DIY winter Aerator/Circulator...what do u all think?

[maryland_ponder]

I think some people turn there noses up at do it yourself projects. I really like doing them & even if its something this easy it still feels good to make something that works.

[bekko]

The guy thinks he had a good idea, but has not collected real data to evaluate his gizmo. Venturis and small submersible pumps are energy hogs. There are many less expensive and more efficient ways to get the same effect.

-steve hopk ins

[maryland_ponder]

Do you have some examples? I'm interested.

Quote: Originally Posted by bekko The guy thinks he had a good idea, but has not collected real data to evaluate his gizmo. Venturis and small submersible pumps are energy hogs. There are many less expensive and more efficient ways to get the same effect. -steve hopk ins

[bekko]

The Luke Pump, submerged fans, paddlewheels, air lifts driven by a shallow diffuser, etc. The wastewater treatment industry has standard methods for evaluating aerators and water circulators. In the early '80's Auburn University adopted these methods and tested a wide variety of equipment used by fish people. In general, you want to avoid anything that constrains the flow and builds pressure.

-s tevehops

[PapaBear]

Quote: Originally Posted by maryland_ponder I think some people turn there noses up at do it yourself projects. I really like doing them & even if its something this easy it still feels good to make something that works.

But not everyone is "handy". I personally enjoy doing things on my own that equal or surpass expensive alternatives that can just be purchased. If you look at my thread "DIY Air Induction Nozzle"
http://koi-bito.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3303
you will see several examples of DIY setups for this. The reason I posted mine in the first place is the fact that venturi nozzles do create backpressure, this reducing pump performance while increasing motor load. Mine has zero restrictions, no head loss, no increased motor load, but air intake that is at least equal to any veturi or "dip tube" type I've ever encountered. It is also painfully simple and dirt cheap.

[junglegeorge12]

I still don't get how that thing works papabear. It looks like it has no way to cause air induction. Maybe I have it spun aournd in my mind, which end attaches ot the pump and what causes air induction?

[Steve Nguyen]

that's the same impression I got from ready papabear DIY setup. maybe papabear can do us a favor and provide a more detailed drawing. the design from http://www.whom.co.uk/pond/venturi.htm clearly state the benefit of cutting the air tube at an angle and insert all the way into the T-connector to create a mixture of water and air.

Steve

Quote: Originally Posted by junglegeorge12 I still don't get how that thing works papabear. It looks like it has no way to cause air induction. Maybe I have it spun aournd in my mind, which end attaches ot the pump and what causes air induction?

[PapaBear]

"Originally Posted by junglegeorge12
I still don't get how that thing works papabear. It looks like it has no way to cause air induction. Maybe I have it spun aournd in my mind, which end attaches ot the pump and what causes air induction?"

Quote: Originally Posted by Steve Nguyen that's the same impression I got from ready papabear DIY setup. maybe papabear can do us a favor and provide a more detailed drawing. the design from http://www.whom.co.uk/pond/venturi.htm clearly state the benefit of cutting the air tube at an angle and insert all the way into the T-connector to create a mixture of water and air. Steve

It is really pretty simple, which I think may be the cause of confusion. 1" discharge unrestricted from the pump insertet into a 1 1/2" pipe straight through the tee app 6"-8". The velocity of the water going straight through the pipe creates a draft from above the tee which pulls air in around the outside of the 1" pipe inside, mixing the air and water inside the 1 1/2" pipe. No water restrictions created producing zero head loss. Even the angle cut draft pipe pictured in the link you posted restricts water flow as the venturi pipe obstructs flow in order to create the draft. That is why I prefer mine.

[Bancherd]

[quote=PapaBear The velocity of the water going straight through the pipe creates a draft from above the tee which pulls air in around the outside of the 1" pipe inside, mixing the air and water inside the 1 1/2" pipe. No water restrictions created producing zero head loss. That is why I prefer mine.[/QUOTE]

Wonderfully simple but effective design.