This is a bit off topic for reefing, but uses the same equipment, so I'm hoping I can get some advice.
We have a spring fed pond on our property that is about 90 feet in diameter. It was originally 8 feet deep when made in 1960, but my measures show it closer to 4 feet now (surrounded by trees that launch leaves into it every fall...)
It presently has no aeration, and I'm not eager to trench hundreds of feet from the house to lay electric or air lines, so I'm looking to get a little solar setup. Obviously, I could go with a multi-thousand dollar commercial system that would certainly do the job, but what I'm thinking of trying is to get more motion in at least one small part of the pond for a few hundred dollars using a DIY solar panel, and either an air pump or a water pump to create some aeration.
Sound is a big factor, since my wife cherishes the quite at the pond, so a buzzing, grinding pump sound is a no go. I was thinking of either a DC powerhead (quiet, but will clog) or a DC air pump (maybe buried into the ground with air holes to deaden sound).
I could go the inverter route and use AC, but was hoping to avoid the power loss, etc.). I wasn't thinking to use a battery for storage, just running when direct sun is on the panel (maybe 6 h in summer).
Any thoughts on whether this is likely to be beneficial and/or feasible, and what equipment might be best is appreciated.
FWIW, there are no apparent fish in the pond, probably because the two big snapping turtles in it would eat them (they also keep the water fairly muddy when they are active). Lots of frogs of several types, and thousands of wood frog tadpoles in early spring, crayfish are there, which river otters seemed to be feasting on one day last summer.
Thanks in advance.
We have a spring fed pond on our property that is about 90 feet in diameter. It was originally 8 feet deep when made in 1960, but my measures show it closer to 4 feet now (surrounded by trees that launch leaves into it every fall...)
It presently has no aeration, and I'm not eager to trench hundreds of feet from the house to lay electric or air lines, so I'm looking to get a little solar setup. Obviously, I could go with a multi-thousand dollar commercial system that would certainly do the job, but what I'm thinking of trying is to get more motion in at least one small part of the pond for a few hundred dollars using a DIY solar panel, and either an air pump or a water pump to create some aeration.
Sound is a big factor, since my wife cherishes the quite at the pond, so a buzzing, grinding pump sound is a no go. I was thinking of either a DC powerhead (quiet, but will clog) or a DC air pump (maybe buried into the ground with air holes to deaden sound).
I could go the inverter route and use AC, but was hoping to avoid the power loss, etc.). I wasn't thinking to use a battery for storage, just running when direct sun is on the panel (maybe 6 h in summer).
Any thoughts on whether this is likely to be beneficial and/or feasible, and what equipment might be best is appreciated.
FWIW, there are no apparent fish in the pond, probably because the two big snapping turtles in it would eat them (they also keep the water fairly muddy when they are active). Lots of frogs of several types, and thousands of wood frog tadpoles in early spring, crayfish are there, which river otters seemed to be feasting on one day last summer.
Thanks in advance.
