The most important factor in ensuring the success of an aquaculture pond is proper aeration. It is what makes the difference between an unstable pond with nightly decreases in dissolved oxygen that can lead to fish kills, and a pond that never stresses fish and prevents most disease outbreaks.
Dissolved oxygen is a critical component in the production capacity of a pond. Typically, well aerated ponds can produce three to five times the amount of fish compared to ponds without supplemental aeration.
Deeper ponds without proper circulation have multiple layers of water, with each layer getting colder as it gets deeper. These dark bottom layers typically have little or no oxygen, which can decrease the amount of useable fish habitat and bottom-dwelling food sources (such as worms and crawfish). Another drawback to an oxygen-starved pond bottom is that organic debris (leaves, plant material, dead fish, etc.) are unable to properly decompose. This can result in an accumulation of black, smelly, anaerobic sludge that builds up over the years, making the pond shallower. Another drawback to heavily stratified ponds is that they are more susceptible to seasonal turnovers and subsequent fish kills.
When a pond has proper aeration and circulation, the layers in the pond are well mixed, and all zones of the pond have good oxygen levels, day and night. Organic debris can now decompose in a way that contributes to the available food base for your fish.
There are wide differences in the energy consumption of aeration systems and what is appropriate. Contact us to help you select the aerator that works best for your situation.
