I finally put in my new aerator. :) It took me most of the day to get it set up and get the holes drilled in the container to vent. I ended up putting a weight on the airline about 6-8 inches up from the stone. The float that it came with kept moving to the side of the pond [like KK said it would] in an area that I didn't want it to be so I took it off. The stone is now sitting right on the bottom. Will that be ok or should I have it up off the bottom some? :unsure: It has an adjustment to adjust the bubbler [?] how much should it bubble? I have it adjusted about a 1/4 turn of the full adjustment. Does that sound right for my small pond?
It surprised me by how quiet it is. I didn't expect that. So far I am loving it. :wub:

This is what I bought: http://www.aqua-mart.com/lpt1630.html

Like a dummy I should have bought it from Fosters and Smith. I don't know what the heck I was thinking. :wacko:

Why DFS, for my tiny percentage? That's ok. Jeff at Aquamart is my only rotating banner advertizer that I've always had from the beginning of Fishpondinfo.com; I get $20 a month for that. I encourage people to buy from Aquamart; they have good service.

I too have to weigh down my air stone. I use aquarium plant weights wrapped around the tubing. My air stone sits on the bottom; that's fine unless your pond is over 3 feet, or you have super cold winters like KK.

I just realized that in using "KK," some new site viewers might come along and try to figure out "what is this KK thing?" :P For those new viewers, that's a knick name for one of the posters who calls herself "Koi Krazy." You'll find the frequent posters have started using knick names for each other.

I used a round lead fishing weight to hold down the airline. It is the type that you use to catch fish. Is that a good idea or should I use the ones for aquariums?

It probably doesn't make much of a difference. The lead would only be a problem if a fish shallowed it (and died of lead poisoning). The aquarium weights I use are lead too.

Hey Tia! Ya, those stupid foam floaty things they sell with that kit are rediculous to say the least! I used a fishing lead weight for mine too, but then I freaked out and took it off. I was scared that Naval or Zephyr would eat it and die! Like Robyn said, it is probably fine though. I am gad you got the aerator working well :-) I am not sure what setting you should use. Just wing it! You'll be able to tell, lol!! Are you expecting ice???

The lead weight is about the size of a quarter and my fish are still small so I don't think swallowing it is a problem!! We aren't supposed to have ice and normally ice isn't a problem until January. We did have some snow today and it made it nice for the folks that came to cut their Christmas trees!

The fish really seem to like having the aerator in the pond. They hang out by it, swim through it or just let the air bubbles push them up near the surface. Who knew they would have fun with it!!

If I had to, let's say my pump went out (bite my tongue!), could I disconnect the spitter and run only the aerator in the winter?

I only have an aerator running and nothing else!

Well if you can do it KK then I should be able to. My pond is way, way smaller than yours and my fish are too! :)
Your situation just got me thinking about what could happen in the winter time. :o

Thanks!!

Yup, it definately sucks! My ice is so thick now that I can't measure it anymore :blink:

I noticed a few days ago that I had a little moisture on the inside walls of the container that houses the aerator. I assume that moisture is from the heat generated from the motor. My aerator just sits on the bottom of the container. I did check it yesterday and there wasn't any moisture in the container. Should I have something on the bottom to absorb the moisture if it starts to pool up or is that a problem with these aerators?

You don't want water getting into the aerator. If you can just elevate it up a half inch off the ground, that should keep any liquid that gets in there off of the aerator. If it gets a little wet, it will probably be okay. I'm sure mine has gotten wet under its little black "house." I will move this topic to the ponds and winter section.