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Disc
Diffusers, Airstones & Silica Diffusers
All bubblers are
not created equal; use the right diffuser for the job
Looking
for cheap air pumps for you aerator? See
our selection of linear and diaphragm pond pumps. Email
us for aeration information or with your questions. There is no charge for
our pond services.
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Of course the heart of any
aerator has got to be the compressor, linear air-pump, regenerative blower or
windmill bellows but let's not forget to look at the myriad array of diffusers.
The diffuser is what breaks up the airflow into bubbles! Big bubbles, small bubbles
and even micro-bubbles or ultra fine bubbles all can be used to achieve different
results. Just like a home stereo system can sound great through a set of high
quality speakers even if the turntable is marginal; so too can a proper diffuser
make an old home-made air pump actually create some decent aeration!
Many
aeration supply firms and pond stores sell cheap diffuses and some of these are
just that: cheap! Maybe they'll last a year or maybe two, but as with any part
of the aeration system, whether it is changing the worn out pistons on a Gast
compressor or replacing the worn carbon vanes of a Brookwood compressor, a diffuser
may need periodic cleaning with muriatic acid. A good diffuser assembly can be
a weighted disc system like the Vertex CoActive Air Station with 2 nine inch diffuser
discs on a hollow base that can be filled with rocks to keep it on the bottom
or a Koenders Airstone which is simply placed in to a bucket with some stones
and lowered in to the pond. There are also many knock-offs of high-quality diffusers
by companies trying to market a poorly performing copy of a brand name technology
in order to garner greater profits. Let's look at some of the different pond diffusers:
You
want to build a home made diffuser?
No you don't...you only think
you do! The idea of scrounging through the tool shed for some pits of PVC pipe
or hose and some metal jugs or gathering buckets and attempting to fasten a sealed
skin from some recycled EPDM membranew might sound like a good idea but it isn't.
Sure you can take some SCH 40 pipe and drill some holes in it and cap of the end
and epoxy glue a 3/4" NPT air supply connector and make some contraption
that will release bubbles but that doesn't mean you will have an efficient diffuser.
The best difuser is one that uses the available airflow and horsepower to maximum
efficiency but breaking up the air into bubbles...but not all Bubbles are created
equal. I know...it sounds discriminatory but it's the Truth! In most cases
you want to have small bubbles and the smaller the better. Ultra-fine bubbles
or micro-bubbles as they are sometimes called in the industry are what creates
the most efficient aeration.
Much of the actual oxygen transfer in to your
pond or lake actually occurs at the atmosphere/water interface where water is
introduced to the atmosphere by being pushed towards the surface by the rising
bloom of bubbles. As the water breaks the surface tension of the pond or lake
the oxygen transfer occurs and the water, now with higher levels of vital oxygen,
descends back in to the depths where it causes dissolved O2 levels to be higher
and higher depending on temperature and baromteric pressure among other variables.
But that doesn't mean you can just drop an open ended length poly irrigation pipe
running in to the pond from the end of a tire pump and expect these basketball
sized bubbles to create enough lift to properly aerate...no...it's not that simple
because the bubble size also plays an important role in the Gallons Per Minute
lifted towards the surface and the important oxygen transfer that occurs betwwen
the thin walls of the bubbles themselves as they stream upwards from the diffuser
towards the surface. Yes it is a multi-faceted process and while it may be sounding
too complex there is a simple rule that applies to most pond diffusers...
Buy
The Best Rated Diffusers
|
Diffuser Assemblies and Single Discs & Airstones for Aeration
| Over
the years we have installed, replaced, cleaned and destroyed a wide variety of
pond and lake diffusers. Here we have listed some of the highest performing systems
which work in most situations. If you are involved in a special lake project or
a more intricate stromwater retention basin aeration project and require recommendations
for the best diffusers please email us.
BEST PLUG N' PLAY
POND DIFFUSERS: LESS THAN 8 FEET DEEP
 4
x 6" Airlift Weighted Diffusers on a Weighted Base - $200 EACH
Includes shipping
within continental USA.
No need to add sand or rocks in to a hollow base like so
many diffusers! These diffusers assemblies need no extra weights! Normal airflow
range is 1.5 - 2.4 CFM. Equipped with 5/8" MNPT. These weighted diffusers lay flat upon the lake or pond bottom so disturbed
sediments is minimized and airstones do not become fouled or covered in muck due
to the underlay which keeps the airstones out of the sediment.
Item # PR-ALA4GL1
Some of the smallest and finest bubbles available in any diffuser means
that you get the most lifting of water column towards the surface and less pressure
loss during operation. These diffuser assemblies require less PSI and so are perfect
for linear air pumps in most ponds!
Price per unit versus efficiency makes
for an interesting comparision to such diffusers as the Vertex CoActive AirStation
The fine bubble production of the bonded silica diffuser assembly which releases
the most ultra-fine micro bubbles than any other medium price range diffuser we
tested. See
our selection of linear and diaphragm pond pumps.
BEST VALUE DIFFUSER FOR D.I.Y PROJECTS
 9"
Membrane Disc Diffuser - $50 EACH
Includes shipping
within continental USA.
Normal airflow range is 0–5 cfm. Equipped with 3/4" MNPT. Single disc or multiple discs can be used with linear air pumps, piston
pumps, rotary vane pumps or regenerative blowers. Ideal for everything from small
ponds to large lakes. Contact us with questions.
Item # PR-ED3271
Practically
invisible due to their dark color, these 9 inch membrane discs are engineered
for extended performance. The actual disc diffuser bodies are made of high-strength
polypropylene with 3/4" MNPT connections to attach to airlines, manifolds or headers.
Each diffuser has an avergae of 6,600 engineered air release orifices, 20% more
than some comparable models. The special design of the matt, flexible and supple
EPDM membrane, with its proprietary thickness taper, results in full utilization
of the membrane surface, even at low airflow operations. This results in improved
oxygen transfer efficiency, along with maximum operational flexibility. The disc
diffuser has an integral "triple" check valve to prevent fluid backflow. Resistance
is about 10" H2O when clean. Made in USA. Note: Diffusers are also known as airstones.
Tip: With two 9" discs and some simple plumbing parts and
fittings you can build your own assembly. Two discs mounted on a weighted base
are sometimes called "aerations assemblies" with brand names like the
Vertex "CoActive AirStation" or the AquaMaster Aqua Air "Dual Membrane
Diffuser" or the Aeration Technologies "Airpod" or the "AirBoost"
or the "SCEPMD2"...you see where I'm going? Add two of these 9"
Membrane discs and some plumbing on to a cement block or stone and you have a
fancy-pants aerator for much less expensive than a brand name contraption! See
our selection of linear and diaphragm pond pumps.
MOST EFFICIENT DIFFUSER FOR DEEP LAKE
AERATION
 Six-Diffuser
Synergistic Glass Bonded Silica Assemby - $300 EACH
Includes shipping
within continental USA.
Each of these 6 diffuser airstone assemblies has a weighted base
and plastic underlay which perevents sedimentary erosion during operation. For
ponds and basins from 8' to 40' deep. Equipped with barbed PVC airline inlet.
Requires between 3 - 7 CFM for optimal operation.
Item # PR-ALA6GL1
Some
of the smallest and finest bubbles available in any diffuser we tested means that
you get the most lifting of water colum towards the surface and less pressure
loss during operation. Price per unit versus efficiency makes for an interesting
comparision to such diffusers as the Vertex CoActive AirStation XL and the new
XXL with five discs or the AquaAir new competitive 4 disc diffusers. Neither of
these come close to the fine bubble production of the bonded silica diffuser assembly
which releases the most ultra-fine micro bubbles than any other medium price range
diffuser we tested.
See
our selection of linear and diaphragm pond pumps.
Looking
for availability of another style or size diffuser?
We have information on
over 50 types of diffusers for ponds, lakes, aquariums, leachate or stormwater
retention basins!
Send us an email
and tell us about what you need.
We serve individual private pond owners
as well as corporations and municipalities.
COMPLETE
POND AERATION SYSTEMS 
Small Pond (up to 10,000 gallons) Aeration System - $575
Includes shipping
within continental USA.
System includes the linear compressor, 25 feet of weighted airline,
one bottom diffuser, clamps and connectors and instruction manual for the complete
installation.
Item # PR-KPA1-3
Ideal for ponds up to 10,000 gallons or koi/fish ponds
with up to 100 pounds of fish.
Oilless AC linear diaphragm compressor: 2
CFM @ 1PSI and 1.5 CFM at 2 PSI :: Max Op. Depth = 8 feet :: USES ONLY 50 WATTS
- 1 Year Warranty
See all
of our large and small complete aeration systems which include tubing, pumps and
diffusers. Everything you need comes in one package!
Smaller bubbles are better bubbles
Let's
have a brief lesson in fine bubbles, it will be fun (well...not exactly) and you
will get a short course in why smaller is sometimes better especially when it
comes to diffuser bubbles!
Lesson 1
Let's take a fairly large
bubble as far as aeration goes. Our large galloping bubble that is 0.8" in
diameter, just over 3/4 of an inch, or 20 mm has a full volume of 1.64 cubic inches
or 4.19 cubic centimeters. This same glorious orb has a surface area of 5 inches
or 12.6 square centimeters and that is what we can define as a coarse bubble!
Lesson
2
Now a coarse diffuser like an airstone would create large bubbles like
in lesson one but if we could use the same volume of air but break that large
sphere into smaller ones we could greatly increase the available surface area
which in turn enhances and embellishes the aeration transfer capacity of the same
air volume! If we replaced that one large 3/4" wide bubble with tiny bubbles
or micro-bubbles that were 1/16 of an inch or 3 mm in diameter we could fit 296
of these fine bubbles into the larger one of lesson 1! The combined surface area
of those 296 bubbles works out to over 33 square inches or 84 square centimetres!
This is close to 7 times the total surface area...and the surface is where the
oxygen transfer occurs.
Lesson 3
Now since the surface area is
close to 7 times greater we can theroretically aerate 7 times as much water with
the same compressor or blower or air pump depending on whether we have a fine
bubble diffuser or a coarse bubbler. Same air pump, totally different efficiency!!
| If
you are not so much of a a do-it-yourself aeration system type of person then
you want a complete turn-key aeration system that is cheap and easy to install
without having to go to the hardware store for plumbing bits or ask Uncle Johhny
to build a wooden compressor cabinet then we recommend these fully complete aerating
systems. The pond size these simple systems can aerate depends mainly on the depth
and shape of your pond, if you are unsure if these systems will be adequate for
your pond then send us an email before you buy.
These pond aeration systems
are complete and ready-to-go packages including everything you need: lockable
heavy-duty aluminum cabinet, efficient rocking piston air compressor, base mounted
quad-diffuser airstone synergistic diffuser assembly, 6 foot power cord, GFCI
receptacle, 3/8" weighted tubing which is self sinking so the installation
of your diffusers from the boat is easier because everything sinks out-of-sight
and in to place! To keep from bringing theelectricity to the lake, the compressor
can be located up to 1,000' away with the addition of our high PSI 5/8" poly
black plastic tubing airline which connects to the compressor outlet.
The included noise-reducing, fan-ventilated, weatherproof, heavy-duty steel cabinet
can be installed easily on a post, pier or boat house. Instructions are included,
and the entire unit can be shipped Ground. 115V/60 Hz.
Medium Pond (up to 1.5 acres) Aeration System - $1450
Includes shipping
within continental USA.
Aerates ponds 1/8 acre with a 3-5 foot depth (125,000
gallons)
Aerates ponds up to 1/2 acre at 9-12 foot deep to (1 million gallons)
Aerates ponds up to 1-1/2 acres with a 15-20 foot depth (7 million
gallons)
Full system includes: 1/3 HP single piston compressor, ventilated
and lockable cabinet suitable for post mount, single micro bubble diffuser assembly
with four air stones, all clamps and connectors, 100' weighted tubing, instruction
booklet.
Item # PR-DA1AW
Large Pond (up to 3 acres) Aeration System - $2150
Includes shipping
within continental USA.
Aerates ponds 1/4 acre with a 3-5 foot depth (225,000
gallons)
Aerates ponds up to 1 acre at 9-12 foot deep (2.5 million gallons)
Aerates ponds up to 3 acres with a 15-20 foot depth (10 million
gallons)
Full
system includes: 1/3 HP double dual piston compressor, ventilated lockable steel
cabinet suitable for post mount, two micro bubble diffuser assemblies with 4 airstones
on each each, all clamps and connectors, 200' weighted tubing, instruction booklet.
Item # PR-DA2AW
|
| Prices include shipping within continental USA. For Canadian
orders...contact us prior to purchase to accept additional charges.
All orders
processed by 2:00 PM Central Time are normally shipped that day.
Have a larger pond? Need advice on an aeration
project?
Send us an email
describing your pond and tell us about what you need. Gauranteed response!
We serve individual private pond owners
as well as associations, corporations and municipalities.
 Secure Shopping with Credit Card or Paypal®
using the Secure Servers of Paypal® |
|
Compare
Diffusers & Pricing
When
comparing aeration systems it is a good idea to look for forums and reviews that
discuss the pros and cons of various systems. Since the principals of aeration
are scientific and many companies offer products that do basically the same thing
to various degrees of efficiency then it is up to us as consumers to use our due-diligence
before buying a pond aerator. To compare prices with our recommended systems we
have grouped some of the more popular bottom-diffuser aerator brands together
for comparision with our best aerator systems. Our systems include the self-sinking
air-supply tubing and price includes free shipping...most aeration companies charge
extra for the tubing and shipping!.
Airflex®
Disc Diffusers = $45
Shipping Extra
Airflex
® Disc Diffusers and Membrane Diffusers Standard 9" Disc - AF270 Design Flow:
1.5-3.0 SCFM (2.5-5.0 Nm3/hr) Flow Range: 0-7 SCFM (0-12 Nm3/hr) Slit Quantity:
6,600 Standard 12” Disc - AFD350 Design Flow: 2.5-5.0 SCFM (4.2-8.3 Nm3/hr) Flow
Range: 0-12 SCFM (0-20 Nm3/hr) Slit Quantity: 10,155 Patent-Pending PTFE Diffusers
SSI manufactures disc diffusers with compression molded membranes. Standard materials
are EPDM and fluoroelastomer layered EPDM. Compression molding ensures that we
produce a part with even specific gravity and uniform tear resistance. Other molding
techniques such as injection molding produce similar looking parts, but the tear
resistance of a compression molded part is multidirectional, whereas the tear
resistance of an injection molded part tends to be unidirectional just like wood
which has a grain. There is an art to using just the right amount of plasticizer
in an EPDM membrane. Use too much, or the wrong type, and emulsifying fats can
leech plasticizer and cause shrinkage and increase hardness. Use too little, and
the rubber loses its memory, bubble size increases, and the membrane is at risk
for flexure failure.
Available
at:
www.pumpstoreusa.com | Vertex
CoActive AirStation™ = $145
Shipping Extra
Vertex
AirStation CoActive Lift - $145.00 email or phone toll free 1 877-607-5296 Vertex
MicronBubble™ technology provides the lake restoration industry's first superfine
bubble generation. The majority of bubbles produced by Vertex MicronBubble™ technology
are only 500 to 1000 microns in diameter. As bubble size decreases, lifting rates
and oxygen transfer rates increase dramatically providing the highest efficiency
aerator available today! CoActive dual 9" diameter membrane diffuser discs synergistically
create an ultra-wide bubble column for greater upward water column movement without
additional airflow requirements. Still only 1.0 CFM required per CoActive AirStation™!
Self-cleaning flexible membrane openings prevent diffuser clogging in the dirtiest
of lakes. Muddy bottom, dirty, brackish, salt or hard water? No problem! Perfect
for retrofitting worn-out, clogged or broken airstone type diffusers. No more
airstone acid cleaning or frequent replacement ever needed again! Five-year warranty
- all AirStations carry a five-year No Questions free replacement guarantee. Redesigned
self-weighted base for easier and faster surface installations.
Available
at:
www.cleanponds.com
| Airstone,
Koenders Airstone, Windmill Air Stones
= $60
Shipping Extra
Aluminum Oxide Airstones Unlike the standard silica airstones these airstones
can be cleaned time and time again without wearing down. These airstones are actually
constructed of the same material used for grinding stones. While increasing durability
there has been nothing sacrificed in the quality of aeration delivered to you
pond, tank or lagoon. These airstone break air up into small air bubbles to increase
the surface area between water and air to increase transfer rates. Small air bubbles
also enables the bubble column to move water with it and so allow for circulation
of your water body. We have also design an airstone specifically designed to work
well in an earth pond. These 7" diameter dome airstones have a plate on the bottom
to prevent the airstone from digging into the pond and burying themselves in the
pond.
Claims:
Use to diffuse the air at the bottom of the water source.
Aeration is most effective when air bubbles are very small. Small bubbles increase
diffusion of oxygen from the air into the water. Can increase oxygen absorption
(your aeration process) efficiency by 800%. Will outlast rubber diffusers.
Our
Experience: Poor performance, cheap price, you get what you pay for!
Available
at:
www.fishfarmsupply.com
www.koenderswindmills.com
| Aqua
Air ™ AquaMaster Aeration Diffuser Dual Disc Assembly = $200
Shipping Extra
LAKE
AND POND BENEFITS • Entire water column circulation — up to 4000 gallons per minute
depending on diffuser depth • Elimination of thermal stratification • Increased
dissolved oxygen levels that stimulate the natural aerobic digestion process thus
reducing nutrient levels and associated algal growth • Elimination of oxygen related
fish kills and expansion of the oxygenated habitat and ecosystem • Reduction of
mosquito and aquatic midge infestations • Elimination of foul odors from undesirable
dissolved gases • Reduction of organic bottom sediment • Preservation of a healthy
aquatic ecosystem and an aesthetically pleasing aquascape to view and enjoy through
improved water quality.
AquaAirTM provides ponds and lakes with superior
aeration, circulation, and de-stratification. Dissolved oxygen (DO) levels are
increased throughout the entire water column with the use of bottom-mounted diffusers.
The diffusers employ a super fine micro-bubble technology resulting in the highest
diffuser oxygen transfer rates (OTR) available today. The micro-bubbles entrain
bottom water and synergistically lift it to the surface where atmospheric oxygen
is absorbed and then transferred throughout the water column.
Available
at: aeratorsaquatics4lakesnponds.com |
Email
us for more information or with your questions.
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