Tips for Spring: When to Turn Your Aeration System Back On

Spring is here, and its time to turn your pond and lake aeration system back on, and start thinking about treatments again!

Adding aeration to your pond, lake, or dugout is highly recommended to help keep your system aerobic, which stimulates “good bacteria” to help break down nutrients and organics from accumulating in your pond, prevents odours, and clarifies the water. Aeration is crucial if fish are present in your pond, to ensure adequate oxygen levels, and prevent fish kills. For ponds, lakes, and dugouts that do not stock fish, running your aeration system becomes optional throughout the winter. In the winter your pond’s activities will significantly slow down as the biological component’s metabolic activities slow down or stop completely. In turn, the oxygen demand is typically reduced (in natural settings), and colder water is able to retain oxygen more. Therefore, many people choose to turn off their systems completely once the temperatures drop and ice begins to form.

*Note: if your aeration system does not have insulated airline installed, or your airline is not buried below the frost line leading into the pond, your system will need to be turned off once ambient air temperatures drop below freezing. This is to prevent ice buildup in the airline, which can result in a blockage and a build-up of back pressure on the compressor.

** Note: Running your aeration system throughout the winter can result in dangerously thin ice conditions. Never skate or walk on a frozen body of water that is aerated.

Our aeration systems require no winter maintenance or removal. The diffusers can remain in the pond (assuming ice formation cannot damage the diffuser), and the compressors can remain in their enclosed cabinets, or weatherproof shelter (when shelf mounted).

As simple as winterizing your system can be, you may be anxious to turn it back on once the weather warms up. We recommend turning your system back on, once the ice begins to thaw and break apart. The aeration system will help to quickly melt the rest of the ice.

Starting your aeration system early in the spring provides several benefits including:

• Improved dissolved oxygen levels
• Reduces spring odours
• Helps break down organic buildup from winter
• Improves water clarity
• Limits early-season algae growth

Once the ice has completely melted and the water temperatures reach 5-7 degrees Celsius, we do recommend starting your regular pond treatment again for the season!

Before turning your system back on in the spring you should always perform a system check. This check should include the following:

1. Visually inspect the compressor: check for damage on the unit and cord. Inspect the intake air filter and clean/replace it if needed. 
2. Inspect the cabinet to make sure it is free of debris, dust, dirt, or any moisture. Make sure the intake and outlet are free of any blockages.
3. Inspect the manifold and airlines coming off the compressor. Make sure they are tightly connected and secured with clamps, and that the hoses are not cracked or damaged. Before starting the compressor, make sure all the valves on the manifold are open.
4. Plug in the fan and confirm that it works. If the cooling fan has failed, contact sales@pondpro.ca. Do not start your system without a properly functioning cooling fan. 
5. Once the visual inspection is complete, plug in the compressor and fan into a GFCI outlet. Listen for unusual compressor noise durign start up.
6. With the compressor running, check the pressure gauge to confirm the system pressure is where it should be. NOTE: system pressures will usually be higher upon start up and may remain higher than normal for the first few minutes. This may be due to water in the airline. Monitor the system to make sure the system pressure does not exceed 35 psi. If the pressure does not drop to normal operating levels, or the pressure relief valve is popping continously, shut the compressor off and make sure all valves are open and the lines are not blocked. 
7. Once the check is complete and the compressor and fan are runnign smoothly, you can leave the system turned on! You have now successfully restarted your system for the season. 

If you have any questions regarding your aeration system or pond products, contact our experts at sales@pondpro.ca!