Your water needs oxygen...
Each body of water has a Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), which, if not met, can cause oxygen depletion. Oxygen depletion of the lower layers in a lake, pond, or large water feature produces:

• Anoxic released of nutrients, metals and other minerals such as phosphates
• Release of hydrogen sulfide and other noxious gasses
• Ideal conditions for algae blooms and anaerobic pathogens
• Fish kills

Aeration Aeration, properly applied, will meet the BOD of the water feature, and produce a balance in dissolved oxygen (DO) levels throughout the water column, between the surface and bottom, or sludge, layers. Such as:

• Encourages healthy life forms to compete for nutrients
• Keeps metals, minerals, and other substances sequestered on the bottom
• Creates a sound ecological environment for the entire food chain

Bottom Aeration...
Bottom aeration makes the most sense, because that's where oxygen is most needed - at the bottom, or sludge, layer. High oxygen levels at the sludge/water interface encourages the growth of beneficial microorganisms and other forms of life at the beginning of the food chain.

"Thermal stratification is the single greatest cause of eutrophic lakes and ponds..."

Oxygen also suppresses the release of substances that nourish filamentous algae, anaerobic bacteria and other pathogens, as well as the release of phosphates and heavy metals like iron and manganese.

Fine-bubble, bottom-laid aeration also moves the most water at the lowest cost. By producing a gentle, laminar flow of small bubbles, at a consistent rate of rise, water molecules are moved easily to the surface, where the greatest amount of oxygenation occurs naturally. Fine-bubble, bottom-laid aeration systems are the least expensive to operate, because they are pumping air to the bottom, through special tubing which controls the bubble size and rate of rise. EPAeration systems also operate on standard household (120 VAC, 15-amp circuit) current, which represents a considerable operating-cost savings over competitive systems.

Aerators which produce large bubbles, with a generally uncontrolled release system, have been shown to be much less effective in moving water, because the bubbles tend to "cone", or form large bubbles. This is also true of diffusion stones, which produce a myriad of tiny bubbles. In both cases, the resulting large bubbles move very few water molecules to the surface. The gentle, laminar flow of bubbles produced by EPAeration systems also produce convection, or "turn" in the water. This "turn" ensures a balance in the DO levels throughout the water column. Our systems also produce the highest documented oxygen transfer levels in the industry. Finally, the laminar flow and turn produce more even temperatures throughout the water column, and eliminate thermal stratification - the formation of a thermocline layer which prevents circulation and results in oxygen depletion of the lower strata.