Aeration or Muckbuster?

[Newbie]

Hey everyone, I have a small pond in front of my house which we occasionally do a little fishing but mostly use for summer recreation. I've been looking into some options for managing the water quality to prevent algae blooms in the spring and into summer months. I've owned the property 2.5 years and have made some improvements but I believe the addition of an aerator would be tremendously helpful. Up to this point, all management has been with chemicals (primarily diquat) which works well but not a lasting solution. In addition, I'd like to keep it maintained with as little chemical intervention if possible. It is spring fed and 12ft deep, probably 1/4-1/3 of an acre surface area.

I was considering a surface aerator (I don't want a sub surface aerator because I'd love to see if at some point I could maintain a trout population in the pond and I don't want to push water from the cold depths to surface to warm). I was also looking at the "muck buster" from Scott Aerator because I think it would keep the dock area clear of muck and help promote microbial breakdown. I'm not sure if the muck buster does much for aeration however, due to being entirely submerged.

Either way, anyone have success with pond aeration or have any recommendations for products/companies they'd recommend? I'm open to creative solutions as well. Most of these products are about a $75 1hp submersible pump with a fan blade that's marked up to $1500 for special use marketing.

 

[roymunson]

I've used a powder/packet bacteria packet setup for my pond surrounded by woods that gets a lot of muck in it.

Also have used tilapia for algae growth and other cleanup stuff.

I think you're on the right track with the aeration, and if you don't want to flip cold water to the top, stay surface with your mechanicals. Good idea.

 

[Telemark]

I've heard of people use dye to block light from the plants, especially deep plants that might use up the oxygen in the colder layers at the bottom where you want trout to live.

 

[b116757]

What area of the country if your to far south there is no hope of carrying any trout through the summer months with only 12’.

 

[Newbie]

What area of the country if your to far south there is no hope of carrying any trout through the summer months with only 12’.

I’m in Northern PA. I took water temps in low 60s at about mid depth in the heat of the summer months last year. Spring fed as well, likely cooler at the bottom. I think my issue is aeration more-so than temperature