Underwater Aeration
Underwater aeration is essential in creating a beautiful pond. While a waterfall and/or fountain certainly helps and is aesthetically pleasing, underwater aeration will keep your water much clearer.
Oxygen at the bottom will create an environment where the bacteria becomes aerobic instead of anaerobic.
Our bacteria is facultative, which means it works with or without air. But, it works much faster with oxygen. Plus, your fish will like the environment better. Algae also lives at the bottom and it will not do well in the turbulent water. Algae enjoys stagnant water to prosper.
Just place a submersible pump on the pond bottom and run it at least a few hours every day. Obviously the more the better, but be careful not to let it clog where it may burn out.
Underwater airstones also work well. See your local pond/water garden/nursery dealer or favorite pond website to purchase the proper pump for your specific amount of water.
So how much air do you need?
| Pond Volume in Gallons |
1000 |
2000 |
3000 |
4000 |
5000 |
6000 |
7000 |
8000 |
9000 |
10,000 |
Liters of air/min required to maintain
Dissolved Oxygen at Koi Safe Levels |
40 |
80 |
120 |
160 |
200 |
240 |
280 |
320 |
360 |
400 |
These numbers are intended as a guideline. Your application may vary according to stocking levels. (In general terms, 40lpm per 1000 gallons is a good rule of thumb.)
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Turbidity is a measure of the cloudiness of water- the cloudier the water, the greater the turbidity.
The importance of maintaining your bacteria colony.
Bacteria are the key ingredient in any biological filter.
Oxygen is essential in creating a beautiful pond.