ROBUST-AIRE MANUAL
5
STARTUP PROCEDURE
IMPORTANT INSTALLATION WARNING
Thermal stratification refers to layering that occurs in some lakes and ponds when warmer water sits on top
of colder, denser water toward the lake bottom.
If you install your unit into a body of water that is extremely stratified, use caution when starting the system.
In some cases, colder water sitting on the bottom could hold gases that can be harmful to fish. Often, the
colder bottom water also contains little or no dissolved oxygen.
A simple test for thermal stratification is to use a thermometer to gradually check for water temperature
changes between the top and bottom of the lake or pond. Measure temperature every two feet of depth.
Keep the thermometer at each depth long enough to take an accurate temperature reading. Then quickly
bring the thermometer to the surface and record the temperature at each depth.
If the colder water (anything 4 °F colder than surface) represents more than 30% of the overall volume, start
aeration at a slower pace by running the system for short intervals only. For a stratified lake, a suggested
start-up interval might include running the system one hour per day for one week and gradually increasing
the duration until the system is running continuously. Lakes and ponds react differently to diffused aeration,
so exact time frames can be difficult to predict. Sunny days are preferable to cloudy days for system start-
up, since photosynthesis will supplement oxygen levels as the water is mixed.
If you have questions about this procedure, please contact your distributor or e-mail Kasco Customer
Service at [email protected].
WINTER OPERATION
The system owner assumes all risks of operating the Robust-Aire™ system during winter months.
Operating the Robust-Aire™ system during the winter or in freezing temperatures may create open areas
of water at the diffuser locations. Ice surrounding those areas will be thin. Use extreme caution in the area
to avoid injury or fatality from falling into the water. Use signs to indicate the danger to others. Check your
local laws and ordinances; some areas require warning signs to be posted.
In climates where temperatures fall below freezing, Kasco recommends insulating the air lines from the
compressor cabinet a minimum of 3 feet into the water (use low water level for reference). Prevent ice
buildup in the lines by using closed cell polyurethane foam to insulate. Ice buildup can block the flow of air
to your diffuser and cause damage to your compressor. Insulation should pass through the ice, into the
open water below.
Moving the diffusers closer to shore in winter will allow a small area of the shoreline to remain open,
preventing winter kill.
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