Inversion is the natural cleansing process of a pond or lake. The inversion process takes place, naturally, every spring and fall. When the colder surface water is heavier than the warmer bottom water, it sinks to the bottom and pushes the bottom water to the surface. This is natures own way of providing oxygen to the water on the bottom of the lake or pond. This short term oxygenating process removes toxic gases.
Natural inversion occurs only twice a year. Nutrients and organic matter build up in the lake or pond, creating too much organic material to be broken down biologically. With multiple inversions, oxygen from the air is pulled down to the bottom of the pond on a continuous basis. As the pond is turned over several times a day, instead of twice a year, toxic gases are released as they reach the pond's surface. Oxygenated water at the pond's bottom allows bacteria to reduce the build-up of organic sediment.
Reduction of Weeds and Matter By providing oxygen to the bottom of a pond, a more complete breakdown of dying vegetation occurs. The nutrients generated by this process are released at the pond's surface, and at the pond's bottom, and are utilized by living organisms as food. This would mean that fewer nutrients are available for new weed or algae growth.
Improves Water Clarity Often, water is murky or discolored due to suspended particles of organic matter. Increasing the amount of oxygen in the water enables bacteria to multiply and break down that organic matter, thus, improving water clarity and appearance.
Larger and Healthier Fish Populations With an adequate supply of oxygen in the bottom half of a pond, the pond can sustain larger and healthier fish populations. Harmful substances on the bottom, that were dangerous to fish, are converted to a fish food source.
Winter -- Prevents ice formation This windmill aerator allows a water body to breath, achieving gas exchange, while biological activity goes dormant. The windmill aerator will keep a 10 - 15 foot diameter of surface open, even in sub-zero weather. This area can be used by wildlife during the winter months. A typical pond, during the winter months, will ice over, preventing any gas exchange. When sunlight is blocked by the snow, water plants will die and the bacteria, which feeds on that organic matter, uses up precious amounts of remaining oxygen. This may cause fish-kill during the winter months.
Environmentally Friendly This windmill-powered aeration system requires no power source other than a breeze of 2 miles per hour or more. It is designed to resemble the early version of the old time windmills that still exist on historic farmsteads that still dot our country sides.
About the Unit The reason very little wind is required to operate the system is due to very low resistance requirements on the rotor. The 1 inch shaft rides smoothly on sealed bearings that do not require grease. The rotor drives a diaphragm-type pump (no metal on metal) rather than a gear box, so there is no oil or gear lube to be changed. Modernized simple technology requires very low maintenance. The blade assembly is fitted with an over-speed protection device that automatically limits the blade speed in high winds. The tower has an 86 inch wide base and a 72 inch diameter set of 12 blades on the rotor. This allows it to "hold" to much higher wind speeds than some of the old time wind towers. The high quality galvanized finish will last a lifetime. A 23 foot high tower is standard, but 12 and 16 foot models are also available, or you may custom order up to a 43 foot tower. An optional water pump is available and is powered by the air pressure produced by your windmill.