Credit to Levi Pitcock from our Pond Addicts Facebook Group for the photo, thank you!
Without aeration, a pond becomes stagnant, causing fish and plant life to suffer. Most pond owners know they need to aerate their ponds, but electric pumps are not always an option.
When a pond is far from an electricity source, owners have another option for generating power for their aerators. With a windmill, wind energy can be harnessed so the pump introduces oxygen into the pond through the air compressor. With this guide, pond owners will learn about windmill aerators, including what they are and how they work.
What Is a Windmill Aerator?
A windmill aerator harnesses the energy of the wind to power an aerator. An aeration windmill works much like a wind turbine. With each turn of the blades, the movement causes the rotor to start the operation of an air compressor. The air compressor delivers air through the aerators, effectively oxygenating the pond.
How Does a Windmill Aerator Work?
To truly understand how a windmill aerator works, it is important to go a little deeper into its operation. Each time the blades of the windmill make a revolution, they generate a single pump of a piston inside the air compressor.
The wind energy harnessed from the movement of the windmill blades is channeled through weighted tubing that leads to one or more air stone diffusers. These diffusers deliver vital oxygen throughout the pond and can effectively aerate small, medium, and large ponds.
These windmills will operate at wind speeds as little as five miles per hour. They can also be installed up to 1000 feet away from a pond. Adding an ecofriendly aerator to a pond ensures the body of water is oxygenated, without the cost of electricity to run a pump.
Why Are Windmill Aerators Best for Large Ponds?
A wind-driven aerator is ideal for large ponds because it can produce an enormous amount of energy that can aerate ponds up to twelve acres in size. The following are some of the reasons windmill aerators are best for large ponds.
- Large ponds require more upkeep than smaller ponds because of the larger fish population and plant life. Having a strong windmill aerator harnesses the energy of the wind and allows for full oxygenation, which results in a much cleaner and healthier pond.
- Windmill aerators provide a safer alternative for large ponds that are located in rural locations. It is not always prudent or safe to run wiring a long distance. When there is not a nearby electrical source, the power of the wind can provide enough energy to power a large windmill aerator effectively.
- The electricity it would take to run an electric aerator each month could be expensive for large ponds because they sometimes need more than one aerator. With a windmill aerator, the cost of operation is zero for pond owners.
Tips for Choosing a Windmill Aerator
Investing in a powerful windmill aerator helps keep a pond healthy and free of excess bacteria growth. Multiple factors should be considered when purchasing a windmill aerator. Researching carefully and considering the following will help pond owners to make the right choice for their pond aeration needs.
Aeration Potential Measured in CFM
When choosing a windmill aerator, it is important to choose one that can offer enough oxygen for the pond’s volume of water. If the windmill aerator will be the only source of aeration, it is wise to choose one that is slightly larger than necessary.
CFM stands for cubic feet per minute. This is the amount of air that can be moved by the aerator’s air compressor. The most powerful windmill aerators can provide 3+ CFM, which is enough oxygenation power to give oxygen to a pond that is around 30,000 gallons or more. It is important to choose a CFM power that equates to the number of gallons in the pond.
Height of the Windmill Tower
The height of the windmill tower is also an important consideration. Windmill towers can range in height from 9 to as high as 30 feet. It is important to note that the strength of air currents increases with height.
For large ponds, owners may need to invest in a taller windmill tower that can reach higher, to pull in stronger air currents. The windmill must be tall enough so as not to be obstructed by any objects that would block incoming winds.
Size of the Tower Head
Owners need to know the size of the tower head determines the power generated. A larger tower head and blades are going to generate much more wind energy, but it will also take a stronger wind to move it enough to create the needed energy. A tall windmill will typically have a tower head of about 60-80 inches, though they do vary in size.
Bearings
Checking out the bearings is essential for ensuring the windmill aerator will be powerful and lasting. Windmill aerators tend to have one Achille’s heel and that is their bearings. Generally speaking, windmill aerators that have large bearings are going to last longer than smaller ones. Choosing a windmill that offers a lengthy warranty is also important.
Windmill Aerators Keep Ponds Healthy
A windmill aerator helps to keep a pond healthy by aerating it with fresh oxygen. Models stand on both three and four legs and vary in size.
Windmill aerators require very little maintenance and no electric power. As long as there is at least five miles per hour of wind blowing, the windmill will successfully provide enough power to aerate a large pond with ease.
Keeping a pond aerated properly ensures the fish life living inside are healthy and strong. Without aeration, a pond’s nutrients, sediment, and organic material will build up over time and lead to unhealthy water. Many pond owners are surprised to learn a windmill aerator can also be used to help keep mosquitoes at bay.
Choosing the right windmill aerator is essential and should be based on the size of the pond in gallons and the landscape where the windmill will be installed. With a windmill aerator, pond owners will be able to rest assured their pond is properly oxygenated and healthy.
If interested in learning more about windmill aeration systems, click here.