Thanks for the info. I'm investigating a system for a 1 acre fishery. I'm slightly confused at your logic that appears to contradict my research, so I'd appreciate some clarification please. When it comes to aeration, all the reports I've read suggest that you will require twice the power to get the same dissolved O2 using diffusers compared to surface aerators. That's assuming the pond is within the limited range of depth where a diffusers work reasonably well, else you may require four times more power for the same dissolved O2. As you said, you need the aeration at night, so require battery storage, not direct drive during the day when the natural oxygen cycle makes the water well oxygenated and possibly saturated. So, if you use diffusers during the night, you'd need twice the panels & battery storage capability to mitigate the poor diffuser aeration performance. Furthermore, on the warmest of days, fish may prefer to shelter, but a diffuser during the day would force the fish into warmer moving water.
Howdy again...I actually replied to your latest comment before finding this one. Working with solar changes things a little too...again, like I mentioned previously, a lot depends on the ponds depth, current DO levels, etc, and i think solar adds another dimension into this too. Simple fact is it takes less energy to run a diffused aerator compared to a surface aerator which uses a motor and not a pump. In some cases you simply do the best you can and not get too hung up on optimum DO levels. If you can afford to power a surface aerator that's a great option, especially in shallow waters, or places where mixing the water too much (think super hot conditions and medium depth ponds) can lead to overheating. In those cases limited mixing in the upper part of the pond is better for protecting fish. The species of fish also may be a factor in what is chosen to aerate too. There are lots of nuances to this and to really get the best aeration for a particular case you want to dig into a number of things and iron that all out. Diffused aeration has been used in tons of ponds for great benefit to fish and the environment. In many commercial fish ponds, and fisheries, surface aeration is typically used because the fish loads are much higher and the oxygen demand much greater. I hope this is helpful in some way for you.
Just acquired some acreage with a one acre pond. Don't know how deep it is yet, but I think the direct drive solar is going to work, based on your info.
@@klmponds Thanks. I think I will. My son in law's purchase, but I'll be living there and managing the joint. He wants it to not smell and I want some fish! We'll talk. We want the sunken aeration and a floating fountain with leds'. I wanted direct drive for the diffuser, but the night time fountain will need batteries.
people have perfected small solar powered operations that would easily work for aerating a pond during night hours. Solar cells store power in a 12v marine battery or 6v motorcycle battery through inverters, timers and a means to regulate the power flow in and out of the system. a windmill connected to a boat motor prop and small airline would be better than nothing
Hi Grant...yes, very doable on the diy side as mentioned. Problem is commercially right now, at least in the main aeration market, one company owns a patent on full time solar (with battery backups for overnight) that the other companies appear to have no interest infringing upon. In time, there will likely be a workaround of sorts, but this is making commercial full time solar pretty limited. So I stand by my stance that DIY of some sorts is the way to go. Direct drive solar is second best...and as you noted, even a windmill would be better than nothing. Thanks for the comment.
I am wanting a direct drive solar system that I can't seem to do affordable. Located in Indiana. Researching diy options . 15 ft deep pond 200' diameter pond. Recommendations and sales sources would be greatly appreciated.
Hey Monica...thanks for the comment. So the tough part about this for me is the solar side. I don't have anyone I can really recommend on parts or supplies because I haven't really vetted anyone out enough as yet. The aeration part is easy really, in that your pond is about an acre in size and at 15' deep you'd only need something like a 1/4 HP rocking piston compressor and a single diffuser. Wired to 115v the compressor would draw around 2.5 amps or so and that is usually what is used to figure out the solar end of things. Ie, how many watts you'd need on the solar side. Most of these pumps are going to be wired for AC so you'd need an inverter in the mix too...I can say that much. In terms of the aerator parts...and I'm sharing this mainly as an example, although if you wanted to get this kit it would have what you would need to cover that side of things...pump, airline, diffuser, and possibly a cabinet to protect the pump or use a structure you build yourself. americanaeration.com/sentinel-1-4-hp-aeration-system/ Hope this helps for you in some way.
Hi Mark - we are writing an article about solar aeration. I thought you have some great information. Would you mind if we included a link to this video in our article?
Great question. Normally in very cold climates...in our case upper Michigan would be an example...we did have a customer who's lines clogged with condensation ice one winter. Pump get's hot when it runs, then you can get some condensation in the airlines. The remedy for this is to insulate the exposed airline, as it comes out of the cabinet and before going into the ground, with some foam pipe insulation or something similar. This took care of the problem and he has not run into the issue since doing that.
@@bm3334 agm battery 200oo used 320w solar panel 120oo 200 ft black air hose 190oo all in one 1000w inverter/charger 320oo (I know overkill but can add Fountain later) air pump 280oo diffusers 35oo (they suck built better ones outta pvc don't clog anymore) weather tite box 75oo the rest is miscellaneous
We can schedule that. Send me a note through the website here: americanaeration.com/contact/ Include your phone # and a good time on Monday to call and I'll get with you. I'm in central time and can get with you after 10am here. Mondays are typically quite busy so its better if we schedule something. Thanks!
Thanks for the info. I'm investigating a system for a 1 acre fishery. I'm slightly confused at your logic that appears to contradict my research, so I'd appreciate some clarification please.
When it comes to aeration, all the reports I've read suggest that you will require twice the power to get the same dissolved O2 using diffusers compared to surface aerators.
That's assuming the pond is within the limited range of depth where a diffusers work reasonably well, else you may require four times more power for the same dissolved O2.
As you said, you need the aeration at night, so require battery storage, not direct drive during the day when the natural oxygen cycle makes the water well oxygenated and possibly saturated.
So, if you use diffusers during the night, you'd need twice the panels & battery storage capability to mitigate the poor diffuser aeration performance.
Furthermore, on the warmest of days, fish may prefer to shelter, but a diffuser during the day would force the fish into warmer moving water.
Howdy again...I actually replied to your latest comment before finding this one. Working with solar changes things a little too...again, like I mentioned previously, a lot depends on the ponds depth, current DO levels, etc, and i think solar adds another dimension into this too. Simple fact is it takes less energy to run a diffused aerator compared to a surface aerator which uses a motor and not a pump. In some cases you simply do the best you can and not get too hung up on optimum DO levels. If you can afford to power a surface aerator that's a great option, especially in shallow waters, or places where mixing the water too much (think super hot conditions and medium depth ponds) can lead to overheating. In those cases limited mixing in the upper part of the pond is better for protecting fish. The species of fish also may be a factor in what is chosen to aerate too. There are lots of nuances to this and to really get the best aeration for a particular case you want to dig into a number of things and iron that all out. Diffused aeration has been used in tons of ponds for great benefit to fish and the environment. In many commercial fish ponds, and fisheries, surface aeration is typically used because the fish loads are much higher and the oxygen demand much greater.
I hope this is helpful in some way for you.
Thanks for giving such useful information.
Just acquired some acreage with a one acre pond. Don't know how deep it is yet, but I think the direct drive solar is going to work, based on your info.
Hey Jeff...I would say so....once you get the depth confirmed, let me know and I can suggest something that would fit best.
@@klmponds Thanks. I think I will. My son in law's purchase, but I'll be living there and managing the joint. He wants it to not smell and I want some fish! We'll talk. We want the sunken aeration and a floating fountain with leds'. I wanted direct drive for the diffuser, but the night time fountain will need batteries.
people have perfected small solar powered operations that would easily work for aerating a pond during night hours. Solar cells store power in a 12v marine battery or 6v motorcycle battery through inverters, timers and a means to regulate the power flow in and out of the system. a windmill connected to a boat motor prop and small airline would be better than nothing
Hi Grant...yes, very doable on the diy side as mentioned. Problem is commercially right now, at least in the main aeration market, one company owns a patent on full time solar (with battery backups for overnight) that the other companies appear to have no interest infringing upon. In time, there will likely be a workaround of sorts, but this is making commercial full time solar pretty limited. So I stand by my stance that DIY of some sorts is the way to go. Direct drive solar is second best...and as you noted, even a windmill would be better than nothing. Thanks for the comment.
You should look at the dugout dude. Solar power to aerate at a fair cost
Very helpful Adam...thanks for the suggestion!
just bought one .,.,.
This video read my mind
I am wanting a direct drive solar system that I can't seem to do affordable. Located in Indiana. Researching diy options . 15 ft deep pond 200' diameter pond. Recommendations and sales sources would be greatly appreciated.
Hey Monica...thanks for the comment. So the tough part about this for me is the solar side. I don't have anyone I can really recommend on parts or supplies because I haven't really vetted anyone out enough as yet. The aeration part is easy really, in that your pond is about an acre in size and at 15' deep you'd only need something like a 1/4 HP rocking piston compressor and a single diffuser. Wired to 115v the compressor would draw around 2.5 amps or so and that is usually what is used to figure out the solar end of things. Ie, how many watts you'd need on the solar side. Most of these pumps are going to be wired for AC so you'd need an inverter in the mix too...I can say that much. In terms of the aerator parts...and I'm sharing this mainly as an example, although if you wanted to get this kit it would have what you would need to cover that side of things...pump, airline, diffuser, and possibly a cabinet to protect the pump or use a structure you build yourself.
americanaeration.com/sentinel-1-4-hp-aeration-system/
Hope this helps for you in some way.
Hi Mark - we are writing an article about solar aeration. I thought you have some great information. Would you mind if we included a link to this video in our article?
Howdy...no problem at all. And thank you for getting in touch!
Will aerator lines freeze in winter if the pumps arnt running ? Gets -35c in alberta sometimes
Great question. Normally in very cold climates...in our case upper Michigan would be an example...we did have a customer who's lines clogged with condensation ice one winter. Pump get's hot when it runs, then you can get some condensation in the airlines. The remedy for this is to insulate the exposed airline, as it comes out of the cabinet and before going into the ground, with some foam pipe insulation or something similar. This took care of the problem and he has not run into the issue since doing that.
Thanks for the info
I just did a solar panel battery inverter with two diffusers for 1200oo
That's great Doug! Hope it gives you excellent results!
Can you elaborate on which components you use? I'm looking at something similar and looking for ideas. Thanks.
@@bm3334 agm battery 200oo used 320w solar panel 120oo 200 ft black air hose 190oo all in one 1000w inverter/charger 320oo (I know overkill but can add Fountain later) air pump 280oo diffusers 35oo (they suck built better ones outta pvc don't clog anymore) weather tite box 75oo the rest is miscellaneous
I have a 50x50 foot pond. 1/16 acre maybe, not big. I wanna use it as a swimming hole type thing. Maybe 5-7 foot deep. What would you suggest?
Hi BogDaddy...so I'm assuming you are asking about solar aeration? No power close to the pond?
Want to talk to you direct
We can schedule that. Send me a note through the website here: americanaeration.com/contact/
Include your phone # and a good time on Monday to call and I'll get with you. I'm in central time and can get with you after 10am here. Mondays are typically quite busy so its better if we schedule something. Thanks!