5 Benefits of a mechanical Air Pump

Mechanical air pumps are one of the most important pieces of equipment you can put on a pond, arguably coming second to a suitable pump and filter system. Mechanical air pumps are no-nonsense forms of aeration that act as mechanical lungs; breathing oxygen into the deeper parts of your pond through several air stones which help to disperse that oxygen throughout the pond.

A lack of oxygen is one of the biggest problems that pond keepers suffer from; you are more likely to face chemical imbalances, algae growth, and an increase in fish diseases if your pond does not have enough oxygen. This means that properly aerating your pond, regardless of how big it is, is key to having healthy water, attracting wildlife, increased plant growth, and supporting fish.

Below, we have listed 5 key reasons why you should install a dedicated mechanical air pump. You may also find our Aeration Blogs useful.

Mechanical air pumps are the most efficient source of aeration

In your pond, you may have a waterfall or a fountain which you believe is aerating your pond thoroughly. In most cases, either of these features will help to improve the quality of the water by pulling the least aerated parts from the bottom of your pond and pushing it up through the air to aerate it.

While these features help to circulate the water, there will always be areas of the pond that don’t get circulated. A mechanical air pump not only provides a greater amount of oxygen, but you can attach several air stones to an air pump and place these air stones throughout the pond; increasing oxygen and circulation in several locations at once.

This means that a waterfall or a fountain will help to provide a great display, circulation and aeration; but if the purpose of the feature is to aerate the water, you should install an air pump alongside it to thoroughly aerate your pond.

Higher oxygen leads to more healthy bacteria, less sludge, and fewer toxic chemicals (Useful Blogs: Bacteria, Pond Sludge, Water Quality)

It’s too good to be true, right? Well, in short, the extra oxygen levels in your pond help to increase the colonisation of healthy bacteria in your pond (aerobic bacteria). This bacteria improves the decomposition of the pond sludge; things like fish waste, decaying debris, and leftover fish food. This results in less sludge sitting at the bottom, which reduces the levels of Ammonia, Nitrites, and Nitrates in your pond; these are the chemicals in your pond that, in greater quantities, can fuel diseases, algae blooms, and fish death.

As a result, your pond, fish, wildlife, and plants are healthier because of the increase of healthy bacteria. This leads on to the next benefit…

An air pump, in collaboration with a suitable filtration system, will keep your pond clean, clear, and healthy (Useful Blogs: Filters & Their Maintenance

As per the above information, there will be less sludge at the bottom of your pond due to the increase in healthy bacteria and the efficient decomposition of organic debris. This means that there is less sludge being sent throughout your filter system, which in turn reduces the time spent maintaining your filter. Your filter won’t need to remove as much sludge and your pump won’t clog up as much; simply because there is less sludge. 

Mechanical air pumps can stop your pond freezing over in the colder temperatures (Useful Blogs: What to do if your pond freezes over)

As the colder temperatures come in, your fish will hibernate at the bottom of your pond. But organic debris will continue to decompose and produce those toxic gases mentioned above (ammonia, nitrites and nitrates). If your pond freezes over completely, these gases have no way to escape and will build up; eventually replacing the oxygen and killing your fish.

While a de-icer can stop the ice from forming, an air pump will do this alongside keeping the pond aerated. This can stop fish death, which is very important in the winter months.

Mechanical air pumps can save you money 

So far, we have established that mechanical air pumps are efficient sources of aeration. This leads to increased levels of healthy bacteria, less sludge, and fewer harmful chemicals. They can also prevent ice from forming on your pond. All of this can help reduce maintenance and protects your equipment.

All of this helps to save you money. How? Well, you may not have to purchase treatments for things like algae blooms, blanketweed, or duckweed. By protecting your equipment (pumps and filters) you will spend less on replacing them if they become faulty, you may also find you don’t have to replace the filter foam pads as often.

Further to this, if you run a waterfall or a fountain, you will find that you can turn these off at night and just run the air pump instead. As a rule of thumb, an air pump will require less electricity than a fountain pump or a pump powering a waterfall. Which means turning these off at night and relying on the air pump will save you money.

Running your fountain and waterfall during the winter months can be dangerous; the colder weather can cause ice to build up and either damage the fountain pump or cause water loss by seeping over the ice on the waterfall. This in turn can lead to damaged equipment and/or water loss; which is very dangerous for your fish in the winter months. So turning these off in winter and running an air pump both saves money because the air pump will normally use less electricity, but it will also prevent damage to your equipment.

What size Air Pump should I get for my pond?

We have included a table below as a buying guide. Many pondkeepers do not keep fish in the pond and the adddition of a smaller air pump will be sufficient. Fish ponds require a larger amount of air, Koi ponds especially. If keeping other 'oxygen hungry' species such as sturgeon then the flow suggested below should be amplified further.

Please treat this as advice only - every pond is different. 

You may also find the below blogs useful:
• Benefits of Aerating your Pond
• How to Oxygenate a Pond
• Causes & Dangers of Low Oxygen in Ponds
• Signs of Low Oxygen in Ponds

If you have any queries, please email us on info@pondkeeper.co.uk.