Currently, almost all aquaculture operators install one or more pond aerators in their fish ponds. It’s safe to say that pond aerators have become indispensable fishing machinery for fish farmers. As the name suggests—“aerator”—one of its primary functions is to replenish oxygen in the water; this is also one of the three major functions of pond aerators.

What are the functions of an aeration machine for fish ponds?

Currently, almost all aquaculture farmers install one or more pond aerators in their fish ponds. It’s safe to say that pond aerators have become indispensable fishing equipment for fish farmers. As the name suggests—“aerator”—one of its primary functions is to replenish oxygen in the water; this is also one of the three major functions of pond aerators.

Although fish live in water, they still need oxygen. When the oxygen content in the water is low, fish tend to float their heads more frequently. An aeration machine for fish ponds works 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 comes into contact with the water and dissolves into it, achieving an aeration effect.

In addition, the aerator has two functions: aeration and water temperature regulation.

Because the water contains aquatic plants and other aquatic organisms, which release certain harmful gases during their metabolic processes, the aerator—through the rotation of its impeller—stirs up waves on the water’s surface, facilitating the escape of these harmful gases from the water. Harmful gases such as hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, methane, and sulfur dioxide are desorbed from the water and released into the air. This process is known as “aeration.”

Moreover, once the aeration machine for the fish pond is started, it stirs the water, helping to maintain a balanced water temperature throughout the pond and preventing excessive temperature differences between the upper and lower layers. This is especially effective during summer.

When should the oxygenator for the fish pond be turned on?

First, turn on the aerator at noon on a sunny day: At this time, there’s a significant temperature difference between the upper and lower layers of the fish pond, making it difficult for oxygen to be replenished promptly in the lower layer. If you activate the aerator, it can break through the water resistance, allowing the upper and lower layers to exchange water. This also greatly reduces the stratification, enabling more oxygen to be replenished in the lower layer.

Second, start up the system on a cloudy morning: At this time, due to the weak solar radiation, phytoplankton produce less oxygen through photosynthesis, resulting in poorer dissolved oxygen conditions throughout the water body. Therefore, starting up early in the morning when dissolved oxygen levels are low can help mitigate the risk of fish surfacing due to oxygen deficiency around dawn.

Third, continuous rainy weather requiring nighttime aeration: In this situation, the intensity of sunlight is weaker than on cloudy days, and the phytoplankton in the fish pond produce very little oxygen through photosynthesis. Therefore, it’s necessary to turn on the aeration system at midnight to prevent the fish from suffocating in the pond.

4. Do not turn on the aeration system on clear nights: This prevents disturbing the sediment at the bottom of the pond and reduces oxygen consumption. At this time, photosynthesis by phytoplankton in the pond should have already ceased, meaning they can no longer supply oxygen to the water. If the aeration system is turned on, dissolved oxygen in the upper layer of water will decrease and fail to be replenished, while dissolved oxygen in the lower layer will be quickly depleted. As a result, the rate of oxygen consumption will accelerate, making it more likely for fish to exhibit surfacing behavior the next day.

5. Don't turn on the lights on cloudy days: this could harm phytoplankton, which rely on weak sunlight near the surface to carry out photosynthesis.

When using an aerator, in addition to adhering to the principle of "three on, two off," you must also flexibly adjust the duration of operation based on seasonal changes, water quality, and weather conditions.

In hot weather, the boot-up time is longer; in cool weather, the boot-up time is shorter.

The boot-up time is long at midnight and short at noon.

After fertilization, the machine runs for a longer duration; without fertilization, it runs for a shorter duration.

The fan runs longer when the wind is light and shorter when the wind is strong.