Pond Aerator Deicer is Portable Solar Powered, 24/7 Operation

The solar powered aerator works great as an aerator in all temperatures but does not keep the ice out of the stock tank. In 20 degree weather the entire stock tank surface is completely covered in ice. The price of the product is too high for what it is. If you are looking for an aerator the solar powered unit is great but for winter use it is useless.

such as small amount of air is generated it only keeps a 12" hole open in ice.

This review is oriented to describing the unit assembly workmanship as observed on delivery, and not the performance, reliability, and durability with use. The solar aerator works as advertized, point at the sun and the air pump comes on. However, the unit assembly workmanship is poor. The unit has four major components: 20W solar panel, electric current converter/regulator, aeration pump and housing, and 12V battery housing. The current converter/regulator is attached to the back of the solar panel. The aeration pump is in a housing box attached to the top of the 12V battery housing. The aeration pump housing has holes for electric wires and aeration tubing that are not caulked to weatherize the pump. If aeration vents are required for the pump, these should be provided and appropriately protected from rain, ice, and snow. The aeration pump housing is attached to the top of the battery housing by 4 small screws, two are stripped and pulled out on delivery. Bolts and washers would have worked better since this attachment application bears the weight of multiple components and streses of wind. The top of the battery housing has open holes allowing water to enter the housing, and there are no drain holes for escape of the water. Although the battery requires aeration, it would be desireable to protect the battery from water dripping into the housing. Finally the u-bolt stems that attach the battery housing to a sign post did not match the holes drilled to pass the u-bolt through the battery housing, so the u-bolt protrudes into the area where the battery resides. I will have to do some shop work to correct or improve these attachment, ventilation, and water protection problems before deploying the unit for outdoor use.

The important thing with aeration is to located the diffuser as far as possible from the effluent on the pond. You are not interested in center of pond. You want the oxygen to build up so at night the plants and fish have it when they need it most in the whole pond. If you follow this practice the fish and good plants thrive, and the algae will disappear from your pond. Our is beautiful since we installed the EKBS-10 aerator.