In this guide, I’ll teach you all about pond aerator, how you can choose the right one for you, and review the best pond aerators for you.
Top Picks For Pond Aerators
From the seven products we reviewed, the best pond aerators are the following:
- Best for small ponds: Airmax Pond Air 2
- Best for medium ponds: Airmax Koi Air 1
- Best for large ponds: Air Pro Deluxe
Last update on 2023-12-01 / Commissions Earned / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Last update on 2023-12-01 / Commissions Earned / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Last update on 2023-12-01 / Commissions Earned / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Benefits of a Pond Aerator
The main function of aeration is to add dissolved oxygen to your pond water. Air is pushed through tubing to a diffuser using an electric pump. This causes a column of bubbles to rise from the diffuser to the water’s surface.
This process lets much needed oxygen into the water and also gases out carbon dioxide.
It also gets your otherwise stagnant pond water moving. As the bubbles rush to the surface, they create lift. This causes water at the bottom of the pond to travel upward with the bubbles and then circulate back towards the bottom.
This water circulation is greatly beneficial for several reasons:
- Decreases algae growth
- Prevents pond stratification
- Keeps ice from forming in winter
Increased water flow can help cut back on algae blooms since spores will be carried away from the surface, giving them less time in the sunlight they need to grow.
Since pond water normally doesn’t circulate, it becomes stratified. Meaning, it tends to be warm and oxygen rich at the top, and colder and completely devoid of oxygen at the bottom. Because of this, fish can’t swim in deeper areas since there is no oxygen for them to breathe.
The water circulation that comes from aeration keeps the water all mixed together and prevents it from becoming stratified. This lets fish use the entire pond instead of just the higher layers.
If you live in an area where freezing temperatures are common in the winter, your entire pond can freeze over, cutting off oxygen to the water and killing your fish.
Running an aerator during cold months will keep ice from forming directly overhead and give your fish a safe area to overwinter.
How to Choose A Pond Areator
Pond Size
Not all ponds are created equal, and neither are all pond aerators.
You’re going to need a much bigger aerator for a pond that takes up half an acre than for one that is only 3 feet by 9 feet (1 meter by 3 meters).
Look to see what size pond the aerator is rated for before you make a decision.
Most aerator kits state how many gallons they are rated for.
Pro Tip: To help you calculate how many gallons your pond holds, use this nifty pond calculator.
If the aerator doesn’t state how many gallons it can handle, look for a CFM (cubic feet per minute) rating.
A CFM output of 0.1 could be sufficient for a small pond but you’d need something like 2.5 CFM for a 1 acre pond.
Pond Depth
It’s not just about how far across your pond is. It also matters how deep it is.
The deeper the water, the more pressure it takes to push the air out of the diffuser.
If your pump isn’t powerful enough, it won’t be able to push through enough air to effectively aerate your pond. Or if the pump is too underpowered, it may not be able to fight the water pressure enough to put out any bubbles at all.
Pond Shape
The shape of your pond makes a difference when it comes to aeration, specifically, whether you can get away with just one diffuser or if you will need two or more.
A pond that is essentially round really only needs one diffuser in the middle. As long as the aerator pumps enough air, it will create a current that circulates water in every part of the pond.
But if a pond has an irregular shape, it’s possible for there to be dead spots with no circulation. Then you would need to add multiple diffusers to keep the water in these areas moving. So it might be better to go with an aerator that has multiple outlets instead of just one.
7 Best Pond Aerators reviewed
Pro Tip: There is one thing all of these aerators have in common: all of the pumps have to be protected from the elements. You’ll need to place them in a garage/shed or underneath some sort of cover to keep them dry.
1. Aquascape 75000 Pond Air 2
Key Features:
- 0.5 CFM pump
- Winter resistant airline
- Non-return check valves
- Two 4-inch (10 centimeter) weighted airstones
- Rated for up to 2,000 gallons (7,570 liters)
The Aquascape 75000 comes with two outlets, great for aerating either end of a pond.
It comes with two 25-foot (7.6 meter) rolls of silicone airline that already have non-return check valves installed. This keeps water from back flowing into your pump if there is a power failure.
The kit also includes two 4-inch airstones that are weighted so they will stay at the bottom of the pond. The pump is capable of putting out 0.5 CFM and the manufacturer rates it for up to 2,000 gallons (7,570 liters) at a maximum depth of 8.5 feet (2.6 meters).
Pros:
- Two outlets lets you aerate different areas of the pond at the same time
- Weighted airstones stay in place when air is turned on
Cons:
- Does not come with weighted airline
Last update on 2023-12-01 / Commissions Earned / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
2. Air Pro Deluxe Pond Aerator Kit by Living Water
Key Features:
- 2.3 CFM pump
- 100 feet (30.5 meters) of weighted airline
- Large membrane diffuser
The Air Pro Deluxe is a powerful air pump rated for up to a 1 acre pond. It is definitely meant for very large ponds since it can put out 2.3 CFM of air.
The ¼ horsepower compressor comes with 100 feet of weighted airline and a large membrane diffuser mounted on a metal plate.
The compressor comes with a 2 year warranty and the tubing and diffuser are covered for 5 years. It is a high quality aerator system that would be an excellent choice for larger ponds.
Pros:
- ¼ horsepower compressor is powerful enough to aerate large livestock ponds
- Weighted airline and diffuser will stay in place
- Company stands behind products with warranties
Cons:
- Much too powerful for small ornamental ponds
Last update on 2023-12-01 / Commissions Earned / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
3. Laguna Aeration Kit for Ponds
Key Features:
- Air compressor (manufacturer does not specify output)
- 30 feet (9 meters) of airline tubing
- 1 inch (2.5 centimeter) airstone
- Float to adjust diffuser depth
The Laguna Aeration Kit works a little differently than most. The airstone is connected to a styrofoam float that lets it stay off the bottom of the pond. When air is turned on, the airstone can push itself around the pond.
Unfortunately, the manufacturer does not specify how much air the compressor puts out or what size/depth pond it can handle.
I would recommend this for small ornamental ponds only.
Pros:
- Aerates larger area since it moves
- Won’t stir up the bottom
Cons:
- Manufacturer doesn’t specify capability
- Only good for small ponds
Last update on 2023-12-01 / Commissions Earned / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
4. Tetra Pond APK100 Air Pump Kit
Key Features:
- 0.117 CFM pump
- Dual outlet
- 30 feet (9 meters) of airline tubing
- Two 2 inch (5 centimeter) airstones
The Tetra Pond APK100 is meant for a small pond and is only rated for a 2 foot (60 centimeter) depth.
The dual outlet and 30 feet of airline lets you aerate two different areas.
The product information states that it can handle up to a 5,000 gallon (18,900 liter) pond, but I’d take that with a grain of salt and say up to 500 gallons (1,800 liters).
Pros:
- Dual output can cover more than one area
- Economical for small ponds
Cons:
- Manufacturer only rates at 2 foot depth
- Tubing and airstones aren’t weighted
- Only suitable for small ponds
Last update on 2023-12-01 / Commissions Earned / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
5. Airmax Koi Air 1 Water Garden Aeration Kit
Key Features:
- 0.8 CFM pump
- Weighted airline
- Two diffusers on a weighted plate
The Airmax KoiAir 1 is a great choice for medium sized ponds (2,000-8,000 gallons/7,500-30,00 liters), that are up to 4 feet (120 centimeters) deep.
The dual diffusers are designed to maximize the airflow without clogging. They’re also flexible which helps prevent cracking.
The weighted airline and diffuser plate should keep everything right where you want it.
Pros:
- Great for medium-sized ponds
- Airline and diffuser will not float
Cons:
- May be overkill for smaller ponds
Last update on 2023-12-01 / Commissions Earned / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
6. Blue Diamond ETA 80 Pond Air Pump with Built in Alarm
Key Features:
- 2.6 CFM pump
- Alarm to notify that air flow has stopped
This listing is just for the pump itself, it is not a kit. So plan on picking out your own tubing and airstones.
It has a powerful 2.6 CFM pump that’s suitable for large ponds.
This pump also features a high pitched alarm that will alert you if the CFM drops.
You get a 2 year warranty and replacement parts are available if you need to service the pump.
Pros:
- Powerful enough for large ponds
- Alarm notifies you if CFM drops
Cons:
- Pump only, doesn’t include any other equipment
Last update on 2023-12-01 / Commissions Earned / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
7. Airmax Pond Air 2 Aeration Kit
Key Features:
- 0.15 CFM pump
- Dual outlets
- Two 30 foot rolls of airline tubing
- Non-return check valves
The Airmax Pond Air 2 is ideal for ponds that are less than two feet (60 centimeters) deep and up to 1,000 gallons.
It has dual outputs that allow you to aerate different areas in your pond.
Non-return check valves are included that will prevent water from back flowing into the pump if there is a power failure.
Pros:
- Dual outlets for more coverage
- Included check valves
Cons:
- Only rated for shallow ponds
- Airline and airstones are not weighted
Last update on 2023-12-01 / Commissions Earned / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Which is Best
The biggest factor to consider when choosing an aerator is the size of your pond. Something meant for small ponds won’t be effective for a ½ acre pond. On the other hand, something meant for large ponds would just blast the water out of a small pond.
For smaller ponds, the Airmax Pond Air 2 is a good choice. It’s gentle but still has enough CFM to circulate the water well.
Last update on 2023-12-01 / Commissions Earned / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Airmax Koi Air 1 would be the best choice for medium sized ponds that are under 4 feet (1.2 meters) deep. It has the power to circulate a lot of water without making your pond resemble a hot tub. I also really like the design of the diffuser.
Last update on 2023-12-01 / Commissions Earned / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
For large ponds over 8,000 gallons (30,000 liters), the Air Pro Deluxe is most likely the best choice. This powerful pump has the CFM needed to circulate thousands of gallons of water.
Last update on 2023-12-01 / Commissions Earned / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
