Question: “What is the difference between a water fountain and an aerating fountain?”
To aerate or not to aerate that is the question?! The answer is simple:
Answer: Perhaps because both aerators and fountains have the ability to create awesome water formations, it is a common misunderstanding for many to regard the two as synonymous. There is one major difference that completely sets the two apart though. Simply stated, aerators are primarily a water quality management tool that are used to correct poor water conditions and help maintain a healthy aquatic environment. Water fountains just look nice.
To really understand which will offer the most benefits to a pond, it is best to first understand a pond’s lifecycle. Water bodies like ponds and lakes are generally classified into three categories depending on their age and health. Scientifically speaking, the terms are: oligotrophic, mesotrophic and eutrophic. Basically, oligotrophic pertains to newer ponds, ponds that are clear and have low nutrient levels. On the other end of the spectrum are eutrophic ponds which are older, have high nutrient levels, are much murkier and experience severe algae growth. Somewhere in the middle lies the mesotrophic pond, which has characteristics of both.
To get from oligotrophic to eutrophic could take as long as 100 years or as little as 10. The speed of the aging process is based on the oxygen levels and the amount of nutrient loading in the pond. As nutrients (i.e. fertilizers, leaves, grass clippings, bird droppings) run off into the water body, bacteria work to metabolize or oxidize them. This is known as aerobic digestion. However, without enough oxygen, this process can not take place and an anaerobic (literally meaning “without oxygen”) condition arises. In this instance, fish-kills occur, and algae and aquatic weeds will absorb the excess nutrients and grow excessively, eventually causing cloudy and odorous water.
To clear up murky water and kill algae, many turn to harsh chemical applications. The negative effects of chemicals on the environment and also their high cost make their usage insidious. Fortunately, the introduction of an aerator during any stage of the pond’s lifecycle will either prevent or reverse the aging process in a natural, safe and cost-effective manner. It has no harmful side effects and supports the natural ecosystem.
To keep your pond healthy, aerators work to induce oxygen into the water which in turn encourages aerobic bacteria to clean the lake of organic nutrients. They also increase circulation which deters excess nutrients from settling on the bottom and creating a sludge layer. They accomplish these tasks by pumping high volumes of water at low pressure.
It is best to constantly run an aerator 24 hours a day for maximum benefit. The industry’s leading manufacturer of aeration systems designs aerators tailored to run 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, and offer a wide array of water patterns to aesthetically enhance your pond.
No matter what stage a pond may be in, installing an aerator will always be beneficial. While water fountains offer a nice pattern, an aerator does this and also improves the aquatic environment and water quality. There are three types of aerators, bottom diffused, horizontal aspirators, and surface spray aerators. Each type is generally more effective than the other in different situations and one can contact an Aeration Systems Specialist to learn more about which type is best suited for a specific situation.
