Presumably, everyone desires a healthy pond. However, as is true with most things, this is much easier said than done. The treasured vault that holds the secrets to a healthy pond is stubbornly locked to most pond owners. Mixing is the key that can open that vault.
When it comes to breaking down nutrients, there are few things more important or successful than mixing action. There needs to be a mixing of pond layers, a mixing between nutrients and oxygen, and a mixing to create intimate contact between aerobic, decomposing bacteria and the pond specimens waiting to be broken down.
Nothing takes down algae and sludge like a good old-fashioned mix.
Behind the Scenes:
It’s really great that we know what needs to be done, but unfortunately (once again) this is easier said than done. How exactly is this accomplished?
One specific mixing aspect that the MARS Aerator utilizes is a synergistic Venturi Effect. The coarse bubble static tube makes up the core of the MARS Aerator, and is placed with 8 inches of clearance between the notorious pond-bottom sludge and its base. When air is pumped through the static tube, it creates a vacuum (or Venturi) effect, which then gently pulls water from beneath the MARS unit through its core.
This Venturi Effect does much to agitate the water, and even carries liquefied sludge with it to be broken down, which otherwise would have continually accumulated at the bottom of the pond. When the sludge and excess nutrients are pulled through the static tube, they are partially broken down by the mixing action. Next, when they come in contact with the oxygen rich water created by the fine-bubble aeration, they are broken down even more. As the Venturi Effect continues working, the water in the pond is consistently circulated and mixed. Due to this, nutrients are more effectively broken down and pond layers are destratified.
A Helpful Metaphor:
The relationship between mixing and oxygenating a pond can be compared to washing your hands. The fine bubbles (primarily oxygenating) will be represented by soap and water. The coarse bubbles (primarily mixing) will be represented by hand-scrubbing.
Picture yourself having just come inside from the muddiest work you have ever done. You walk straight to the sink, your hands caked with an odorous, gristly layer of mud. Water rushes out of the faucet and you place your hands underneath it, adding a few squirts of soap every few seconds. You hang your hands in the sink limply and let the water and soap run over them. Alas, while some of the mud and stench disappear from your hands, they are far from clean. You’re doomed to live the rest of your days with pungent, muddy hands.
However, there may be hope still. In scenario number two you walk to the sink, turn on the water, apply the soap, and scrub your hands vigorously. Voila. Your hands are pristine, and you can live a life full of happiness and cleanliness. All because you scrubbed.
The same is true for pond aeration. You can add all the oxygen you want through fine bubble aeration, but if you don’t mix it with the rest of the pond, spread it about, share the wealth with all of those in the pond who need it, you won’t produce the results that you’re hoping for. You will have one extremely oxygen-rich area in your pond, and the rest will remain stagnant and mostly unaffected. However, once you add in the mixing factor through coarse bubble aeration, your pond begins to experience the benefits of oxygenation throughout its layers and regions. And there is much rejoicing.
Don’t Worry, It’s a Common Misunderstanding
Most laymen who simply dabble in the science behind pond aeration would assume that oxygenation is far and away the main benefit of aeration. This is the very reason that they are referred to, and will continue to be referred to, as laymen. Because they’re wrong.
It’s true that oxygenation is obviously essential to the process. Without it, there would be much less nutrients and sludge broken down. However, without any type of mixing action, the presence of oxygen is negated quite a bit. The real bottom line is that you cannot properly, effectively, or successfully oxygenate without some type of mixing action utilized in conjunction.
If you don’t believe me, just try washing your hands sans scrubbing.
Tags: Aeration, circulation, coarse bubble, mixing, Venturi effect
