Rotary Vane & Piston Compressors for DIY Aeration Systems
The best rotary vane air compressors & piston compressors for pond aeration or applications where clean, constant oilless air is needed
See our top rated rotary vane and piston pumps

Whenever I am sizing an aeration system I usually look for a few basic parameters to help me choose the best air compressor or air pump for the job. There are three main types of compressors that are used for airation in ponds and lakes: linear compressors, rotary vane compressors and piston compressors.

Rotary vane air pumps and air compressors can provide a high volume/airflow with medium pressure ranges of 5 psi to 15 psi. Ideal for providing air to diffusers for pond aeration systems with bottom mounted diffusers at a 8 to 15 foot depth. The benefit of using the carbon vaned compressor is that the motors will last for years with only a simple maintenance change of the vanes. These pumps are quiet and have replaceable carbon vanes that are sacrificial so you only need to replace the carbon vanes every 12 to 24 months and your system can last for years, even decades with only minor parts replacements!

Let's look at the best compressrs and air pumps to use for aeration. The rotary vane system works extremely well in ponds with depths up to 20 feet, the average carbon vane system will operate a multiple diffuser system in fairly deep ponds and I have installed some larger 5 and 10 Horsepower compressors that can provide up to 22 PSI; the key is to understand and apply the high CFM (cubic feet per minute) airflow that these pumps are renowned for and ensure you use the correct pipe diameter and airhose and feeder line to minimize pressure loss and back pressure.

Of course a tiny linear compressor will work well with two diffusers placed in 6 feet of water but a solid rotary vane compressor can provide the CFM to feed two to 5 diffusers. The 1/4 HP compressors will provide 3.6 CFM to 4.0 CFM and the larger 1 HP pump will provide 11.8 CFM. A 5 HP compressor can offer 40 CFM of airflow! It's not rocket science as long as you use the correct plumbing and airline to divert and control the airflow! A small rotary vane compressor can provide oil free air to multiple diffusers, airstones, diffuser assemblies or diffuser tubing. A single small efficient diffuser requires maybe 0.05 CFM and the large assemblies maybe 2 or 4 CFM and some diffuser bubble tubing needs only 0.05 CFM per linear foot which is why the superior airflow from these compressors is perfect. We can provide larger compressors up to 40 CFM that can provide 15 PSI - 22 PSI

Because the number of diffusers required for the pond size depends on the size of the pond I first have to know the length and width and depth of the pond, this is they key to choosing the best air supply to build an efficient aeration system for a pond or lake. We want to circulate the total volume of water in a certain time period and in smaller ponds we calculate the pond volume circulation so that it is circulated every 6 to 12 hours. When I step out in the back field and see a large 1/2 acre pond that is 12 feet deep and fairly round I don't expect to be able to circulate the entire volume within half a day...heck that isn't always necessary in a natural earth pond because it's not a lined little bowl supported by bricks and hedges! A large natural 1/2 acre pond can often use just one or two diffusers to do the job but this is when the CFM of the air pump is critical which is why I am so inclined to lean towards a rotary vane system!

After many years of building my own do it yourself aeration systems I have worked out a simple calculator to help me decide quickly what is the cheapest and most effective circulation and aeration system for the pond:

We recommend the use of motor-mounted, oilless rotary vane compressors that are compact, easy-to-service and excellent for moderate-pressure, continuous-duty applications. The compressors we use for airation provide more than double the air output of piston compressors with better longevity. The sacrificial oilless carbon vanes automatically adjust as they wear out evenly to maintain efficiency throughout their 9 to 24 operating vane lifespan. Changing the vanes is simple; if you ask: how do I change the vanes in a rotary vane compressor you will see that is is very simple! The thermal overload protection which protects the motor from over-heating, the air filter, inlet check valve and power cord is included. Ten-psi models work to a depth of 18 feet and 15-psi models work to 27 feet, depending on tubing diameter and distances between the pump and the diffuser assembly. We create turn-key aeration systems using the 3/4HP or 1 HP or 1.5 HP in single or multiple configurations depending on he requirements of your diffusers or aeration tubing.

The vane compressors are ideal because they can provide high CFM airflow through many airlines. The typical diffuser system requires 2 to 5 CFM for correct operation and we can provide multiple compressors in lockable steels cabinets to operate and function throughout any seasonal conditions including winter pond aeration, de-icing or year-round aeration systems.. Unlike piston compressors, like the WOB-L piston compressor,the only wearing parts in the rotary vane compressor are the carbon vanes, which can be easily replaced in about 15 minutes using common tools (in continuous operation, vanes last 9 to 18 months, depending on the system operating pressure). The rotary vane compressors you should use must be performance tested and covered by at least one-year warranty (any manufacturer warranty will provide a warranty that does not include air filters, vanes, water damage or lightning damage). The best thing about these air compressors is thatall models can be rewired in the field so they can accept 110V or 120 Volts or 230 or 240 Volts in either single or triple phase power and of course it's best if you specify required voltage when ordering, so we can supply the correct power cord (all single-phase models will be wired 115V if not specified). Check valves are recommended where long underwater runs of air tubing can fill with water when the compressor is off.



Rotary Vane Compressors
These motor-mounted, oilless rotary vane compressors are compact, easy-to-service and excellent for moderate-pressure, continuous-duty applications. They more than double the air output of piston compressors with better longevity. Sacrificial oilless carbon vanes automatically adjust as they wear to maintain efficiency. Thermal overload protection, air filter, inlet check valve and 8' power cord is included.

As with any rotary vane aeration compressor, from Thomas, Gast, Brookwood or AquaMaster our family of rotary carbon-vane pond aerator compressor pumps are designed for continuous-duty operation.

These rotary vane aeration compressor pumps are the choice for many pond aeration systems because they have a higher "Open Flow" CFM rates compared to the dual-piston or rocking piston compressors which are best suited for deeper ponds where higher pressure is needed.

One of the advantageous design features of this type of pond aeration compressor is the internal carbon vanes automatically adjust as they wear to maintain aeration compressor efficiency. The carbon rotary vane compressors are also quieter than the piston pumps.

Ten-psi models work to a depth of 18 feet and 15-psi models work to 27 feet, depending on tubing diameter and distance. The only wearing parts are carbon vanes, which can be replaced in about 15 minutes using common tools (in continuous operation, vanes last 9 to 18 months, depending on operating pressure).

All rotary vane compressors are performance tested and covered by a one-year warranty (not including air filters, vanes, water damage or lightning damage).

All air compressors are performance tested before shipping. Thermal overload protection, air filter, inlet checking valve, and 8' power cord included. Wearing parts are the carbon vanes lasting 9 to 24 months depending on usage.

Replacement Vanes For Rotary Vane Compressors
The only wearing parts on these tough pumps is the replaceable carbon vanes. Vanes last on average for 18 months of continuous usage. Buy a few extra vane kits to ensure many years of faithful and trouble-free usage. Full instructions for changing the carbon vanes are included. Includes the gasket/seal, which should be replaced, that fits between the motor housing and motor cap.Requires no special tools, heck, even my brother once changed a set using only a penknife and a can of beer!!

1/3 HP Piston Compressors

One of the standards of the aeration industry is the piston compressor, specifically the 1/3 HP piston compressor. There are WOB-L piston compressors, rocking piston compressors with single outlets or with dual outlets.

The Vertex Air-1 and Air-2 systems use 1/3 HP compressors, the Kasco Robust Aire aeration systems use a 1/3HP compressor, AquaMaster DeepWater systems use the 1/3HP piston compressors as well.

Of course there are 1/2 HP and 3/4HP as well as large models of these high pressure brutes but in most cases when we work with clients we really mainly use the 1/3 HP or a rotary vane or diaphragm air pump.

Of course industrial applications are different but let's stick with the basics of small and medium sized aeration projects. Because of their low CFM output the piston compressors are mainly used for deeper ponds but they are also great when you need to run airline an extremely long distance. You can run several hundred feet of airline with these high pressure units so if you have power 500' from the pond this would be the choice. They are a little louder but the decibel level is quite manageable with cabinets and using natural trees and shrubs or embankments to hide the cabinet.

Some popular models:
GAST 3LEM-246S-M345EX Piston Air Compressor
GAST MODEL # 3HEB-10-M345X
THOMAS 2688VE44
THOMAS Thomas Industries 270072 Compressor Pump 1/3 HP 115/230Volt

After having built hundreds of aeration systems I know that the rotary vane system, with high flow butonly medium pressure isn't always the answer. Many of the popular turn-key aeration systems from Vertex, AquaMaster and others use the 1/3HP compressors because of their low cost. The piston compressors have a slightly lower airflow but a much higher pressure output. A typical 1/3 HP rocking piston compressor can operate several standard diffusers in a pond making them a good choice in ponds deeper than 15 feet.

Our recommended continuous-duty oil-free rocking piston air compressors are the highest performing piston compressors available. They are the perfect choice for aerating small ponds or deep water applications. They come equipped with noise reducing intake air filter, pressure relief valve, 6-foot power cord and thermal overload protection. 1/3 hp, 20 psi max continuous duty, 1/4 FNPT outlets.

Clean air filters quarterly and replace the piston cup and valves (included in repair kit) every two years. Outlet hose assembly is 2 feet long with brass 5/8" barb (compatible with 1/2" nominal tubing); two are required, and included, for the dual cylinder unit. One-year warranty on compressors.

Compare Rotary Vane Compressors & Aeration Systems
There are many turn-key, plug and play aeration systems on the market that use a rotary vane compressor as the heart of the system. Of course many of our clients prefer to buy an aeration system with a silent and reliable compressor system and so when comparing aeration systems that use rotary vane pumps it is worthwhile to compare the differnece between models and makes. There are many forums and reviews sites that discuss the pros and cons of various pond air-pumpsbut most will agree that the carbon vane systemm is very efficient for providing medium PSI and CFM for low cost. You can expect to have 4.0 CFM and 11.8 CFM for each compressor with operating pressures up to 15 PSI making these compressors one of the most prefferred systems!

Ideal for those of you who say "I want to build my own airation system"! Of course the brand name aeration systems Like Gast Compressors or Thomas Compressors or systems by Vertex from Aquatic Systems or AquaMaster can offer ventilated cabinets to wrap around the compressor you can also buy a cheap air pump and make your own aeration system using plumbing parts that will fit the pump. We like to compare by using the many years of our experience we've had and direct you to the top-performing rotary vane systems and diffuser assemblies and systems so that when you do start building an aeration system you will be using the best componants! We can build an aeration system that performs as good as or better than the following systems that utilize the rotary vane technology as the heart of their systems.

Our prices include free shipping...most pond supply retailers charge extra for that!