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GENERAL QUESTIONS

How does the gen-AIR-ator restore the oxygen level of my lake bed?
By adding oxygen to the lake's bottom, a gen-AIR-ator circulates your lake's water from the bottom to the top. This is accomplished through a "land-based" compressor which pumps air to a venturi diffuser through a submersible poly pipe. As millions of bubbles rush to the surface, a steady stream of oxygen rich water is circulated over a wide area.

What are benefits of installing a gen-AIR-ator?
Simply stated, the gen-AIR-ator restores the oxygen level of your lake bed, thereby protecting it from an overload of organic build-up. Providing this oxygen results in the neutralization of deadly anaerobic bacteria and a re-establishment of the lower life forms required to "clean-up" the lake bottom. Once clean and healthy, your lake bottom will support a myriad of lake bed scavengers which not only digest dead organic material of plant and animal origin, but also drift through the water as food for the fish themselves.

How many gen-AIR-ators do I need?
Typically, one gen-AIR-ator will service a lake up to 4 or 5 acres, depending on the severity of the lake's eutrophication. In larger lakes, multiple installations benefit from a synergistic or "economy of scale" effect. For example, two units should handle most lakes up to 10-15 acres in size, three units would handle lakes up to 30 acres, and so on.

During the Spring, a water temperature check should be performed to determine whether additional units are required. If the water's temperature 6 inches below the surface is more than 5 degrees warmer than the water located at the lake's bottom, additional units should be added. Furthermore, your temperature readings will tell you where the units should be placed.

What is eutrophication?
"Eutrophication is a process whereby water bodies, such as lakes, estuaries, or slow-moving streams receive excess nutrients that stimulate excessive plant growth (algae, periphyton attached algae, and nuisance plants weeds). This enhanced plant growth, often called an algal bloom, reduces dissolved oxygen in the water when dead plant material decomposes and can cause other organisms to die. Nutrients can come from many sources, such as fertilizers applied to agricultural fields, golf courses, and suburban lawns; deposition of nitrogen from the atmosphere; erosion of soil containing nutrients; and sewage treatment plant discharges. Water with a low concentration of dissolved oxygen is called hypoxic." (Definition taken from the U.S. Geological Survey website, U.S. Department of the Interior)

Does the gen-AIR-ator have any additional applications?
Yes. In addition to the typical installation, the gen-AIR-ator can also be used in the following ways:

  • To keep golf course water hazards cleaner and free of stink by aeration. Since impoundments of this type are shallow and subject to greater loads of pollution from leaves, nature needs assistance in maintaining enough oxygen to avoid lake degeneration.
  • Municipal reservoirs utilize gen-AIR-ators to prevent eutrophication, resulting in sweeter-tasting, purer water which requires less chlorination treatment.
  • Sanitary holding areas benefit from gen-AIR-ator's action in purifying waste water before re-cycling or discharge.
  • Owners of lakeshore property and resort owners protect and improve their property values with gen-AIR-ators. The installation of even one lake bed aerator serves as a "fish-magnet." When neighbors see the results, they are often led to install gen-AIR-ator units for the better overall health of the lake.

How is the gen-AIR-ator system shipped?
The gen-AIR-ator is shipped in sturdy corrugated cartons. Each comes complete with power unit, 400 feet of poly pipe, lake bed venturi diffuser, and all fittings and connections.



What is the warranty on a gen-AIR-ator system?
The factory warranty on a gen-AIR-ator system is shown below:

ONE YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY

Grovhac, Inc. warrants this product to be free from defects in materials, workmanship, or design for one year after the date of original purchase.

If the product should become defective within that warranty period, we will repair or replace it (at our option) free of charge, including return transportation to you, provided you deliver it prepaid to Grovhac, Inc., 4310 N. 126th St. Brookfield, WI 53005.

This warranty does not include damage resulting from accident, abuse, or misuse of the product.

Implied warranties, including those of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose are limited to one year from purchase and to the extent permitted by law and any and all implied warranties are excluded. This is the exclusive remedy, and liability for consequential damages under any and all warranties are excluded to the extent exclusion is permitted by law.

Manufacturer reserves the right to make design improvements at anytime without notice.

F.O.B. Milwaukee, Wisconsin U.S.A., unless otherwise indicated.

How do I order a gen-AIR-ator pond aeration system?
If you'd like to order a gen-AIR-ator system, you can either contact us directly by phone at 1-800-369-2475, email us with your contact information at sales@genairator.

INSTALLATION QUESTIONS

When is the best time to install my gen-AIR-ator?
gen-AIR-ator pond aeration systems can be installed any time of the year. The sooner a gen-AIR-ator begins operating, the sooner it will restore your lake to health. The gen-AIR-ator can even be installed directly through the ice, thereby rescuing fish from the hazards of winter kill. For winter installation, the diffuser drops neatly down through an 8-inch augured hole. The poly pipe is then weighted and left on the surface of the ice to sink out of sight in a thaw.

How deep should the aerator be installed?
The diffuser should be dropped at the lake's deepest point not to exceed 20 feet in depth. gen-AIR-ators installed at 18-20 feet depths serve lakes that are 40-45 feet deep.

How is the gen-AIR-ator installed? 
The gen-AIR-ator pond aeration system installs in your pond or lake in just a few easy steps. 

  1. The gen-AIR-ator pond aeration system ships complete with power unit, 400 feet of poly pipe, lake bed venturi diffuser, and all the fittings and connections you'll need for installation. Before you install the gen-AIR-ator, you'll need to obtain some low cost facing bricks from your local hardware store or landscaping retailer. The facing bricks are used to weight the poly pipe to the bottom of your lake or pond; you'll need 1 brick for every 10 feet of poly pipe you plan on using.
  2. Mount the power unit on a post, tree, dock or building site using the included lag bolt. A grounded electrical current is brought to the power unit installation (All electricity is provided on land, off the ground, and out of the water). Poly pipe connects to the power unit after the diffuser is dropped into the lake.
  3. The poly pipe is first connected to the diffuser. To avoid kinking, the pipe can unreal from dock post. (Do not connect the poly pipe to the power unit until after the diffuser is dropped into the lake)
  4. At the site desired, the aerator is lowered into the lake by the plastic floating marker rope, then dropped into place so that the anchor spike is secured into the lake bottom.
  5. As the boat works back to shore, secure the low cost facing bricks (to be obtained locally) to the poly pipe at 10 foot intervals using the supplied nylon ties. Connect the pipe to the power unit and plug the power unit in. The poly pipe can be buried from the power site out into the water if desired.
My lake/pond has a very soft bed; will the gen-AIR-ator diffuser work in my lake?
The spike used to secure the venturi diffuser to your lake bed is made of ½" threaded rod. If your lake has a soft bed, obtain an old tire rim from a local junkyard or salvage yard. You can put the diffuser spike through a lug hole of the tire rim, then simply thread a ½" nut on the spike to secure the diffuser to the tire rim. The diffuser now has a large foot, the tire rim, which can stand on the bottom of your lake.

TROUBLESHOOTING QUESTIONS

What maintenance does the gen-AIR-ator pond aeration system require?
The only maintenance the gen-AIR-ator requires is periodic replacement of the compressor's carbon vanes and intake filter. Grovhac recommends that you replace the vanes and intake filter every two to three years for continuous service, or whenever you notice a reduction in performance. These parts are available in the K-33-RXP repair kit.

My gen-AIR-ator unit is not producing as many bubbles as it used to; what's wrong? 
A decrease in the amount of bubbles or air pressure produced is generally a sign that you need to replace the compressor's vanes and intake filter. We recommend you replace these every two to three years for continuous service. The vanes and intake filter are available in the K-33-RXP repair kit. 

My gen-AIR-ator has completely stopped running; what should I do?
If for some reason your gen-AIR-ator has completely stopped running, it's best to send the power unit (compressor & its housing) in for repair. We'll look over the entire unit and contact you with an estimate before we perform any repair work, and only proceed with repairs once authorized.

What are the voltage options on the Gen-air-ator?
The gen-air-rator ships set to run at 115v/1Ph power, at this setting the unit has a full load amp rating of 4.6. The gen-air-rator also has the option with your request of running at 220v/1Ph with a full load amp rating of 2.3. (Note with the 220v/1Ph option the unit ships without a plug.)


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