FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- (Q) Why does the tubing need to be in the deepest part of the lake when my algae is mostly on the
edges?
- (A) Aeration only starts at the point of bubble rise. In order to circulate the entire water volume of
the lake, the tubing must be in the deepest part. As the bubble rises and dissolves 02 into the water, it
causes water molecules to rise as well. Gravity forces denser, cooler water down to the deep areas,
creating convection currents that ensure all areas are oxygenated. Also, if there are deep pockets that are
not oxygenated they become "nutrient sinks". This will cause nutrients that feed algae to rise to the
surface.
- (A) Ozone (O3) dissolves into water 13 times faster than O2. This allows for a quicker oxidation of
organic material, a less dense water molecule (faster rise), and actually reduces the surface tension of the
water molecule, causing suspended solids to drop out quicker. Ozone also keeps the inside of the tubing
clean, reducing maintenance.
- (Q) Will ozone harm the fish or other wildlife?
- (A) The relatively small amount of ozone used in E P Aeration lake systems is
on exiting the tubing and poses no threat to wildlife.
- (Q) Why does E P Aeration recommend multiple compressors?
- (A) Multiple oil-less air compressors are used to build redundancy into our systems. In other words,
if one compressor fails the entire system won't be down. Also, the cost per horse power for single
compressors escalates rapidly after 2-3 HP.
- (A) Even though aeration systems are not designed to eliminate rooted plants there have been cases
where the weeds have gone away. This is probably due to the subtle change in the benthic (sludge) layer
and other organisms out-competing the plants for nutrients.
- (Q) I don't have algae in the winter, why should I run my aeration system?
- (A) It is just as critical to operate the aeration system in the winter. Even though there may not be any
algae on the surface of the water, there are still biological processes taking place. While greatly slowed
down, it is important to maintain these processes with high 02 levels. If 02 levels fall below 2 parts per
million (ppm) all life dies. When the spring thaw comes there will be a tremendous amount of bio-load (food) for a nice fat algae bloom. Also, winter operation can keep a lake from freezing over and prevent winter fish kills.
- (Q) Will an aeration system eliminate algae?
- (A) No! Algae can grow in battery acid and has been found at the polar regions. It is neither possible
nor desirous to eliminate algae from a lake. Single cell, planktonic algae are generally beneficial. The
algae we try to control with aeration are the long stringy filamentous (mossy) types and blue-green algae
some of which are toxic. Remember, the goal of an aeration system is to create a balanced, natural eco
system.
- (Q) Why don't I just kill algae with chemicals when it becomes a nuisance?
- (A) Chemicals such as copper sulphate only treat the symptoms (algae) of the problem and not the
cause (nutrients). The dead algae falls to the bottom of the lake and starts to use oxygen as it begins to
decompose. It also creates more bio-load (food) for the next batch of algae to feed on. One pound of dead
algae will supply enough nutrients to produce five pounds of algae the next year.
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