Every village has several fish ponds, and in recent years, many people have returned home to start their own businesses. As a result, pond aerators have come into play to some extent. However, in fish ponds where fish are raised, you’ll often see machines installed right in the middle of the pond. At first, I had no idea what they were—but after starting to raise fish at home, I realized these were indeed pond aerators.

The function of an aeration machine for fish ponds.

Every village has several fish ponds, and in recent years, many people have returned home to start their own businesses. As a result, pond aerators have come into play to some extent. However, in fish ponds where fish are raised, it’s common to see machines installed right in the middle of the pond. At first, I had no idea what they were—but after starting to raise fish at home, I realized these were indeed pond aerators.

The function of an aeration machine for fish ponds.

Today, virtually everyone engaged in aquaculture installs at least one oxygenation device on their fish ponds. It’s safe to say that oxygenation devices have become indispensable fishing equipment for fish farmers. When it comes to oxygen steam generators, one of their key functions is to supply oxygen to the water—this is also one of the three primary functions of oxygen machines. Fish live in water, but they still need oxygen. If the oxygen concentration in the water is low, fish will start floating to the surface in large numbers. Oxygen steam generators work by using an impeller to accelerate the water flow, greatly increasing the contact between water and air. As a result, abundant oxygen from the air can come into contact with the water and dissolve into it, effectively boosting the oxygen levels.

Oxygen diffusers serve two additional functions: aeration and water temperature regulation. In aquatic environments containing plants and aquatic organisms, metabolic processes can also lead to the accumulation of harmful gases. By rotating its impeller, the oxygen diffuser creates splashes on the water surface. Consequently, the process by which harmful gases such as hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, methane, and sulfur dioxide are stripped from the water and released into the air is known as “aeration.” Once the pond aerator is activated, it stirs the water, helping to maintain a balanced water temperature and preventing excessive temperature differences between the upper and lower layers of the pond—this effect is particularly noticeable during summer. And for pond oxygenation...

What’s the best time to turn on an aeration machine for a fish pond?

Since we now understand the role of aeration machines in fish ponds—primarily to increase dissolved oxygen levels in the water, improve water quality, and reduce the occurrence of “fish escape”—it’s best to turn on the aeration machine at an appropriate time, taking weather conditions into account. On sunny days, it’s generally advisable to start the aeration machine around noon. During this period, there’s a significant temperature difference between the upper and lower layers of the water, and light intensity is high. As a result, aquatic organisms in the lower layer have increased respiration rates and lower oxygen capacities. Therefore, turning on the aeration machine promptly helps replenish oxygen in the water, accelerates water exchange between layers, and prevents the temperature from becoming excessively high in both the upper and lower layers.

On cloudy days, it’s generally better to drive in the morning. At this time, although the light is still dim, photosynthesis by some phytoplankton in the water is very weak, resulting in naturally insufficient dissolved oxygen levels. By turning on an aeration device early in the morning—when the level of dissolved oxygen is low—oxygen levels in the water can be increased, effectively preventing fish from falling into a “fish-pier” crisis due to oxygen deficiency.

Moreover, on rainy days, it’s generally more effective to turn on the aerator in the middle of the night. Due to the prolonged plum rain season, photosynthesis by phytoplankton in fish ponds is greatly affected, leading to a severe shortage of naturally produced oxygen. Oxygen levels typically reach their lowest point around midnight; therefore, turning on the aerator at this time helps prevent fish from suffocating and dying due to oxygen depletion.

Actually, turning on the oxygenator requires careful attention. You shouldn't operate the oxygenator in the evening when the sun is setting; otherwise, the “fish-head” phenomenon is likely to occur the next morning. The duration for which the oxygen producer is left on varies depending on the weather—just like how it’s turned on at noon, it’s left on longer at midnight. On hot days, you should keep it running longer; on cooler days, shorter. When there’s wind, you should run it longer; when it’s calm, you should run it shorter.