Contents
Owning a small pond is a multi-faceted project that involves attention to different types of detail.
Introducing animals to the pond adds even more things for you to consider, like making sure there is sufficient oxygen-rich water running through the pond to keep your animals healthy. Besides, stagnant water often has low dissolved oxygen content, which can be harmful to your creatures.
At that time, aerating your pond will help maintain the natural ecosystem of your pond.
The majority of man-made ponds are closed bodies of water that don’t include a natural inlet or outlet for water. Thereby, the water might get stagnant and dirty rapidly.
This post will recommend the best small pond aerators, which will narrow your search and hand you a good idea of what aerator suits your requirements.
Why Should You Aerate Your Pond?
Backyard ponds cover a far more dense population of oxygen consumers compared to natural lakes. Most of the oxygen that naturally comes into your pond is used up during the bacteria and chemical processes that operate to keep the pond balanced and clean.
Fish byproducts and other organic matter accumulate on the bottom and create a sludge layer. Microorganisms on the pond’s bottom absorb this organic matter and use up the available oxygen.
Plants and algae inhale oxygen during nighttime. Koi, goldfish, and other air-breathing pond critters also use oxygen.
Without the aid of man-made aeration, there won’t be sufficient oxygen to address the requirements of all the aquatic life.
How Do Pond Aerators Work?
Fountains and waterfalls are primarily for aesthetic purposes but do slightly improve the dissolved oxygen by agitating the water surface. Surface agitation allows oxygen to dissolve into the water.
Pumping air into the pond’s bottom is the most energy-saving and efficient way to aerate a pond. Aeration kits consist of an air pump and an air diffuser device. The diffuser will be put on the bottom of the pond.
Compressed air from the air pump is drawn via an airline and down to the diffuser. The air bubbles get out via the diffuser and rise to the surface. As air bubbles are created at the bottom, they will naturally travel towards the water surface. When the air bubbles rise to the surface, a slight current starts to grow.
The current will pull oxygen-removed water from the bottom, oxygenates it, and take it to the water surface. As the air bubbles get to the pond’s surface, there appears a gentle “boiling” motion. This motion will circulate the water and also brings harmful gases such as carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide (rotten egg odor) out of the pond water.
Benefits of Pond Aerators
The key function of aeration is to bring dissolved oxygen to your pond. Air is pushed via tubing to a diffuser by using an electric pump. This results in a column of bubbles traveling from the diffuser to the water surface.
This process allows much necessary oxygen into the water and also removes carbon dioxide.
It also makes your stagnant pond water move. When the bubbles rise to the surface, they generate lift. This makes water at the pond’s bottom rise upward with the bubble and then circulate back towards the bottom.
The water circulation is significantly helpful for some reasons:
- Hinders algae bloom
- Slows down pond stratification
- Prevents ice from forming in winter
Raised water flow can help hamper algae growth because spores will be carried away from the surface, leaving them less time in the sunlight they need to develop.
As pond water often doesn’t circulate, it will become stratified. That means it tends to get warm and oxygen-rich at the top, and colder and completely lacking oxygen at the bottom. Thereby, fish cannot swim in deeper areas because there is no oxygen for them to breathe.
The water circulation that appears from aeration will maintain the water all combined together and prevent it from getting stratified. This allows your fish to use the whole pond rather than the higher layers.
If your living area often experiences freezing temperatures in the winter, your whole pond can freeze over, cutting off oxygen to the water and killing your animals.
Having an aerator during the winter months will prevent ice from forming directly overhead and provide your fish with a safe environment to overwinter.
Related post:
7 Most-Trusted Aerators for Small Pond
1. Kasco Marine Surface Aerator
Kasco belongs to Living Water Aeration Corporation which has a success story of 50 years. It has been a leading company in designing the best pond aerators.
This is an ideal small pond aerator with a high-efficiency design, which ensures low power compensation and low running costs. The device utilizes a single open propeller that generates and pushes water droplets into the air, letting effective transfer of oxygen to the pond water. Plus, agitation and movement triggered by the process help distribute the oxygenated water across the body of the pond.
Thanks to its heavy-duty motor and excellent corrosion-resistant design, the Kasco Marine Surface Aerator can be used for both freshwater and saltwater or other corrosive environments.
The compressor of this small pond aerator contains 1/2 HP with a 5 amp pond air pump. It will make your pond clean and clear of algae within several weeks.
Benefits
- Suitable for event corrosive environments
- Provide a high rate of airflow
- Built with durable stainless steel
Drawbacks
- High price
- Produce some noise
2. Airmax KoiAir Mini Water Garden Aeration Kit
Airmax Koi Air Aeration Kits are a comprehensive aeration product, including everything necessary to introduce aeration to your pond.
Perfect for aerating your small pond, the robust, energy-saving dual-diaphragm pump provides your pond with fresh air while the membrane diffuser plate promotes optimal oxygen uptake.
Besides, the EasySet Weighted Airline stays submerged at the pond’s bottom even if filled with air. It is free from puncture and kicks so that you can have a prolonged-lasting guarantee. The weighted airline is enough for your pond oxygenation.
This is an absolutely energy-effective pond aeration solution with a whisper-silent operation.
Benefits
- Free from every type of irritating sound
- Simple installation
- Energy-saving
Drawbacks
- Some customers reported that the device stopped working in the heat of summer.
3. Airmax CrystalClear Pond Aerator Kit
Enhancing circulation and bringing valuable oxygen to your pond is an integral element to gaining transparent water and healthy fish and plants.
Another product from the Airmax brand – the CrystalClear Pond Air helps increase oxygen levels from the bottom up for a balanced ecosystem, offering more effective filtration and protection during the winter.
This device is impeccable for decorative ponds. You simply turn a dial to adjust the aeration output to satisfy the requirements of your pond. There are two stones supporting aeration for up to 1,000 gallons of water.
Moreover, this small pond aerator is designed for 24/7 operation. Whisper-quiet operation won’t bother the tranquility of your pond, while the significantly effective diaphragm compressors ensure low-cost aeration.
Importantly, this is a complete aeration kit, including compressors, round blue air stones, airlines, check valves, and a 6-foot power cord.
Benefit
- Include a robust compressor
- Unique design
- Cost-effective aeration
- Able to adjust the aerator output
Drawbacks
- Some customers reported about its durability.
4. TetraPond Aerator
The TetraPond Air Pump Kit is a great small pond aerator, providing a wintertime survival solution in freezing temperatures.
The kit consists of 30 feet of air tubing with air stones porous objects that eventually release small bubbles, raising the oxygen in the water. The air pump takes in air and compresses it. Compressed air then gets out of the air stones in the pond to bring beneficial oxygen.
Although the air pump has been made for ponds up to 5,000 gallons, the aerator might work better with ponds of 500-2,000 gallons. This is true if you keep koi or a large number of goldfish in your pond. The pump does supply a considerable level of oxygenation, but for a dense fish pond or bigger ponds, you should choose a more powerful product.
That being said, the TetraPond device is still an excellent item for most ponds and can operate throughout the year.
Benefits
- Fairly strong pump
- Work in winter months
- Simple installation
Drawbacks
- Not ideal for larger ponds
5. Laguna Small Pond Aeration Kit
The Laguna Small Pond Aerator has been designed to keep your pond ecosystem in proper conditions, regardless of the temperature, weather, or season.
Operating with an airstone to regulate the flow from its 30-foot air pipe and pump, the device ensures high effectiveness and quiet operation.
Thanks to its unique technology, this small pond aerator can improve water quality during cold months, preventing the pond water from completely freezing. The model allows for proper oxygen and gas exchange needed for fish to live healthily.
In addition, the kit comes with a range of accessories, including a robust aeration pump, an air diffuser, air tubing, a high-density styrofoam float for changing air stone depth.
Benefits
- Able to work all year round
- Provide a variety of necessary accessories
Drawbacks
- Only ideal for smaller ponds
6. iYeHo Oxygen Pump
If you’re an environmentally-conscious consumer, you will love the iYeHo pond aerator.
This device has been upgraded with three different modes, including Energy-saving mode, Intermittent mode, and Continuous mode. The two airflow outlets make the air spread equal and pervasive.
The model stands out from the competition because it comes with a highly competent solar panel. There is a built-in 4000mAh battery pack for storing energy, which enables the pump to work through the night.
The iYeHo is especially proper for the power cut emergency oxygen rising, the wild fish oxygen rising, and aquatic transportation oxygen rising.
What’s more, it is also easy to install the unit. You just need to place the air stones in the water and install the solar panel. Then, the pump will begin to work in several seconds when exposed to enough sunlight. Plus, with its small size and lightweight, you can move or carry the aerator conveniently, particularly for fishing.
The package contains a stable noiseless oxygen pump, 50dB low-noise oxygen pump, 2 air stones, 2 soft hoses, and counterflow valves.
Benefits
- Reasonable price
- Solar-powered and environment-friendly
- Provide three different modes for time scheduling
- Come with a rechargeable battery backup
- Easy installation
Drawbacks
- Not ideal for larger ponds
- Performance depends on weather conditions.
7. Aquascape 75000 Pond Air 2
Quick to set up and simple to use, the Aquascape Aerator kit will oxygenate your pond efficiently.
The unit comes equipped with two- and four-outlet options, with an aerator pump placed above the ground and two or four aeration discs placed in your pond.
Additionally, this small pond aerator provides years of hassle-free operation and offers everything necessary. It consists of a powerful outer housing, a thick rubber gasket that helps lower vibration and noise, and a wide, flat base that makes it stable and easy to position.
Every process that occurs in the pond will depend on oxygen, especially crucial at night as plants don’t convert sunlight into oxygen. Besides, dissolved oxygen levels are lower in warmer water temperatures. The Aquascape aerator oxygenates your small pond, supporting all biological processes and building a more stable habitat for your fish and plants.
Benefits
- Quiet and high energy-saving
- Easy to use and maintain
- Sturdy outer housing
- Include winter resistant airline, weighted air stones, and preassembled check valves
Drawbacks
- Required to be protected from the elements
How to Pick a Pond Aerator?
Pond Size
Not all ponds are built equal, and neither are all pond aerators.
As usual, aerator kits show the number of gallons they are rated for.
In case the aerator doesn’t indicate how many gallons it can handle, you can find a CFM (cubic feet per minute) rating. For example, a CFM output of 0.1 will be adequate for a small pond.
Pond Depth
The depth of your pond also matters. The deeper the water, the more pressure it takes to get the air out of the diffuser.
If your pump isn’t strong enough, it cannot push through sufficient air to efficiently aerate your pond. And if the pump is too weak, it cannot fight against the water pressure enough to give off any bubbles at all.
Pond Shape
The shape of your pond creates a difference in terms of aeration, specifically, whether you can get away with just a diffuser or if you will two or more.
A round pond will need only one diffuser in the middle. Provided that the aerator pumps adequate air, it will form a current that circulates the water in every area of the pond.
However, if a pond has a strange shape, it’s possible for there to be dead parts with no circulation. Then you will have to add various diffusers to keep the water in these spots moving. Therefore, it’s a good idea to go with an aerator that contains many outlets rather than just one.
Quick Compare of Best Small Pond Aerators
| # | Product Name | Image | Price | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kasco Marine Surface Aerator |
| $$ | Buy on Amazon! |
| 2 | Airmax KoiAir Mini Water Garden Aeration Kit |
| $$ | Buy on Amazon! |
| 3 | Airmax CrystalClear Pond Aerator Kit |
| $ | Buy on Amazon! |
| 4 | TetraPond Aerator |
| $ | Buy on Amazon! |
| 5 | Laguna Small Pond Aeration Kit |
| $ | Buy on Amazon! |
| 6 | iYeHo Oxygen Pump |
| $$ | Buy on Amazon! |
| 7 | Aquascape 75000 Pond Air 2 |
| $ | Buy on Amazon! |
That’s all information about the best small pond aerators. These options have good performance, increasing the oxygen levels in the water and keeping your pond healthy.
Before pulling the trigger, remember to weigh out the pros and cons of each option and find out the most suitable for your backyard pond.
Believe us. A pond aerator is such a good value money investment. It won’t make you disappointed.
Read more:
