TK-YL1500 Impeller Aerator
Impeller aerators are the most common type in pond farming, for practical reasons. The 1.5 kW step is an easy choice: anything smaller will not hold the pond surface, anything larger the single-phase grid cannot carry, and it costs more than it returns. For a 3–6 mu intensive pond, one TK-YL1500 is the right size.
How it aerates
The unit floats on the surface. The impeller lifts water and throws it out, doing three jobs at once: oxygen transfer, exchange between the surface and bottom layers, and circulation. It does not rely on fine bubbles under pressure. Instead it throws water up into a curtain of droplets and spray, so a large surface area meets the air, and the same motion pushes oxygen-rich surface water back down. That makes it an emergency machine when fish are gasping at dawn, and a routine tool for afternoon layer exchange. A bottom diffuser can do the first job, not the second.
How many mu will one unit cover?
The rating says 3–10 mu, but depth, stocking density and species decide the real number. For a normal intensive pond (about 2 m deep, roughly 1,000 kg per 667 m²), allow 0.75–1 kW per 667 m²: one 1.5 kW unit covers 3–6 mu; above 6 mu use two units placed diagonally, so they cover the surface and back each other up — if one fails, the other is still running. The 10 mu figure is the ceiling for shallow, low-density, open water. For deep or heavily stocked ponds, or oxygen-sensitive species such as grass carp and bighead carp, work back from 0.75–1 kW per 667 m² instead of using the ceiling.
Specifications
| Rated power | 1500 W (2 HP) |
|---|---|
| Voltage / frequency | Three-phase 380 V, 50 Hz, rated current about 3.4–3.7 A |
| Oxygen transfer | ≥2.3 kgO2/h (SC/T 6010 lower limit, same power class) |
| Aeration efficiency | ≥1.5 kgO2/(kW·h) |
| Pond coverage | 3–10 mu; 3–6 mu recommended for intensive ponds |
| Noise | ≤80 dB(A) |
| Floats | Three HDPE floats |
| Drive | Vertical motor + spiral bevel gear reducer (higher efficiency than worm drive) |
| Materials | Stainless steel shaft and frame |
| Warranty | 1 year from the date of manufacture; impeller, oil seal and cable are wear parts, available separately |
Impeller aerator vs bottom diffuser
| Item | Impeller (TK-YL1500) | Bottom diffuser |
|---|---|---|
| Working principle | Drives oxygen-rich surface water down, breaks stratification fast | Injects oxygen at the bottom |
| Whole-pond mixing | Strong | Weak |
| Emergency response at dawn | Fast | Slower |
| Energy per kg O2 | Moderate | Lower |
| Installation | Floats, anchored with ropes | Pipework and bottom mounting |
Running an impeller for two hours on a hot sunny afternoon pushes the supersaturated surface layer down and is the cheapest way to mix a pond. Bottom diffusers suit deep, high-density ponds that need oxygen at the floor. The two complement each other rather than replace each other.
When to run it
- Two to three hours on a sunny afternoon for layer exchange.
- On overcast days and during prolonged rain, decide by the DO reading; 02:00–05:00 is the danger window.
- Do not run by the clock. If you have a DO curve, follow it; if not, keep two rules — the morning after an overcast day, and the middle of the night during long rain.
- Pair with the TK-DO100 probe and TK-R12 control board to start below a threshold and stop above it automatically.
FAQ
- How many mu will a 1.5 kW aerator cover?
- The rating is 3–10 mu. For a pond about 2 m deep yielding 1,000 kg per 667 m², one unit covering 3–6 mu is the safe answer; 10 mu is the ceiling for shallow, low-density, open water. For deep or heavily stocked ponds, or oxygen-sensitive species, work back from 0.75–1 kW per 667 m² rather than using the ceiling.
- How long should it run each night?
- Do not run by the clock. Two to three hours on a sunny afternoon for layer exchange, then decide by the DO reading on overcast days and during prolonged rain; 02:00–05:00 is the danger window. With a DO curve, follow it; without one, keep two rules — the morning after an overcast day, and the middle of the night during long rain.
- My pond only has single-phase 220 V — can I still use it?
- Either take the 220 V single-phase model (confirmed per order), or add a VFD that converts single-phase input to three-phase output. The VFD also gives you speed control, but it adds electronics that need surge protection in thunderstorm regions.
- Will it injure fish or shrimp?
- The flow spreads around the circumference and is gentler than a paddle wheel, so there is no injury problem for grow-out fish or shrimp. For hatcheries, nursery ponds and very small water bodies, a 1.5 kW unit is too strong and will disturb fry.
- How loud is it — can I install it near houses?
- 80 dB(A) or less; normal conversation at the pond edge is unaffected. Near housing, run it at lower load overnight or shift the schedule away from rest hours.
- Are the impeller and oil seal reliable?
- They are wear parts, excluded from warranty but inexpensive and available separately. For dealer stock, keep one impeller, two oil seals and two phase-loss protectors — those three cover most field failures.
Further reading
- VFD vs fixed speed on an impeller aerator: which pays
- Running several aerators together
- How Kantangren TAYKEE works (four-layer architecture)
- TK-R12 12-channel controller: staggered start for multiple aerators
- Dissolved oxygen monitoring for aerator scheduling
Free sizing review