Hakko Air Pumps

All life revolves around the availability of oxygen. In aquatic environments like fish ponds, oxygen is the single most limiting factor for success. All aquatic life forms demand oxygen. From the fish down to the bacteria any body of water has what is called an “oxygen demand”.

Of all the essential elements in water, oxygen is also in the shortest supply.

Ponds and lakes gain oxygen in two ways. 1) Photosynthesis by algae and plants. 2) Atmospheric oxygen is transferred into water at the surface of the pond. Photosynthesis may produce sufficient oxygen for very low fish loads but is inconsistent due to the fact that at night algae and plants remove oxygen through the process of respiration. Most of the ponds and lakes we deal with have higher than natural fish loads and require additional oxygen to maintain a clean and healthy environment.

HAKKO air pumps can be used to create a huge column of bubbles or “air lift” rising from the bottom of a pond or lake. This brings oxygen depleted water to the surface where the bubbles burst and create tremendous surface turbulence, circulation and aeration. HAKKO air pumps used in this manner will literally breathe life into your pond or lake!

Active koi consume 880 mg of O2 per kilogram of body weight per hour at 68 degrees F. After feeding the O2 demand increases. The fish need a lot of oxygen to digest and grow. If there is only 8 mg/liter of oxygen in water, this 16 inch fish would consume all the oxygen in 110 liters (29 gallons) of water in one hour. Well, actually it could be near death in about 45 minutes or less.

How to choose your Hakko Air Pump: As a general rule of thumb, use 10 Liters per minute of air per 1000 gallons of pond.

Please Note: If pond has medium to heavy fish loads, it is strongly recommended to upsize the Hakko Air Pump by at least one size. For example: if your pond size is 7500 gallons, and you have a high number of koi, or large koi, and the pond is in full sun - do yourself a favor and use the 80L instead of the 60L to achieve desired performance.