well as reducing harmful gasses such as carbon dioxide and methane.

Air pumps for ponds can be used with air stones and air diffusers to provide even more oxygen and help the bacteria flourish. The extra-tiny bubbles produced by the diffuser allows even more oxygen to get into the pond. The water will be cleaner, and the pond environment healthier for the fish and plants. Another thing you could have is a

Pond air pumps come in many sizes and brands. Size refers to features such as wattage and air-flow capability. Hakko, Pondmaster, SuperPond, Tetra, AirMax and Alita are a few of the well-known brands. The size of your pond, in gallons and depth, is used to calculate the size of the pump, the length of hoses and the number of air stones and diffusers needed for optimum health of the pond and fish.