Pond Aerators Vs. Pond Fountains

To maintain a healthy pond, it needs oxygen. Fish cannot survive without oxygen, nor can the aquatic life that helps to maintain a healthy ecosystem within the pond. Aerators and fountains are two of the ways in which you can increase the oxygen levels in a pond.

Powering

In order to power your unit, it needs electricity. With an aerator, your unit is on land and away from the water. With a fountain, usually the electricity must go out into the water.

Efficiency

An aerator has a submersed diffuser that is on the bottom of the pond and therefore provides oxygen all the way to the bottom of your pond. With a fountain, the oxygen is only produced where the water is thrown into the air; thus only the top of the pond is oxygenated.

Beautifying

A fountain definitely adds beauty to your pond. An aerator only produces bubbles rising to the top and doesn't add any beautifying traits.

Cost

An aeration system will cost in excess of $5,000, and a fountain will cost about half that much. (Prices as of October 2009.)

Pros of Each System

The aerator oxygenates the total pond, no matter how deep it is, and keeps the electricity on shore. The fountain is less expensive, oxygenates very well in shallower ponds and beautifies the area.

References

• Living Water Aeration
• Aeration Systems Preventing Fish Kills