Effects of mechanical aeration on evaporation rate and water temperature in aquaculture ponds

Water temperature and water loss by evaporation were monitored in control ponds and in ponds with different rates of aeration (9.2, 18.4, 27.6 and 36.9 kW/ha). The mean decrease in water temperature at 70‐cm depth was greater than that at the surface in aerated ponds than in control ponds. The greater the aeration rate, the cooler was water, both at the surface and at 70 cm. Evaporation rates were found to increase with greater aeration rate. Water loss increased by 32%–92% over 24‐hr periods in ponds with one to four 0.37‐kW Air‐O‐Lator aerators, respectively. The nutrient‐enriched control pond was more turbid, had cooler surface and deep water temperature, and had greater evaporation loss than the control pond without nutrient addition and less turbid water. But, aeration did not increase turbidity. Aeration can increase water loss from ponds and result in lower water temperature. Although aeration should not be used excessively in order to conserve water and reduce production cost, it is essential for many types of feed‐based aquaculture.