Sub-surface aerators encourage oxygen to be added to water. This oxygen encourages the growth of “good” (aerobic, oxygen-loving) bacteria. These bacteria consume nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus which algae and weeds depend on to survive. The “good” bacteria also eat sludge on the floor of your dam and decaying-organic debris in the water. Plus, they stop odours by outcompeting “bad” (anaerobic, oxygen-hating) bacteria which create these smells. 

Sizing a sub-surface aerator depends on several conditions, including sun exposure, water temperature, dam shape and depth, nutrient levels, surrounding land use etc. We would need to look at your water body’s specs to provide an accurate estimation. That said, below is a rough sizing guide for our Matala aerator. 

• ¼ hp = ¼ to 1 acre lake 
• ½ hp = ½ to 2 acre lake 
• ¾ hp = Up to 4 acre lake 

Yes, more oxygen in your water encourages the growth of “good” (aerobic, oxygen-loving) bacteria. These bacteria consume nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus which algae and weeds depend on to survive. The “good” bacteria also eat sludge on the floor of your dam—fertiliser for algae and weeds—and decaying organic debris in the water. So, with a lot of aeration, you’ll see less algae and weeds.

Yes, sub-surface aerators are very safe for fish and aquatic life. Each air station is a membrane that ejects tiny bubbles, and the air can only move in one direction–out. So, they are safe for fish. Plus, more aeration in your water body is only going to make your fish happier. That said, there is a startup procedure to follow if there are fish in the dam. On day 1, turn it on for 15 mins. On day 2, turn it on for 30 mins. On day 3, turn it on for 1hr. Continue adding an hour each day until you reach 24/7 operation. This is to make sure the oxygen depleted water on the bottom doesn't mix too quickly causing stress for the fish, and even fish kills.

Our sub-surface aerator kits start at around $1,999 for the complete kit, i.e. everything you need to get set up. This would be for the Hakko aerator. 

A sub-surface aerator is more cost effective than a surface aerator when it comes to power usage. It obviously depends on the size of your water body and subsequent aerator motor size, but for a ¼ acre dam, the power would be equivalent to an electric kettle going to single boil.

Typically, our aerators last several years when not looked after but eclipse a decade for well-maintained equipment. Regular cleaning of air filters is the biggest motor-longevity factor. If filters are clean air flows in freely. If air filters are dirty, the motor works harder to pull in air causing it to run hot and reducing its lifespan. Maintenance also means applying a maintenance/service kit every 2 years for most rocking piston aerators. And monitoring air station flow, i.e. the bubble plumes, and every few months shutting off all but one air station, pushing all the air through it, and then doing the same for the remaining air stations, before resetting them to their previous valve settings.

Yes, we do. This is typically for customers close to Melbourne but we do travel for project work. We may also be able to refer you to a local installer, if we know of one in your area. Please reference this in your enquiry and we can provide an idea of the cost. We also have installation videos for those who want to go it alone. 

For the Hakko, 2m is the max depth. For Matala, Vertex and OWS, the deeper the better. Five metres is good. Ten metres is better. The air stations are more effective when placed deeper because the rising bubbles travel a greater distance, getting bigger and bigger. The result is greater mixing and greater surface agitation, aka greater aeration.

Check the FAQs on the respective aerators. Some aerators, e.g. rocking piston aerators, require a maintenance/service kit applied every 2 years. The good news is all maintenance is done onshore.

The air stations are essentially self-cleaning except for in the case where you don't run them for an extended length of time. That said, it's good practice to blast the air stations every few months by shutting off all but one air station, pushing all the air through it, and then doing the same for remaining air stations, before resetting them to their previous valve settings.