These aerators float on the surface of your water providing aesthetics as well as aeration
surface aeration
Highlights
How do surface aerators work?
Surface aerators sit on the surface of the water and use a propeller to pump water up into the air. This allows for gas exchange between the water and the air where oxygen enters the water before it returns to the waterbody. Agitating the surface of the water also creates a ripple effect which increases the surface area of the waterbody. More surface area means more gas exchange, resulting in greater aeration. Agitating the surface water also encourages mixing of water which prevents stratification.
Note: Most fountains DO NOT aerate water. Learn more.
Choose from the following surface aerators
Carnival
Professional
Commercial
Eradicating blue-green algae and aquatic weeds in 6 weeks with a surface aerator
Avalon Nursery near Ballarat was having a problem with red azolla and blue-green algae in one of their irrigation dams.
We recommended installing a 1.5hp solar-powered Air-O-Lator Carnival Aerating Fountain. Within days of installing the aerator, the weeds and blue-green algae began to retreat. After just 6 weeks, the weeds and algae were completely gone. The smell had disappeared too.
How does surface aeration work?
expert tip
Combine surface and sub-surface aerators for premium results.
If you're looking to improve your water fast, and you want the cleanest water possible, combine aerators to get the benefits of both. Surface aerators are better at aerating the top layers of water and sub-surface aerators are better at bringing bottom waters to the surface. The result is a much more circulated and aerated waterbody. Reach out and we'll be happy to explain more.
Frequently Asked Questions
The biggest benefit of surface aerators is the showy fountain display, if this is your thing. Other benefits include being more easily suited to solar (i.e. can run entirely off solar motors), and being ideal for emergency aeration (e.g. fish which need immediate oxygen). Surface aerators provide more intensive aeration so they're more useful in wastewater or dams with high organic loads. Because they're highly intensive, in some cases they can maintain good water quality while set on a timer for a few hours a day, offsetting some of the power differences between sub-surface systems. Some customers like the sound of the splashing water and the option of lights.
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.
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, surface aerators are safe for fish and aquatic life. If you are very worried about fish or animals going under the float near the propeller, we can provide a guard. This also keeps the propeller clear of debris.
Our surface aerator kits fit into two camps: (i) small motors below 1hp and (ii) large motors 1hp and above. The smaller kits (<1hp) have a few differences in the motor build and control box which lowers the cost. e.g. ½hp Professional starts at $4,499 + delivery. While a 1hp Professional starts at $5,999 + delivery.
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The general rule for our mains-powered surface aerators is you halve the horsepower to get the aeration acreage. So, a 1hp motor can aerate a ½ acre water body. This is based on optimal conditions, however. For instance, sun exposure, water temperature, dam shape and depth, nutrient levels, surrounding land use etc all need to be considered. Solar equivalents are more like 1 to 3, e.g. a 1.5hp motor aerates a ½ acre dam. This is because the aerator only operates when the solar panels are catching the sun. We would need to look at your water body’s specs to provide a more accurate estimation.
Five metres. For water bodies deeper than 5m, we recommend sub-surface aeration. The reason being is the surface churn only mixes so deep. Whereas sub-surface aerators mix from the bottom and they operate very effectively in deep water.
A surface aerator uses more electricity than a sub-surface aerator because you are pumping water not air. A 1hp aerator would be a little less than a common household fridge. Solar options are available to remove power costs.
Typically, our aerators last several years when not looked after but eclipse a decade for well-maintained equipment. Maintenance means turning off the aerator from time to time and canoeing out to the aerator. Check is the float free of algae and other strange growths? Gently pull the aerator motor out. Is the guard and propeller free of debris? If they aren’t, sometimes it's worth taking the motor back to shore to clean it with a hose. We show you how in this video.
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.
This really depends on your water quality. Turn off the aerator from time to time and canoe out to the aerator. Is the float free of algae and other strange growths? Gently pull the aerator motor out. Is the guard and propeller free of debris? If they aren’t, sometimes it’s worth taking the motor back to shore to clean it with a hose. We show you how in this video.
