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SubSurface Diffusers for Open Water

March 15th, 2021 | Posted by LadyNerkle1 in Winter Wake by SubSurface Diffusers - (Comments Off on SubSurface Diffusers for Open Water)


SUBSURFACE CIRCULATING AERATOR SYSTEMS
Work by STREAMING AIR BUBBLEs.

DeIcing Pond Lake SubSurface Diffuser

To Enlarge Images – Right Click Image then Open in a New Tab.

The Air-Bubble Streams Circulate Water from the Lower Pond
and Improves the Oxygen to a Pond’s Lower & Upper Levels.

DeIcing Pond Lake SubSurface Diffuser

During the Winter, Movement of Circulating Water Inhibits Surface Freezing on Pond and Lakes. Waterfowl-Swans NEED an Open Water Area.

DeIcing Pond Lake SubSurface Diffuser

From July 2015 to May 2017, our Swans were Living
on a Lovely Country Pond with an Island.

DeIcing Pond Lake SubSurface Diffuser
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We tried using a Submersible Pump Set-up the First Winter – 2015-2016.
It Worked.. but, the Debris that Drains into this Pond meant the Pump Needed to be Cleaned Frequently. NO FUN when it is Very Cold.

DeIcing Pond Lake SubSurface Diffuser

And there is an Electric Cord in the Water..
I have Never been Comfortable with Electric Cords being in the Water..
Due to the Risk of Electric Leakage. The Electric Box is a GFCI.

 GFCI Receptacles are Required where a Water Source is Present.
For All Locations that are Wet or Damp – Rain, Fog, Snow, Ice, etc.

DeIcing Pond Lake SubSurface Diffuser

This was their First Winter on this Pond.. Lots to Learn..
Our Swans found the Inflow Drain Pipe Water was Warmer..
The Pipe Runs through the Earth and Warms the Water !! Smart Swans.

DeIcing Pond Lake SubSurface Diffuser

By the Spring of 2016, I knew we wanted to Seek Another System.
The Submersible Pump kept a Large Open Area.. in One Place.
Our Swans were Confined to this One Open Water Location for Months.

DeIcing Pond Lake SubSurface Diffuser

In Early Summer of 2016, I Researched Bubble Aerators-Diffusers.
I Read Every Website I could Find. (Several Times.)

POND & LAKE Aeration Explained.. Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQNQ6fefhFQ

Several of the Ponds we had Visited have Bubble Diffusers.
I asked Questions about their Experiences.. Gathered Info.

DeIcing Pond Lake SubSurface Diffuser

The TWO Main Problems.. THE Compressors Vibrate – Hum..
Mounting them on any House Structure or Deck was Annoying.

If the Compressor was Mounted by the House..
Then the Weighted Air Hose had to be VERY LONG..and Buried.. Not Ideal.
Over Time 3-5 Years the Hose may need to be Replaced.

Having a Sturdy Structure Close to the Pond to House or Mount
the Compressor seemed Better. .. if Possible.

DeIcing Pond Lake SubSurface Diffuser

Second Common Complaint, the Hose Clamps that came with the Units did not Hold.
The Air Hoses would Pop Off due to the High Air Pressure..

DeIcing Pond Lake SubSurface Diffuser

As I was Checking Various Things OnLine this Week.. (March 2021)
I Found MANY DIY YouTube Videos.. of Folks Sharing their Installations.
And Some of their Handy Tips.. LOTs of Helpful Ideas and Advise.

DeIcing Pond Lake SubSurface Diffuser

Air-Oxygen is Blown Through a Weighted Hose to a
Diffuser Unit Positioned on the Pond or Lake Bottom.

This is the WebPage – YouTube Video I Found Helpful.
Kasco Marine Robust Aire Instructional Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rQOBhraCHc

Everytime I Looked for a More Dependable System.
This KASCO Robust-Aire RA3 was the System I kept coming back to.
Since the Fall of 2016.. There are Many more Brands
and Styles of SubSurface Diffuser Systems.

DeIcing Pond Lake SubSurface Diffuser

Air Bubble Diffusers Systems Require an Air Compressor
– Located on a Sturdy Structure. Or Housed InSide with Lots of Air Space.

Many Compressor have Cabinets Available to Protect the Units OutSide.
They have a Key/Lock to Help Prevent Tampering..

DeIcing Pond Lake SubSurface Diffuser

I Liked the Idea of the Multiple Diffuser Systems.
This will Gently Circulation in Several Areas of the Pond.
We could Service Both Sides of the Island.

We Picked a THREE Diffuser Package with Compressor Cabinet.
KASCO Marine ..Robust-Aire RA3.

I did a Google Map OverView.. ( The Three White Ovals are our Swans. 🙂
Together We Planned where the Diffuser Units would be Most Effective..

DeIcing Pond Lake SubSurface Diffuser

A Small Stable Pond Boat was Strongly Suggested.

DeIcing Pond Lake SubSurface Diffuser

I could not Order the Equipment through KASCO. (Summer 2016)
I had to Work-Order through a Pond Service Company in Eastern PA.
They Placed the Order.. Everything was Delivered.

DeIcing Pond Lake SubSurface Diffuser

In the Fall of 2016, we had the Robust-Aire RA3 System (DIY) Installed
in the Lovely Pond with an Island, where our Swans were Living.

DeIcing Pond Lake SubSurface Diffuser

When I say “We”.. I was there. The Men who Love and Cared
for our Swans DID all the Hard Work.. a “DIY” Project.

I just Snapped these Images – a Record of the Project.

DeIcing Pond Lake SubSurface Diffuser

The Diffuser Units and Weighted Hoses will be DOWN 4 to 8 Feet.
To Weight the Diffusers.. a BAG of Landscape Pea Gravel is Needed.

DeIcing Pond Lake SubSurface Diffuser

The Only Thing I Changed were the Hose Clamps.. See Attached.
I Heard the Ones that Come with the Units are not Dependable.

DeIcing Pond Lake SubSurface Diffuser

One Swan Pond had the Hoses Pop Off Repeated.. Disconnecting the Hose from a Diffuser. These had to be Located by Diving and Feeling..
( Yep, having a Simple Location Buoy will be Added ! )

I Supplied a Dozen Stronger Hoses Clamps for all Hose Attachments..
SUBSTITUE HOSE CLAMPs ..SKU 100589
#12 Stainless Steel 1/2 Inch Band – Fits 1/2″ to 1/ 1/4 Diameter Hose

DeIcing Pond Lake SubSurface Diffuser

To Weight the Diffusers.. (For our Three Diffusers)
We Needed ONE Bag of Garden Landscape Pea Gravel.

DeIcing Pond Lake SubSurface Diffuser

If you do a Search for: .>>> YouTube Pond Aeration..
You will FIND Lots of Folks who Share their Experiences and Ideas..
More Videos Every Year.

  A Simple, Almost ZERO Cost Bouy
to Locate the Submersed Diffuser Units. 
 If you Buy Sports Drinks.. Enjoy the Product.. 
   SAVE the Bottle..DeIcing Pond Lake SubSurface Diffuser

Add the Sports Bottle Buoys just in case a Hose Comes OFF a Diffuser..
I Looked for Small Water Bouys. The Smaller Ones were 12 Inch Bright Red..
or 15 to 18 Inches – LONG White.

DeIcing Pond Lake SubSurface Diffuser

I did not want to see Anything on the Surface of this Peaceful Country Pond..
Just the Swans and their Busy Waterfowl Community.

DeIcing Pond Lake SubSurface Diffuser

The Bubble Diffusers are Weighted with Landscape Pea Gravel.
If you try to use the Hose to Pull a Diffuser UP ..
There is a BIG Risk it will Pull Apart…

DeIcing Pond Lake SubSurface Diffuser

Trying to Locate the Diffuser in the Settled Silt-Muck COULD be a Challenge..

DeIcing Pond Lake SubSurface Diffuser

Use the Rope Tied to a Bottle Buoy if you Need to Lift the Diffusers.
Over Time the Weighted Hose will Need to be Changed.. 3 to 5 Years. Maybe.
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A GREAT IDEA.. LOVE THIS.. MORE FUN
I Wish I had Thought of this.. But a Wonderful Swan Friend did ! 
DeIcing Pond Lake SubSurface Diffuser

A POND DUCK DECOY Tied to the Diffuser Unit.
This Allows Easy Location and Lifting if Necessary.. 

Diffuser for Winter Wake
These Decoy have a Wide Range of Types and Price.. 

DeIcing Pond Lake SubSurface Diffuser

The Protective Case on the Compressor has been Effective.
This System has Worked Flawlessly for 4+ Years.. 24/7 (As of March 2021)

DeIcing Pond Lake SubSurface Diffuser

Everything is READY – TIME to Put the Diffusers into the POND !

DeIcing Pond Lake SubSurface Diffuser
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These Gentlemen Worked Well Together.. Almost a Fun Project.

DeIcing Pond Lake SubSurface Diffuser
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YEAH ! ! The Diffuser C is About to be Placed.

DeIcing Pond Lake SubSurface Diffuser
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Diffuser B is Loaded into the Boat.. 🙂

DeIcing Pond Lake SubSurface Diffuser

No Need to Cut the Ropes to the Buoys Short.
An Extra Length will be Available for any Adjustments Needed in the Future
IF the Water Level Changes.

DeIcing Pond Lake SubSurface Diffuser

There was Very Little Rain in the Summer of 2016 to Fill this Pond…

DeIcing Pond Lake SubSurface Diffuser

The Bottles should be Under Water. Just Visible to Located the Diffusers.

DeIcing Pond Lake SubSurface Diffuser

Keep the Sports Bottle Buoy Rope Taunt and NO Loose Ends..
Tuck the Excess Rope Ends UP inside the Bottles.
There is NO Place to Tuck any Lose Rope with the Duck Decoys.. 

DeIcing Pond Lake SubSurface Diffuser

So the Nosey Birds do not get Tangled with them. OR CHEW Them..

DeIcing Pond Lake SubSurface Diffuser

And Diffuser A is Going into the Pond.. Successful Installation !

DeIcing Pond Lake SubSurface Diffuser

Thanks to the Gentlemen at this Pond.. This was a “DIY Project.”
These Men Worked Well Together. They did a Great Job.

DeIcing Pond Lake SubSurface Diffuser

The Deeper the Diffuser the Calmer the Surface will be. B is 8 Feet Deep.

DeIcing Pond Lake SubSurface Diffuser

The Diffuser C in about 4 Feet of Water.. More Bubbles on the Surface.

DeIcing Pond Lake SubSurface Diffuser
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Diffuser A – Not Sure of the Depth.. Maybe 4 Feet+.

DeIcing Pond Lake SubSurface Diffuser
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VERY IMPORTANT !!!
Once your Aeration Equipment is Installed..
BE SURE to Follow the Start-Up Instructions..!!!
DeIcing Pond Lake SubSurface Diffuser

This Winter Falling Leaves and Twigs will NOT Prevent Circulation !

DeIcing Pond Lake SubSurface Diffuser

Our Swans will have Several Areas of Open Water.

DeIcing Pond Lake SubSurface Diffuser

There is a Correlation between the Air Temperature,
the Depth of the Diffusers, the Pond Circulating Water and
the Size of the Opening the Bubble Duffusing Units will Keep Open..

DeIcing Pond Lake SubSurface Diffuser
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The COLDER the Air Temperature the Smaller the Liquid Opening..
A LONG Sustained Cold Spell will Test the Limit.

DeIcing Pond Lake SubSurface Diffuser
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The Moving Current did not Flow to the Bridge.. That Area Froze.

DeIcing Pond Lake SubSurface Diffuser

The One Side of the Pond, where Two Diffusers were Place.. GREAT Space !

DeIcing Pond Lake SubSurface Diffuser
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The Other Side of the Island had a Nice Size Open Area with One Diffuser.

DeIcing Pond Lake SubSurface Diffuser
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After the Winter of 2016-2017, I was Able to Estimate the Ice Free Areas
our Swans had for their Coldest Weather Safe Space.

DeIcing Pond Lake SubSurface Diffuser

Pond & Lake Aeration Explained (4 seasons)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEc0BBia6gs

Our Bubble Diffuser System is:
>>>> KASCO Marine Robust-Aire Diffusers RA3 System

THERE is NO ELECTRIC CORDs in the Water.. Just Weighted Air Hose.

DeIcing Pond Lake SubSurface Diffuser

Our SWANs WOULD NOT be Able to Chew on ANYTHING.

DeIcing Pond Lake SubSurface Diffuser
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KASCO® DE-ICERS To View these Links >>> Copy and Paste to Browser.
https://www.kasco-marine.com
https://www.canadianpond.ca/de-icer.html
https://www.kascomarine.com/products/aerators/

https://www.propondandlakes.com/kascomarineaerators.aspx
Nice Websites with Many Options.. and ***Info

I Believe KASCO has a Service to Assist you with Planning a System.
KASCO is a Very Good Product.. We have NO Complaints.

Kasco Marine is located in Prescott, Wisconsin.
Contact them by Phone or Email with any Questions
or Comments about Their Products. www.kascomarine.com
Address: 800 Deere Road, Prescott, WI 54021 USA
Phone: 1 (715) 262-4488 .. mail.sales@kascomarine.com

If you need to use Extension Cords – Run through PVC Conduit.
Be SURE your Cords are Safe for OutDoor Use.

DO NOT PLACE PLUG CONNECTIONS IN THE WATER ! !

NO Loops.. Swans LOVE to Pull at Cables and Ropes.
The Swans will Pick and Chew at Rope, Cords, Electric Cables, etc.

DeIcing Pond Lake SubSurface Diffuser

Just Streams of Bubbles to Wash their Faces and Bellies in.

Swan Pond Diffuser

In 2023-2024 there are SEVERAL BRANDs of Aeration Systems.

There are MORE Choices to Meet the Needs of Any Pond/Lake. 
Do Your Research.. and ASK Questions of Pond Specialists. 
DeIcing Pond Lake SubSurface Diffuser
By Next Spring this Pond will be Healthier.. 
AND there will be more Open Water in the Cold Winter Months.
DeIcing Pond Lake SubSurface Diffuser
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The GI Pond does not have DuckWeed, WaterMeal, or Algae..
There are NO UnderWater Plants.. SAV – Submerged Aquatic Vegetation.

DeIcing Pond Lake SubSurface Diffuser

NOT Sure Why.. Maybe it is the Colorful Swams of KOI..
The Turbidity is High.. only about 9-10 inches.. on Average.

DeIcing Pond Lake SubSurface Diffuser

Even after Heavy Rains that Flush the Pond, the Turbidity is High.
High Turbidity Prevents SunLight Penetrating to Allow Plant Growth..

DeIcing Pond Lake SubSurface Diffuser

We had the Pond Water Tested-Analysed.. Nothing Abnormal.

DeIcing Pond Lake SubSurface Diffuser

The Quality was Acceptable for Swimming.. Which was a Surprise !
There are LOTs of Wild Waterfowl that Frequent this Pond.

DeIcing Pond Lake SubSurface Diffuser

We were able to Visit the Swans about Once a Week.. (BIG Smile 🙂

DeIcing Pond Lake SubSurface Diffuser
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A High-Low Thermometer was Mounted by the Pond.

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To Date: We are into the March of 2021.
The Diffusers have Worked without Anyone Needing to Do ANY Cleaning.

DeIcing Pond Lake SubSurface Diffuser
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It was Funny to Watch the Swans Wash their Faces in the Bubble Streams.

DeIcing Pond Lake SubSurface Diffuser

Everything Changed Again During the Spring, Summer and Fall of 2017.

DeIcing Pond Lake SubSurface Diffuser

Now there are Young Cygnets on this Pond.. January 2018 was Bitter Cold.

DeIcing Pond Lake SubSurface Diffuser

These Young Swans did Very Well in the Open Water.

DeIcing Pond Lake SubSurface Diffuser

The Young Cygnets have Grown into Beautiful Swans.

DeIcing Pond Lake SubSurface Diffuser

Our Swans… Too Long a Saga to Tell here. They were Moved to a New Pond.
They had Developed WanderLust. We did what was Best for them..

Our Wonderful World of Swans Continues to Expand.. 🙂

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THE POND GUY.. >>> A Profile of your Pond is a FREE Service..
They have the AirMax Products. >>> https://www.thepondguy.com

https://www.thepondguy.com/contact_us
TECH SUPPORT & CUSTOMER CARE: Phone: 866-POND-HELP (766-3435)

Street Address: 15425 Chets Way Street – Armada, MI 48005

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This Page is from our Experience with One Bubble Diffuser System.
It was Installed October 2016.. and has Worked Non-Stop Flawlessly Since.
Complied by SwanLover Linda M.Sweger …MARCH 2021
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DeIcing Pond Lake SubSurface Diffuser