What You Need to Know About Pond Fountains and Aerators

1. WhatYouNeedtoKnow AboutPondFountainsand Aerators

2. Have you ever driven past a building and noticed a pond on the property? If so, have you also noticed any pond fountains? If you did, you have probably seen how these fountains add an exceptionally unique visual appeal to the pond. That is why they are seen in so many commercial and residential buildings. But who says looks are all that matters? Water flow adds to a pond’s visual appeal AND also allows the pond’s ecosystem to flourish. This is where pond fountains and aerators come in handy.

3. WhatdoPondFountainsandAeratorsDo? Stagnant water is, well, stagnant. Unfortunately, stagnant water does not always provide the optimum habitat for plants and fish life. When a fountain or aerator circulates water in the pond, it revitalizes the pond’s ecosystem. This movement offers several specific advantages, including increased water oxygenation and decreased presence of harmful bacteria and algae. HowarePondFountainsandAeratorsDifferent? The most fundamental differences between pond aerators and fountains point to the two functions of circulating water in the pond: aesthetic appeal and ecosystem support. A fountain is designed primarily for aesthetic purposes, with aeration and water movement taking a back seat. On the other hand, the focus of aerators is on restoring the pond’s ecosystem with visual appeal serving as a secondary function.

4. Just because a pond fountain is primarily designed for aesthetic reasons does not mean that it does not benefit the pond habitat. The “splashing” effect of a fountain—in which water shoots up and returns to the pond’s surface—aids in transferring gasses and mixing the water at the surface, supplying oxygen to the pond. Now, some fountains do a better job doing this than others, depending on the spray pattern—the finer the fountain spray, the better it will be inventing gases and mixing in oxygen. From an aesthetic standpoint, a pond fountain can be used with ponds of any depth. However, unless used with an aerator, they will be best suited for shallow ponds of 8 feet or less to provide any significant aeration advantage.

5. Pond aerators work in two ways—they can aerate the pond from the bottom up or only at the surface. Some surface aerators have a visually appealing spray pattern, similar to fountains. The key distinction is that an aerator’s display pattern is intended to promote optimal aeration and water mixing at the pond’s surface instead of the aesthetic appeal of a typical pond fountain. The pond’s depth can help you decide which aerator system is ideal for you, but a surface aerator is generally the best option if it is less than 8 feet deep. Air is pumped into aerators that aerate the pond from the bottom, causing air bubbles to form and rise to the surface. These aerators are ideal for deep ponds because they function across the entire water column.

6. Conclusion Pond fountains and aerators both provide significant benefits to a pond. Choosing the best one for your pond is as easy as identifying your needs. Regardless of which one you choose, however, the pond’s aesthetic and functional qualities will improve dramatically.