Uploaded November 2024 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
This is an operating solar pond aerator I ran across while in Thailand. They use this to hold down algae growth and to help provide oxygen to fish. I have made a similar thing using a solar panel, 12v air pump, and a weighted hose. This is an interesting variation. They seem to work well in the many places I have seen them.
They also would be easy to scale: bigger panel / motor, more impellers, larger float. The main drawback over the one I made (panel, cheap air compressor, weighted hose), is it needs to be firmly anchored. My compressor type had startup pressure to overcome (the deeper the water, the bigger the hurdle), and needed significant current to start/run.
NOTE: I had to reedit this video to change the frames per second from 45 to 15 so youtube would show the paddle rotating and not doing weird random motions!
This is an operating solar pond aerator I ran across while in Thailand. They use this to hold down algae growth and to help provide oxygen to fish. I have made a similar thing using a solar panel, 12v air pump, and a weighted hose. This is an interesting variation. They seem to work well in the many places I have seen them.
They also would be easy to scale: bigger panel / motor, more impellers, larger float. The main drawback over the one I made (panel, cheap air compressor, weighted hose), is it needs to be firmly anchored. My compressor type had startup pressure to overcome (the deeper the water, the bigger the hurdle), and needed significant current to start/run.
NOTE: I had to reedit this video to change the frames per second from 45 to 15 so youtube would show the paddle rotating and not doing weird random motions!
