Decorative fountains are
primarily for display.
They provide a limited
amount of aeration. Most
manufacturers offer a
variety of spray
patterns and pump sizes.
Lighting kits can add
even more enhancement to
the fountain display at
night. Best pick for
consumers that are
interested mostly in a
visual display.
Surface
aerators provide both
display and aeration.
Although not as
efficient as bottom air
diffusers, they will
provide a moderate
amount of oxygen
exchange. These are the
tool of choice for
emergency aeration
during an active fish
kill. The visual
appearance varies from a
heavy churning to an
elevated spray pattern.
Best pick for those who
would like both aeration
and a visual feature.
The
most efficient system is
the bottom air diffuser.
It consists of an air
pump that moves air
through a diffuser
located on the bottom of
the lake. The air
bubbles create a
vertical current, moving
low oxygen water up from
the bottom and
eliminating the
stratification of the
water column. This will
prevent fish kills
associated with ponds
“turning over” during
the summer and fall.
Best pick where water
quality management is
the main concern.
