Electric Aeration Systems
Current technology in natural pond and lake management practices
Inspired by Nature: http://www.ibnature.com |
12494 Weston Rd. Weston, Ohio 43569
Tel: 419-669-4084 Fax: 419-669-4218
Email: info@ibnature.com |
Inspired By Nature, Inc. serves the needs of the NW Ohio, SE Michigan and NE Indiana pond and lake owners. We pride ourselves in utilizing the most current technology in natural pond and lake management practices. Inspired By Nature is a pond and lake restoration company dedicated in providing a natural alternative to excessive chemical application and maintenance.
We fulfill our mission by:
· providing educational seminars to the public to teach natural pond and lake management methods· utilizing natural control methods (opposed to chemical methods) in restoring natural ecosystems in ponds and lakes.
1. Set Goals for Your Pond.
Why do you want or need a pond? What will you be using your pond for? Swimming, fishing, water use, food production and aesthetics are the main goals for most pond owners.
2. Aerate Your Pond.
Aerated ponds have fewer maintenance problems and tend to have better
overall water quality. By using our bottom aeration equipment & techniques
your pond will have fewer maintenance problems & better overall water
quality.
Bottom diffused aeration has been proven to be the best and most
energy efficient.
3. Remove Excessive Nutrients.
The best way to remove excess nutrients is to plant specific aquatic plants in your pond. Plants will absorb many excess nutrients. In the fall, prior to die down, cut and remove plants from your pond. Perennial plants will regrow the next season. Killing the plants with chemicals will do nothing to reduce the amount of nutrients in your pond. Nutrients accumulate and recycle in ponds. Problem plants (pond weeds and algae) can grow out of control in nutrient rich ponds. Click here for a diagram about the seasonal changes that take place in your pond.
4. Minimize Runoff and Debris Entering Pond.
Each year, do your best to prevent any overflow water from entering your pond. Divert surface water and physically remove branches, leaves, dead plant material and other debris from the water. Use a Beachcomber Rake to make removal much easier.
5. Do Not Use Chemicals.
Chemicals such as copper sulfate will not solve pond problems, chemicals will only temporarily solve the symptoms. Copper will accumulate in the bottom of your pond as copper carbonate, this is a heavy metal that will never go away. Chemicals destroy the natural balance in your pond and create far more problems than they solve.
6. Adopt A Holistic Outlook.
Your pond is a totally separate world. Many ecosystems exist within
your pond. By understanding how your pond works you can more effectively
fix the “broken parts”.
Restoring the natural balance allows your pond to practically take
care of itself with minimal maintenance.
Pond Life Food Chain
Think back to Earth Science class when you discussed the different food chains. Microscopic organisms, get eaten by larger organisms, then bugs eat those organisms, the bugs get eaten by the bird, the bird gets eaten by the cat. Remember those days?
Well, we're going to take you back to those ideas here, with an our Pond Life Food Chain.
Basically, you begin with Nutrients - the basic building blocks of all life.
Algae
Secondly, Bacteria - which causes decomposition to occur and release precious nutrients for growth.
Anaerobic Bacteria -- that decomposes very slowly without oxygen. Anaerobic bacteria produces methane, hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, carbon dioxide and many other gases. You know this bacteria is prevalent when you smell their putrid by products and BLACK sediments.Aerobic Bacteria -- decomposes nutrients very quickly. These types of bacteria survive in an oxygen environment. Using oxygen ? a natural cleanser, they can break down nutrients faster and more efficiently. This makes your pond cleaner, clearer & healthier.
The third subject of our chain is Plants - the producers of nutrients.
The fourth is Critters
- these include tiny zooplankton, insects and many other invertebrates within your pond.
Daphnia: http://daphnia.com | links |
Daphnia: http://www.thekrib.com/Food/daphnia.html |
Daphnia: http://www.ee.pdx.edu/~davidr/discus/articles/daphnia.html |
Daphnia are small freshwater crustaceans that may also be known as water fleas. They are called this because of their short jerky hopping movement through the water. There are many species of Daphniidae and their distribution is world wide. Of all the species, the genera of Daphnia and Moina are the most diverse, and are a major food source for both young and adult freshwater fish. In the orient Moina is the species of Daphniidae most used in fish culture.
One of the most common crustaceans to be found in lakes, ponds and quiet streams is the 'water flea', Daphnia. These tiny animals are usually less than 3mm in size, so you could put dozens of them on a single fingernail. They're not really fleas ? in fact they're not insects at all, but rather crustaceans, more closely related to crabs and shrimp.
Water fleas are extremely important in the food chains of ponds and lakes - they harvest the tiny algae cells that convert sun energy into food, and then they pass this energy along to other animals such as fish or other predators. If you like trout, you really owe a debt of grattitude to Daphnia.
Daphnia swims with a jerky motion through the water as the powerful 2nd antannae are thrust downward. The stroking action moves the animal toward the surface. Then it pauses for a short while before the next stroke, falling toward the bottom of the pond. This is when it breathes and captures food. Five pairs of legs inside the body covering (it is open in the front) are used to capture tiny microscopic food. They are finely-branched, and they also aide in breathing as the animal collects oxygen from the water.
Site: http://ebiomedia.com/gall/classics/Daphnia/daphnia_behave.html |
Cnidarian Hydra eating a Daphnia
Cnidarian: http://www.ucihs.uci.edu/biochem/steele/default.html |
Daphnia Homepage |
Daphnia Clean Up Pollution |
Daphnia: http://www.unibas.ch/ |
Daphnia: http://www.lander.edu/rsfox/daphnia.html |
Daphnia: http://ebiomedia.com/gall/classics/Daphnia/feature_main.html |
Daphnia: http://ebiomedia.com/gall/classics/Daphnia/daphnia_links.html |
Daphnia: http://ebiomedia.com/gall/classics/Daphnia/daphnia_gen.html |
Daphnia: http://ei.cornell.edu/toxicology/bioassays/daphnia/ |
Daphnia: http://members.aol.com/larval1/daphndex.htm |
Daphnia: http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/mag/artjun99/wflea.html |
Daphnia: http://www.lfscultures.com/p12.html |
Daphnia: http://nas.er.usgs.gov/crustaceans/docs/dlumholtzi.html |
Our fifth link is Fish - the main consumers of the pond, fish will eat both plants and animals.
The final link is a familiar one - Humans - the managers, we are the decision makers and the manipulators of our aquatic world.
Everything humans do in and around the pond effects everything within the pond. At the center of our circle is death & decay which are necessary and inevitable pivot points from which the circle revolves.
Grass Carp | White Amurs: http://www.ibnature.com/amurs.html |
White Amurs generally cause more harm than good in most ponds. They destroy the natural ecosystem and disrupt the natural balance needed to maintain a pond without the use of chemicals. Imagine fencing in your front lawn using 3-4 sheep to “mow” your grass.
You would not have to worry about mowing, but what would you lawn look like after several months? It would look barren, dead & overgrazed. White Amurs work the same way in your pond.
What Is A White Amur?
A white amur is a sterile form of grass carp that is commonly recommended for use in ponds to control vegetation.
Why White Amurs Are Commonly Used?
They eat many forms of pond vegetation
They seem to be a quick and easy solution to pond problems
What Other Effects White Amurs Can Also Have
They totally eat all rooted vegetation, the only thing that can grow are forms of plant material they will not eat 80 - 90% of what they eat is passed on as waste material which is fertilizer for more algal growth They cause excessive turbidity in certain conditions If all rooted plants are consumed then there is a potential for other algae species.
ibNature: http://www.ibnature.com/aeration%20systems.html |
Aeration:
Not all bottom aeration systems are alike! Even systems with similar components can be improperly installed and/or grossly undersized. Be very careful before selecting a bottom aeration system for your pond. Ask tough questions… expect correct answers
· What type of Diffuser is used
· What is it’s water moving capabilities in GPH (gallons per hour)?
· Is the airline pre weighted and snag resistant?
· What kind of air compressor ? is it noisy ? is it efficient?
How much air does it produce?
· What type of air manifold configuration is used?
· How many diffusers does my pond need and what size?
· What type of aeration system is best (surface or bottom)?
· How often should the unit be operating?
· What is required maintenance of your system?
· How much maintenance does the diffuser require?
· Will aeration be enough to control my algae?
· Does compressor need to be next to pond or building?
· How far can the compressor’s airline be run in feet?
Aeration alone will not give you a problem free pond. With the proper
guidance you have the ability to adopt a holistic outlook for your pond.
A naturally managed pond will increase the resale value of your property,
eliminating the possibility of a chemical pond cleanup.
Aeration System:
Site: http://www.ibnature.com/Our%20Compressor.htm
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