Surface Aerators
Pond Haven carries surface aerators and aerating fountains from Scott Aerator, Kasco, Airmax, Bearon Aquatics, and Outdoor Water Solutions, as an authorized dealer for all five. Units run from half-acre to five-acre ponds, in plain aerators, aerating fountains you can light at night, and solar models for ponds with no power line. If your pond runs deeper than about eight feet, a bottom diffuser is the better tool.
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Vanguard Fountains and Aeration
5 options
Vanguard Typhoon 3/4 HP Floating Display Aerator
from $1,079.10
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Vanguard Fountains and Aeration
6 options
Vanguard Pond Spa Surface Aerator / De-Icer
from $1,079.10
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Outdoor Water Solutions
2 to 3 HP
OWS Air-O-Lator Aquarian Commercial Surface Aerator
from $4,370.00
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Outdoor Water Solutions
1 to 5 HP
Outdoor Water Solutions Classic Series Electric Pond Aerator Fountain
from $3,095.00
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Outdoor Water Solutions
2 options
Outdoor Water Solutions 1/2 HP Aerify Electric Pond Aerator Fountain
from $1,895.00
Depth decides
Check your depth before your acreage
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a surface aerator and how does it work?
A surface aerator is a floating, motor-driven unit that pulls pond water up through an impeller and throws it across the surface, where it picks up oxygen from the air. It works at the boundary between air and water, driving oxygen into the top layer of the pond and circulating that water as it goes. It is one of the two main types of pond aerator, working from the top down, while a subsurface diffuser works from the bottom up.
What size do I need for my pond?
You size it by matching horsepower to your pond's surface acreage and depth. A half-HP unit covers up to about a half-acre, and the range runs up to 5 HP for ponds up to about 5 acres. Depth, pond shape, and fish load all shift the answer, so a deep pond, an irregular shape with coves, or a heavy fish stock pushes you toward the next size up. Surface units also need a minimum operating depth of roughly 15 to 26 inches to run properly, so very shallow water can rule them out.
How much does it cost to run one each month?
A half-HP unit is inexpensive to run around the clock, while a 3- to 5-HP unit costs noticeably more. Monthly running cost depends on the motor's horsepower, how many hours a day the unit runs, and your local electricity rate. Many owners run their units continuously throughout the summer, when oxygen demand is highest. Electric units also need a power line run out to the pond, so factor the one-time cost of that line into the decision alongside the monthly draw.
Does surface aeration mix the whole pond or only the top few feet?
Surface aeration mixes the top few feet of a pond, not the entire water column. It drives oxygen to the surface and turns over the upper layer, which is enough for shallow ponds of roughly 6 feet or less. Deeper ponds separate into a warm top layer and a cold bottom layer, and moving that cold deep water takes a bottom-mounted diffuser instead. On a pond deeper than 6 to 8 feet, a surface unit leaves the bottom largely untouched.
Do surface aerators help clear up green, algae-filled water?
Yes, surface aerators help clear green water, though they work best as one part of a fuller plan rather than on their own. Adding oxygen and keeping the surface moving discourages the still, stagnant conditions algae bloom in, and better oxygen speeds the natural breakdown of the muck and nutrients that feed the algae. In a pond taking heavy nutrient runoff, aeration reduces the problem but may not fully clear it until the nutrient source is addressed.
Will it keep my fish alive through a hot summer?
Yes, running one through summer nights helps keep fish alive by holding dissolved oxygen, the oxygen fish actually breathe from the water, up when it would otherwise crash. Warm water holds less oxygen than cool water, and on hot, still nights, oxygen can fall to lethal levels in the hours before dawn, when most summer fish kills occur. The unit has to be sized to your pond and fish load to keep up, so a heavily stocked pond needs enough horsepower to match.
What is the difference between an aerating fountain and a surface aerator?
The difference between an aerating fountain and a surface aerator is that a fountain throws a decorative spray pattern while oxygenating, whereas a plain surface aerator just agitates the surface for oxygen with no display. Both move and oxygenate the top layer of the pond, so the water-health benefit is similar. Pick a fountain when you want something to watch from the porch and light at night, and pick the plain aerator when function is all you need. This page carries both.
Is a solar surface aerator as effective as an electric one?
A solar unit is not as consistent as an electric one, because most solar aerators run only in daylight unless they carry a battery backup. Electric units run around the clock, including overnight, when pond oxygen drops to its lowest level. Solar earns its place when there is no practical way to run a power line out to the pond, and for that off-grid case it is the right tool. If steady overnight oxygen is the goal, an electric unit or a battery-backed solar one is the safer pick.
Can I run mine in winter?
No, you should pull it out of the pond before the water freezes, because ice can damage the float and the motor. For winter oxygen and to keep a hole open in the ice, pond owners switch to a bottom diffuser or a de-icer, which are built to run through the freeze. If you are not sure when to pull the unit, do it before the first hard freeze of the season.
Do surface aerators come with a warranty?
Yes, the surface aerators Pond Haven carries come with a manufacturer warranty, most often two to three years depending on the brand. Pond Haven is an authorized dealer for Scott Aerator, Kasco, Airmax, Bearon Aquatics, and Outdoor Water Solutions, so the warranty is the real manufacturer warranty and is supported by a team that knows the equipment and answers the phone. If a unit needs service, you are dealing with a pond company, not a drop-shipper.
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