Windmills

What does a Wingard aerator do, or why do you need one? A pond that is not maintained is not a healthy body of water in most cases. When you see a filthy or dirty pond, or smell a stinky pond, there is a definite problem. The problem is no, or little, oxygen, and too much bacteria in the water caused by dead water (water not moving), spring water run-off and ground water which has a lot of minerals in it. This is like a fertilizer for plants like algae and other water plants.

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In a winterkill these plants die off and sink to the bottom to be decomposed. To decompose something it takes oxygen. On normal bodies of water oxygen does not go down further than three (3) feet from the surface. That is why some ponds and lakes have sludge on the bottom. The weeds sink to to bottom partially decomposed and then just lie on the bottom creating anaerobic bacteria (a non oxygen using bacteria) which gives off hydrogen sulfide gas. This contaminates the water, lets the algae grow, and makes the water stink and taste bad.

According to the DNR, aerating your pond is the best treatment. No chemicals are used which might activate other problems. It is all natural.

What is Winterkill?

Once an icy mantle covers a body of water, surface replenishment of oxygen from the air stops. It must rely on rooted aquatic plants, algae, and an oxygen reserve. These plants and algae need sunlight to produce oxygen by way of synthesis.

It's no accident that the best ice fishing can occur in the vicinity of oxygen-producing green vegetation. If too much snow and ice blocks out light, then the plants and algae cease to produce oxygen. Consequently, the plants and algae die, and you get even more oxygen consumption due to their decomposition. Additionally, once there is a build up of harmful gases like carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide and methane, with no way to escape, you end up with a precarious situation for fish.

Lakes susceptible to winterkill are shallow fertile lakes with lots of organic matter. Deeper, less fertile lakes can hold more of a reserve of precious oxygen and they use it up slower. The fertility of the water contributes to a higher oxygen consumption due to a higher number of organisms and their decomposition, once, those on the lower end of the food chain expire.

Add that to a heavy snow cover for an extended period of time, any you have a recipe for the winterkill of fish. Biologists say three inches of ice, covered by five inches of snow will keep out 99 percent of available light.

To prevent the severity of winter die-offs on small ponds, us a WINGARD WINDMILL AERATOR to keep the ice off the pond to pump air into the water. DNR reports drilling holes in the ice will not help.

Oxygen-devoid layer:

In fertile ponds, an oxygen-devoid bottom layer can develop in late summer, which not only reduces the area in which fish can inhabit, but it may cause a fall fish kill when the water cools and the oxygen-devoid layer mixes with the rest of the pond. The thorough mixing of the water also aids in the breakdown of nutrients from the feeding of the fish, and it keeps the pond crystal clear without excessive amounts of mats of floating algae. It's a small price to pay for healthy, fast growing, and clear water.

This aerator is designed for low maintenance and to be long lasting. The structure is made of aluminum and stainless steel bolts; the pump is made of heavy duty material, yet is very pliable in cold weather conditions and is designed for dirty elements. it comes with ball bearings with grease zerts.

Remember: Stainless steel and aluminum will not rust! No rust means No Painting! Available in 20 and 30 foot heights. Please contact Volz Farm Market for more information.