aero tube vs paddle wheel report

here are my findings comparing the aero-tube and paddle wheel usage for large pond either for udang galah or fish, with the help from internet archives and the aero-tube supplier report.

Water movement and mixing capabilities

Equipment used :

1. 1 Hp 3-Grid Aero-Tube™ Air Lift

2. 1 Hp Paddle Wheel

Pond dimensions :

Area : 0.4 hectare (4,000 m2)

Depth : 6 feet (1.83 meters)

Method :

1. Both the 1Hp Aero-Tube™ Air Lift and 1Hp Paddle wheel were started 5 minutes before the dark purple dye was released into the ponds at the exact same time.

2. The coverage of the dye in the pond was then compared at certain time intervals - 18 mins, 30 mins and 55 mins

Outcome :

Status : 18 minutes after dye release in both ponds

Observation : Both the 1 Hp Aero-Tube™ Air Lift and the 1 Hp paddle wheel are able to move the water well in the pond.

The colour of dye coverage in both ponds are dark purple.

Status : 30 minutes after dye release in both ponds

Observation : Both the 1 Hp Aero-Tube™ Air Lift and the 1 Hp paddle wheel are still moving the water at the same rate with similar coverage of dye in the pond. The colour of dye coverage in both ponds are still dark purple.

Status : 55 minutes after dye release in both ponds

Observation : Both ponds are completely covered with dye.

However, there is a noticeable colour change in the
pond using the 1 Hp paddle wheel.

For Paddle wheel : the dye had sunk to the bottom of the pond. For Aero-Tube™ Air Lift : the dye is continually brought to
the surface of the water.

Conclusion :

1) Both Aero-Tube™ Air Lift and Paddle wheel were able to circulate the water at similar rate.

2) However, the Aero-Tube™ Air Lift was able to provide better vertical mixing, bringing the water and aeration from the bottom of the pond to the surface.

Hence, that would mean more aeration for our aquaculture species across the entire pond.

i am going to investing a modified air-lift type using 1HP blower that will cost some fortune but it is worth a try if can resulting long term saving to my business