Subsurface Pond Aeration System Installation

Step 1: Excavate and Drain the Utility Trench

Drain standing water and dig the 500 ft utility trench from barn to pond.

Watch this step (2:55)

You'll need: Submersible utility pump, Backhoe loader

1. 1.1 Pump standing water from the trench
   • Set a submersible utility pump and discharge hose in the flooded trench.
   • Pump standing water clear of the work area before digging the rest.
2. 1.2 Excavate the utility trench with a backhoe
   • Dig the 500 ft trench from power source to pond with a backhoe.
   • Leave permanent subpanel feeder wire connections to a licensed electrician.

Key measurements

• Buried electrical trench length: 500 ft from barn to pond panel

• Tip: Bury a shallow 1 in airline from an existing outlet if lakeside power is unneeded.
• Heads up: Have a licensed electrician complete permanent subpanel and buried feeder terminations.

Step 2: Prepare the Gravel Pad and Conduit Trench

Build a level gravel cabinet pad, lay two 2 in PVC shoreline sleeves, and stage temporary power.

Watch this step (5:01)

Parts in this step: (A) Airmax PS20 aerator compressor and base, (B) Compressor manifold with feeder lines

You'll need: Golf cart, Compact utility tractor with loader, Round-point shovel, Trenching shovel, Torpedo level, Portable power station, Pond aeration system, Crushed stone, PVC conduit pipe

1. 2.1 Spread and level crushed stone for the cabinet pad
   • Dump crushed stone in shade, such as under a solar array.
   • Spread the stone with a shovel and check the pad with a torpedo level.
   • Set the Airmax PS20 aerator compressor and base (A) flat on the stone pad.
2. 2.2 Lay dual 2-inch PVC conduit pipes in the shoreline trench
   • Dig a shallow trench from the gravel pad to the water's edge.
   • Lay two 2 in PVC conduit pipes side by side in the shoreline trench.
   • Use one 2 in pipe per hose; two 5/8 in hoses cannot fit in one 3 in pipe.
3. 2.3 Route the compressor feeder tubes and stage temporary power
   • Route the two blue lines from compressor manifold with feeder lines (B) out the base bottom.
   • Bend both flexible feeder lines sideways toward the PVC conduit tops.
   • Set a portable power station by the pad for temporary AC power.

Key measurements

• Shoreline protective conduit diameter: 2 in PVC pipe, one per airline

• Tip: Shade the cabinet to keep sun and rain off the housing.
• Tip: Pack crushed stone under and around the base to deter nesting mice.

Before you move on: Level the compressor base on the gravel pad before connecting airlines.

Step 3: Uncoil and Sleeve the Weighted Airlines

Uncoil two 100 ft rolls of 5/8 in weighted rubber hose without kinks and push through the PVC sleeves.

Watch this step (6:19)

You'll need: Weighted rubber air hose, PVC conduit pipe

1. 3.1 Uncoil the weighted rubber hoses along the shoreline
   • Unbox the 100 ft coil of 5/8 in weighted rubber air hose.
   • Walk backward on the bank, twisting the hose to remove coil memory.
   • Lay both 100 ft runs flat along the shoreline so they sink without kinking.
2. 3.2 Push the weighted hose through the PVC conduit sleeve
   • Push the cabinet end of each 5/8 in weighted hose up a 2 in PVC conduit.
   • Pull both hose ends out the conduit tops by the compressor base.

Key measurements

• Weighted airline size: 5/8 in inside diameter, 100 ft roll

• Tip: Sleeve the bank hoses in PVC to guard against lawnmower blades.

Before you move on: Check both uncoiled 100 ft hoses on the bank have zero twists or loops.

Step 4: Connect Airlines to the Compressor Cabinet

Join both 5/8 in weighted hoses to the 3/8 in blue compressor feeder tubes with brass reducer barbs and hose clamps.

Watch this step (7:50)

Parts in this step: (B) Compressor manifold with feeder lines

You'll need: Screwdriver / nut driver, Weighted rubber air hose, Brass hose barbs, Hose clamps

1. 4.1 Insert brass reducer barbs and clamp the hoses
   • Slide stainless steel hose clamps over the 5/8 in weighted hoses and blue feeder lines.
   • Push each brass reducer barb's 5/8 in end into a weighted rubber hose.
   • Push each brass barb's 3/8 in end into a blue line from the compressor manifold with feeder lines (B).
   • Tighten both hose clamps on each brass barb with a nut driver.

Key measurements

• Brass reducer barb size: 3/8 in feeder to 5/8 in weighted hose

• Tip: Seat the thick rubber hose fully onto the stepped barb with both hands.

Before you move on: Tug both joints to check the clamps hold before starting the compressor.

Step 5: Attach Retrieval Rope and Test First Diffuser

Tie a retrieval rope to the first diffuser sled and check fine-bubble output in shallow water.

Watch this step (8:12)

Parts in this step: (A) Airmax PS20 aerator compressor and base, (C) First fine-bubble diffuser sled

You'll need: Portable power station, Pond aeration system, Retrieval rope

1. 5.1 Tie a retrieval rope and submerge the first diffuser in shallow water
   • Tie a retrieval rope to the first fine-bubble diffuser sled (C) center manifold.
   • Turn on the portable power station and start the Airmax PS20 aerator compressor and base (A).
   • Sink the first diffuser sled in 4 in of bank water to check fine bubbles.

Key measurements

• Shallow test depth: 4 in of shoreline water

• Tip: Lift the sled vertically by rope from a boat for future cleaning.
• Heads up: Never drag a silted-in diffuser sled by the air hose, or the plastic barb snaps.

Before you move on: Check even tiny bubbles rise across all four diffuser sticks before building the second sled.

Step 6: Assemble and Connect the Second Diffuser Sled

Build the second fine-bubble diffuser sled with PTFE tape and clamp it to the second weighted airline.

Watch this step (9:02)

Parts in this step: (D) Second fine-bubble diffuser sled

You'll need: Screwdriver / nut driver, Pond aeration system, Weighted rubber air hose, Hose clamps, Teflon thread seal tape

1. 6.1 Seal and thread the top cap onto the diffuser manifold
   • Unscrew the top cap and internal rubber O-ring from the second fine-bubble diffuser sled (D) manifold.
   • Wrap the blue plastic manifold's top male threads with Teflon thread seal tape.
   • Thread the O-ring cap onto the manifold hand-tight.
2. 6.2 Tape and install the check valve and 5/8-inch hose barb
   • Unscrew the black check valve from the blue manifold's bottom inlet.
   • Wrap the manifold bottom male threads with Teflon tape, never pipe paste.
   • Point the check valve airflow arrow into the manifold and thread on hand-tight.
   • Wrap the 5/8 in plastic barb threads with Teflon tape and thread into the check valve.
3. 6.3 Mount the black sled base and screw in the four diffuser sticks
   • Fit both black plastic sled-base halves over the four manifold side ports.
   • Thread the four gray perforated diffuser sticks into the ports without Teflon tape.
   • Hand-tighten the four diffuser sticks until they clamp the sled base.
4. 6.4 Clamp the second weighted airline onto the diffuser barb
   • Slide two stainless steel hose clamps onto the second 5/8 in weighted hose end.
   • Push the weighted hose fully onto the 5/8 in plastic diffuser inlet barb.
   • Tighten both hose clamps on the barb with a nut driver.

Key measurements

• Diffuser inlet barb diameter: 5/8 in male thread to 5/8 in hose barb

• Tip: Put two hose clamps on the underwater diffuser barb so the heavy line cannot slip off.
• Heads up: Never use pipe paste on diffuser threads; it clogs the microscopic membrane pores.
• Heads up: Hand-tighten plastic manifold fittings; wrenches can crack the threads.

Before you move on: Check the black check valve arrow points into the blue diffuser manifold.

Step 7: Test Both Diffusers in Shallow Water

Tie a retrieval rope to the second diffuser sled and test both heads side by side ashore.

Watch this step (12:08)

Parts in this step: (A) Airmax PS20 aerator compressor and base, (C) First fine-bubble diffuser sled, (D) Second fine-bubble diffuser sled

You'll need: Pond aeration system, Retrieval rope

1. 7.1 Tie a rope to the second diffuser and place it in the pond
   • Tie a retrieval rope to the center manifold of the second fine-bubble diffuser sled (D).
   • Set the second sled in shallow water beside the first fine-bubble diffuser sled (C).
2. 7.2 Switch on the compressor to verify both diffusers bubble
   • Switch on the Airmax PS20 aerator compressor and base (A).
   • Check both submerged diffuser sleds make steady fine-bubble clouds along the bank.

• Tip: Use a sinking or weighted rope so fishing lures do not snag floating line.

Before you move on: Check that no air leaks from the taped cap or check valve threads on either manifold.

Step 8: Deploy the Diffusers into Deep Water by Boat

Boat both diffuser sleds 100 ft into deep water and balance the manifold valves.

Watch this step (12:48)

Parts in this step: (B) Compressor manifold with feeder lines, (C) First fine-bubble diffuser sled, (D) Second fine-bubble diffuser sled

You'll need: Jon boat with electric trolling motor, Pond aeration system, Weighted rubber air hose, Retrieval rope

1. 8.1 Motor out and lower the first diffuser into 19 feet of water
   • Set the first fine-bubble diffuser sled (C) on the jon boat bow.
   • Motor backward to the pond center as a shore helper feeds the 5/8 in hose.
   • Lower the first sled upright to the bottom in 19 ft of water by the retrieval rope.
2. 8.2 Close the shallow line's manifold valve to force air to the deep diffuser
   • Return to shore; all air escapes through the shallow second diffuser at 4 in depth.
   • Close the shallow valve on the compressor manifold with feeder lines (B) to force air to the 19 ft head.
   • Check for a strong surface boil over the deep diffuser.
3. 8.3 Deploy the second diffuser into deep water by boat
   • Re-open the second valve on the compressor manifold with feeder lines (B).
   • Motor out 100 ft with the second fine-bubble diffuser sled (D), paying out the second hose.
   • Lower the second sled to the bottom by its rope and check both deep-water boils run together.

Key measurements

• First diffuser deployment depth: 19 ft to 20 ft of water
• Airline deployment distance: 100 ft from the shoreline cabinet per diffuser

• Tip: Motor in reverse to pull the heavy airline straight off the bow, clear of the propeller.
• Heads up: Check the trolling motor is clamped to a solid transom before pulling heavy hose under load.

Before you move on: Check for two active fine-bubble surface boils with both manifold valves open.

Step 9: Backfill the Trench and Install the Cabinet Cover

Backfill the conduit trench, tuck hose joints under the cabinet base, and fasten the faux-rock cover.

Watch this step (16:55)

Parts in this step: (A) Airmax PS20 aerator compressor and base, (B) Compressor manifold with feeder lines, (E) Weatherproof faux-rock cabinet cover

You'll need: Round-point shovel, Portable power station, Pond aeration system, Crushed stone, PVC conduit pipe

1. 9.1 Backfill the conduit trench and tuck hose connections under the base
   • Shovel soil over both 2 in PVC conduit pipes in the shoreline trench.
   • Push the brass barb and hose-clamp connections into the cavity under the Airmax PS20 aerator compressor and base (A).
   • Pack crushed stone around the compressor base perimeter.
2. 9.2 Secure the faux-rock cover and check wattage draw
   • Set and fasten the weatherproof faux-rock cabinet cover (E) over the compressor base.
   • Clear crushed stone from the bottom intake sponge filter and side exhaust port.
   • Check the portable power station display shows a steady 540 W to 542 W power draw.

Key measurements

• Operating power draw: 540 W to 542 W continuous on both heads

• Tip: Keep gravel off the intake sponge and exhaust vent so the compressor cools.