What is Aeration?
“Aeration” is the term that we use to mean adding air to the water. Since air contains 22% oxygen, aeration adds oxygen to the water.
Aeration brings water and air in close contact by exposing drops or thin sheets of water to the air or by introducing small bubbles of air and letting them rise through the water. Dissolved gases are then removed from the solution and allowed to escape into the surrounding air.
So why aerate a Koi pond?
A Koi pond is more than a hole in the ground with a liner and some water. In order to have a healthy, dynamic pond environment you also need a biological filter, a source of aeration, a circulation pump and adequate space, or volume. It is important to note that all of these elements must work in harmony with one another.
The filtration system purifies the water of wastes, bacteria and other toxins. An aerator supplies air to the water so the fish will have oxygen and the water does not stagnate. The pump moves the water through the filter and aerator. This cycle is the lifeblood of a pond.
Water ponds, fish and oxygen … the big secret to Koi fish keeping.
We survive on this earth because we can breathe oxygen. Koi need oxygen and the beneficial bacteria that keep the water healthy, need oxygen.
Where should I add air?
Directly into the biofilter system as close a possible to where the bacteria are sitting. This is why vortex filters and Matala matting work so fantastically well together in any serious water ponds system …. but only by pumping plentiful volumes of air around the Matala matting matrix.
How much air is enough?
Add as much air as you can using air pumps and air diffusers to distribute the air (highly recommended for ponds that are heavily stocked). You can add the air directly to the pond, the filter, the waterfall and anywhere else you can think of.
Pond Volume (Gallons) | 1,000 | 2,000 | 3,000 | 4,000 | 5,000 | 6,000 | 7,000 | 8,000 | 9,000 | 10,000 |
Liters of air/min required to maintain Dissolved Oxygen at Koi Safe Levels | 40 | 80 | 120 | 160 | 200 | 240 | 280 | 320 | 360 | 400 |
These numbers are intended as a guideline. Your application may vary according to stocking levels. (In general terms, 40 lpm per 1000 gallons is a good rule of thumb.)
The amount of oxygen water can hold is dependent upon atmospheric pressure, salinity and temperature. Water can hold less oxygen as altitude increases. Salinity is not important for most freshwater fish producers. The most important factor is water temperature. As temperature increases, water can hold less oxygen. Most low oxygen problems occur from June through September. The reasons for this are:
- Water can hold less oxygen as it becomes warmer.
- Respiration rates of both plants and animals increase with the warmer water, so more oxygen is used.
- Summer’s still, hazy or cloudy days may reduce the amount of oxygen produced.
- Large amounts of feed given to fish at this time of year result in large quantities of fish waste which create a higher demand for oxygen
