Where to buy a pond water aerator (floating surface aerator)

[thebears]

We're new to Hua Hin and not sure of the best place to source this item, although we see very many of them around. We want to buy an aerator to sit in a pond. I believe they are electric and essentially just increase the oxygen content.

We would also consider a fountain-style, which is undoubtedly more attractive, if indeed it serves the same purpose. Many thanks if you can help.

Floating surface aerator

aerator.jpg (130.9 KiB) Viewed 1936 times

[hhfarang]

A fountain is also much simpler and less expensive I would imagine... all you need is a submersible pump, a little PVC and whatever style of head you want on it to create the desired effect. I have a two meter waterfall into a small pond that is powered by a 1/8th hp submersible pump and it also powers two small fountain heads in the opposite end of the pond. Works well.

[thebears]

A fountain is also much simpler and less expensive I would imagine... all you need is a submersible pump

Thanks, it's kind of you to write back so quickly. Is the fountain likely to keep the pond as clean, in your opinion? The problem I've got is that over just a short period of time, grass cuttings and debris just sits on the surface of the water. It looks really quite ghastly.

Aside from this film of dirt on the surface, I believe the water is poorly oxygenated.

Where can I obtain the items you mention, hhfarang and get someone to install it? Because I cannot install it. The pond is several metres in depth and I wouldn't consider going into it.

[hhfarang]

The fountain itself will not keep the pond clean, only aerated for any fish you may have in it. Our pond has a three stage bio filter that the water circulates through to keep it clean. It consists of three cement tanks, 1st stage has little plastic balls with spikes on them that grabs the big stuff as the water is sucked through, 2nd stage has sheets of a fibrous filter material, from aquarium shops or the pet food/fertilizer store on Chomsin road that grabs the algae and smaller stuff. The third is the clean water chamber where the pump is that pumps the water back over the waterfall and through the fountain heads.

The intake to the first chamber from the pond is low beside the waterfall, the opening from the first to the second chamber is high so that the water is pulled upward through the plastic balls. Then the opening from the second chamber to the third is low so the water gets sucked downward through the filter material.

I have tried to contact the guy that built ours and he no longer seems to be around. There is an aquarium/pond place along the railroad tracks just north of Soi 88 who has some big fountain heads. You can see them from the road shooting water from a tank so he may have everything and know someone who can do the job.

Our pond is a fairly small Koi Pond so the filter I described keeps it clear enough to see the fish and the bottom, but it's only about a meter deep at the deepest part. I'm not sure our solution would work if you are talking about a much bigger pond with a much higher water volume. I'm sure the bio filter tanks would have to be much larger.

If you Google "koi pond bio filter" you will find lots of instructions to make different types of home made filters using different materials, but the three chamber one that we have has been working well for years. We also have a few potted water plants in the pond (they also add oxygen) and some Thai "sucker fish" that eat algae from the sides and bottom along with the Koi.

Still, the bio filter is mainly to keep the water clear and free of algae. If your pond has a lot of debris floating on the top and that will be a continuing problem, you will need some kind of skimmer like people use in swimming pools. Ours is small enough that we just keep leaves and larger items that float out of it by use of a net on a long pole.

[hhfarang]

thebears, I was thinking about this some more and realized that you are probably talking about a natural (earth bottom) pond. Our pond is a man made cement one. I'm not sure there is any way to keep a natural pond clean or clear, but one (or more, depending on the size of the pond) fountains would keep it aerated.

[thebears]

I'm not sure there is any way to keep a natural pond clean or clear, but one (or more, depending on the size of the pond) fountains would keep it aerated.

Yes, the pond has an earth bottom or at least may have been lined with clay or plastic, but was very long ago, before the land was developed.

I think, having considered this more, the fountain is unlikely to do the task, without installing a lot of them, given the size of the pond, because it is probably close to 1,600 sq.m. in size. It is at least 50m x 30m and very deep. It is not possible to touch the bottom with a long pole when going across it in a small boat, so in terms of water volume, it's very significant.

The floating surface aerator will be my best option I think because they can move a lot of water. I have seen quite a lot of them at hotels and restaurants. One place was at the Chom Talay Restaurant very close to Hua Hin airport. The restaurant is on the beach but has a pond between the car park and dining area. Staff are usually unable to help with questions on something like that. The other place where there are an abundance of them is Lumpini Park! I then recently stayed at Hilton Phuket and there was an enormous lake there, with one of the machines sitting in the middle. Obviously from time to time, one has to move the machine to a new position. But that's easy, because it's just tethered with four wires to the bank.

[PeteC]

They use those in the shrimp farming ponds all over the country as well. The ones I've seen move, so maybe on cables then self reverse. Pete

[barrys]

They use those in the shrimp farming ponds all over the country as well. The ones I've seen move, so maybe on cables then self reverse. Pete

That sprang to my mind as well Pete - there are quite a few prawn farms here in Paknampran that use these devices - might be worth going and asking there.

[thebears]

The ones I've seen move, so maybe on cables then self reverse. Pete

Heavens, that's starting to get very sophisticated. Next thing, we'll be able to control them remotely over the Web, from Bangkok!

Thanks for the note though, at least there must be somewhere to buy them, and hopefully not too expensive.

[PeteC]

Terry at Hua Hin Fishing Lodge has ponds that big or bigger. How do you keep yours fresh and clean Terry? Pete

[thebears]

Terry at Hua Hin Fishing Lodge has ponds that big or bigger.

Thanks for this reply the other day. As no reply has been forthcoming, could I ask if it is possible to contact Terry, or prompt him, if it's not too much to ask. Many thanks indeed.

[PeteC]

Terry at Hua Hin Fishing Lodge has ponds that big or bigger.

Thanks for this reply the other day. As no reply has been forthcoming, could I ask if it is possible to contact Terry, or prompt him, if it's not too much to ask. Many thanks indeed.

I believe he's out of the country at the moment but usually checks the forum on a regular basis. Regardless, go to the SPONSOR LIST at the right of any page and find Hua Hin Fishing Lodge. Open the page and you'll see his contact details. As an alternative, with 2 more posts ( when you get to 10) you can send him a PM directly. Pete

[Terry]

Don't need prompting, just need time to give a decent answer...........
Yep - in Hanoi right now, working my butt off for the HHFL expansion funds

I don't have an easy answer as my ponds depend on several elements to keep them clean.

1) Water supply comes from four sources

a) Rain
b) A very good natural groundwater supply on both ponds
c) A clean run off system for rainfall
c) A deep-water well for topping up the evaporation - provides aerated water during daylight hours as necessary

2) Recirculation of the pondwater in each pond including aeration by artificial rock fountains on both - during daylight hours

3) The ponds although constructed by myself, and hence are not natural, do have a natural lining of weed growth. This in turn gives off oxygen during the day time and some nitrogen at night - a natural process. The weed growth also supports small freshwater shellfish, prawn, crab and other 'pond life'

4) I have some varieties of fish that eat detritus (shite ) - Suckermouth Catfish, Sharptooth Catfish and others.

We also ensure that all bait used is clean and as far as possible non polluting.

We have also stocked the ponds to a sensible level whereby the fish stand a chance of living in a clean environment.
I've seen so many overstocked fishing ponds where the occupants almost die of lack of oxygen.

The above generally keeps the water in tip top condition

Finally - we DO have an aerator on the bottom pond. This is a a paddle type found on most prawn farms.

It is used in extreme cases when the oxygen levels get a bit low during the dry season. It is also brought into action to aerate water for a recently caught specimen fish - usually the Giant Mekongs

Don't have a photo of our aerator, but if you call in at the lodge and ask for Jit my baitman he can give you a demo and tell you where he bought it

[Terry]

You can see plenty of the simple 'paddle type' aerators in this video



Happy paddling

[thebears]

You can see plenty of the simple 'paddle type' aerators in this video

Thanks for all the information K. Terry, I appreciate you taking the time to reply back to me.

I think from what you describe, in your case you have the advantages of a ground well and a natural water supply, not to mention, a good design in the first place. In my case, I just have a large pond which needs its surface dirt cleaning off and oxygenating. It always looks nice when there's been a gust of wind, but then shortly after, all the debris starts to appear again.

I think the paddle aerator would be ideal because it would get rid of the top dirt - where can I get one?