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aerator is too much
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Posted by robinchapelhill zone7NC (My Page) on Thu, Oct 4, 07 at 17:21
Hi,
I installed my new pondmaster ap-40 aerator this a.m. It is too much for the size of my pond. It looks like a jacuzzi. Next spring I will be increasing the overall size of the pond so the aerator will be better then.
In the meantime I've been told I can purchase and install an air flow valve. I've been searching the web for hours - and can't seem to find one that looks right... however, I don't actually know what it should look like. Does anyone know what it is I need and where to get one ?
With thanks !!
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Follow-Up Postings:
RE: aerator is too much
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| A water valve will work fine. Either brass or PVC. I like the quarter turn ball valve type and there is nothing wrong with PVC valves. You just need to find the right sized barbed hose fittings and maybe bushings or whatever it takes to adapt so you can insert the valve into the air line. The valves come with either threaded or glue connectors. Look at Lowes or Home Depot. I have such a valve in my AP100 aerator line. It requires careful adjustment to get the air flow just right but it works. A gas valve would probably work too. Just a matter of adapting to the air hose you are using. |
RE: aerator is too much
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Thank you for your response. My big concern tho' - is that inhibiting the air flow from this aerator might damage the motor... that there needs to be some kind of ... i don't know how to describe this .. but ... some way to allow the motor to function at normal pump out rate... but divert some of the air pressure. I am afraid - I am at a very basic understanding of all this. And in general ... things mechanical. I don't know "bushings."
I've seen the water valves - and have one on my water pump ... so I understand that basic idea. Do you think I could just put a water flow valve on the air pump ... that it would work?
Again thanks for your help ... just think of someone - just learning to read. That's my level of understanding about pondering. Tho' my passion is great and I am determined.
I'll also make a trip to Lowes and HD.
thanks, thanks, thanks, R in Chapel Hill, NC |
RE: aerator is too much
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| Put a tee in the line and 2 valves. One valve can serve as an exaust...basically diverting the excess flow into the air. Adjust the valve that goes to nothing until you get the air flow in the pond how you want it. You don't want to restrict the entire flow coming out of the pump because back-pressure on the pump will damage it. |
RE: aerator is too much
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| Put a tee in the line and 2 valves. One valve can serve as an exaust...basically diverting the excess flow into the air. Adjust the valve that goes to nothing until you get the air flow in the pond how you want it. You don't want to restrict the entire flow coming out of the pump because back-pressure on the pump will damage it. |
RE: aerator is too much
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| You just need to go down to the plumbing department of Lowes or Home Depot or to a local plumbing supply store. Take a bit of the air hose you are using and explain what you want to do and they should be able to fix you up with whatever valves, fittings and clamps (& maybe glue) you will need. It is probably safer to use the "T" and two valves and spill out the excess air as suggested by ccombs1. The whole thing will come out to $10-15. PS- a bushing is a fitting that screws or glues into a larger fitting to adapt it to a smaller pipe or fitting. good luck |
RE: aerator is too much
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| thank you guys, I went to Lowes and got a T and clamps and a valve and screw-in device that fits the valve into the assembly. It works great - except it is rather loud. But I have to tell you - that it is apparent that the fish are much energized by this. And it's just great to watch them ! The pond is clearer and they are swimming with enthusiasm. The new concern... is that we still have 90+ weather here. And there was activity a few days ago - when the temp. reached over mid-90s - of spawning. In NC - it is possible to go really cold. Tho' this global warming - long-time local drought thing - is making me wonder what I should do for winterizing. Also - I guess I should post a new message about this - but I have read that koi (i just have two small ones) - don't tolerate temps - below 50F. Is that true ? Anyway - thanks very much for your help with the aerator
exuberance. The fish seem very happy ! And that makes me really happy !! R in Chapel Hill |
RE: aerator is too much
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| Robin, check out past posts on winterizing (and the many upcoming threads that will surely be posted here as well). Plenty of good suggestions and instructions. Particulary pay close attention to those posts from people that live in the same zone &/or region as you. As for the koi, they will survive water temps all the way down to just above frozen solid temp. :-) Sherry |
RE: aerator is too much
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| In you zone, you really don't need to worry much about winterizing. Continue to run the pond in the winter just as you do in the summer. The only exception to this would be if you had a long, tumbling waterfall because that could act as a cooling tower and will cool the pond water down even more. Also, it is important to head into winter with a very clean pond. Clean the pond bottom and filters completly to reduce problems with bacteria and parasites in the early spring. Koi can handle water temps much lower than 50°, but do not feed the fish when the water cools to 50° or below. They are unable to properly digest food at low temps and the filter is unable to convert ammonia as efficiently. In the spring when the water stabilizes at 50° and above, begin lightly feeding with a wheatgerm based food. |
RE: aerator is too much
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| I have an AP-40 and two bubblers and one valve to balance the flow to the aerators. You only need a T and one valve. Install the T near the pump. Run one side to the pond. Run the other side to the valve. Open the valve just enough to bleed off the air you don't need in the pond. This is reducing the pressure at the pump and saving the pump. If you put the valve in line with the pump you are increasing the pressure and shortening the life of the pump. A suitable parts are: www.aquaticeco.com 107A Tee (Insert x Insert x Insert), 5/8" $2.31 70012 Hose Valve, 1/2" $10.89 And some 3/4" Stainless Steel Tubing Clamps. |
Here is a link that might be useful: AquaticEco
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