A Step-by-Step Guide to Setting Up Your Solar Pond Aerator

By purchasing a solar pond aerator, you have made an environmentally friendly and economic choice. Your pond will be fully aerated with off the grid equipment that won’t add any additional energy costs to your budget. 

The next step is installation. The Solariver™ Solar Pond Aerator is easy to install with just a few simple steps. Here’s a step-by-step guide that will help you get your aerator up and running. 

The first step is to choose a good location for your pond aerator. The solar panels should be in a place that receives direct sunlight throughout the day. When you purchase a solar aerator, sunlight is the source of energy that will run your aerator. Clear the area of debris and make sure there are no tree branches that will cast shade over the solar panels. For a system with no battery, the aerator will run only when the solar panels are receiving light. Also, try to put the air pump in a shaded spot where it is sheltered from the direct sunlight or excessive heat. Also, note that the air pump should be kept out of the pond should not be submerged in water.

Choose a sunny spot where the panel will catch as much of the sun’s arc as possible. Generally this is facing south. Also adjust the angle of the panel by using or removing sections of the ground stake. The farther south you are the flatter the panel should be to maximize sun exposure. Use a steeper installation as you go North and in the Winter . 

Using the wire provided, connect the solar panel to the aerator. This is what gives the system power to start aerating your pond. 

The Solariver™ Solar Pond Aerator comes with 5, 10' lengths of ¼ inch plastic flexible tubing tubing to connect the air pump to the air stones. Depending on the location of your solar panels and the size of your pond, you may need to purchase additional tubing. Tubing can be lengthened using connectors. These can be found at a home supply or aquarium store.

For aesthetic purposes you may choose to bury the tubing underground. This can be done during initial installation or afterwards. It may be best to wait until you test the aerator to make sure it is going to work properly in the location where you have installed it. Once you confirm that it is running and working effectively, you can bury the tubes. 

The air stone is the part that delivers oxygen to the water. Solariver™ Solar Pond Aerator comes with 5 air stones that can be placed in various locations throughout your pond. Depending on the size of your pond and the depth of the water, you can place them by hand or use watercraft to reach the desired location for your air stones. The tubing will float due to air in the line, you can use weights to keep the tubing below the surface. Fishing weights or a stone or brick will work, just make sure you are not cutting off the airflow. 

Once you have everything in place, connect the aerator during the daytime hours when the solar panels are in direct sunlight. Observe its operation to determine if the water is being effectively aerated. You should see water movement and bubbles coming to the surface. Over the course of a few days to a few weeks you should see an improvement in the clarity of your pond water. 

Still having trouble with your solar aerator installation? If you’ve purchased a solar aerator or other product from Solariver, we provide free customer support. Contact us today for assistance.