Pond Aeration Through Venturi Effect

This system turns a submersible pump for a pond into a small aerator, providing oxygenation to the pond; this is ideal in case the pond, or a corner of the pond, requiers additional aeration.

-n°1 small submersible pump for pond/aquarium, with exit nozzle connectable to flexible hoses;

-n°2 flexible hoses, with approximately the same length (diameter adequate for the connection with previous nozzle);

-n°1 plastic tee with size adequate for its connection to previous flexible hoses;

NOTE: It is assumed that You already have one pond and You have managed to provide electric power near it to feed the submersible pump.

The first flexible hose has to be connected to the nozzle of the submersible pump.

One of the two opposite ends of the tee has to be connected to the free end of the first flexible hose.

The other opposite end of the tee has to be connected to one of the ends of the second flexible hose.

The pump will be placed in the pond, in a deep point. The flexible hoses with tee should reach a branch, or similar object, placed above the water surface of the pond; the tee should stay in the highest point near the branch, while the free end of the second hose should stay below the water surface, in a shallow point far enough from the submersible pump.

 Once the submersible pump is started, the water flowing through the small tee will provide a negative pressure inside the tee, through the Venturi effect. The negative pressure will in turn suck external air through the third free end of the tee. Sucked air will be mixed with the water and will be discharged inside the pond. Please pay attention that flow and position of the tee and the free end of the hose may be adjusted/optimized in order to have the air sucked through the tee. If the positions are optimized You will be able to see bubbles exiting from the free end of the hose.

With this process performed continuously, or maybe only through the contribution of a small solar panel if You prefer, You will add oxygen to the water sucked from the deep part of the pond, where oxygen may be less concentrated. Water with less oxygen will be transferred from the deep of the pond to the surface, enriched with a bit of oxygen, while the water in the deep of the pond will be slowly replaced by the water from the surface, more rich in oxygen.

FINAL NOTES

The submersible pump should be protected from possible solid matter clogging its inlet, like leaves or similar.

According to the fishes in the pond, and the plants growing in it, the pond may not need such aeration system; also, some ponds may need a better aeration, through dedicate blowers and diffusers. However, if Your pond just needs a small additional amount of oxygen, the system described may be adequate, and also cheap.