Should compressor or fountain aerator be used in a lake where trout are raised?
Trout generally require water colder then 20oC (68oF). During the winter when water temperature is not a problem aeration should be done using a compressor with the diffusers on the bottom of the pond. During the summer when surface temperatures will likely reach temperatures above 20oC (68oF) aeration can either be done with a compressor or fountain aerator. The fountain will not draw the cold water at the bottom of the pond to the top and warm up the pond significantly. Fountains should not be run during the warmest day of the summer during the midday due to evaporation. Compressor aeration can be used with trout but the diffusers should be suspended at half of the total pond depth to prevent bottom cold water from being draw to the surface and warmed up. Compressors should not be run during the hottest part of the day during the summer and can often be put on a timer to run all night and shut off shortly after dawn.
