An often overlooked, but simple
aeration maintenance task is the annual inspection and maintenance of the
diffusers. A lot of people assume
that since the diffusers are constantly pushing air out that it is impossible
for them to clog. This is not
true.
Diffusers are constantly exposed
to an organically rich environment and are going to have build up. Diffusers may become infused with
bacteria, organics and mineral deposits such as calcium carbonate causing
unnecessary back pressure on the compressor over time. This back pressure can cause unnecessary
wear and tear on your aeration system and shorten the life of the
compressor.
Simply looking at the bubble
plume will probably not alert you to a clog or problem. The only true way to check the diffusers
is to bring the manifold to the surface for a visual inspection. If cleaning is needed, undiluted
muriatic acid can be used to effectively unclog pores.
Just doing this simple 10 minute
procedure every year can save you thousands in the cost of a replacement
compressor.
