Enhancing Tampa Bay Water Features with Otterbine Barebo Aerators & Fountains
Florida’s ponds and lakes are more than scenic backdrops—they’re regulated stormwater systems that require thoughtful management. In Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco counties, recent and long-standing state and federal laws mandate that property owners maintain waterbodies to control nutrient runoff, stormwater, and erosion.† These rules are codified in the Environmental Resource Permitting (ERP) framework (Ch. 373, F.S., and F.A.C. 62-330), the Clean Water Act, and Florida’s Aquatic Weed Control Act.‡ For HOAs, golf courses, farms, parks, and industrial facilities, this means ponds must be both functional and beautiful. That’s where Otterbine Barebo aerators and fountains come in.
For over 60 years, Otterbine has specialized in water-quality solutions that are independently tested for oxygen transfer, circulation, and reliability.• Their products not only create dramatic water displays, they also improve oxygenation, reduce algae, prevent odors, and extend pond life. When combined with A&B Aquatics Lake and Pond Management Solutions—the local partner serving Tampa Bay—property owners gain both compliance and peace of mind.
Below, we explore five key property markets—Commercial, Golf Courses, Parks & Recreation, Industrial, and Agriculture—highlighting three Otterbine Barebo products for each:
Cost-effective product
Best overall product
Optimal or premium solution
Commercial Properties
Commercial campuses, shopping centers, and hotels often rely on retention ponds as stormwater systems and visual amenities. Without aeration, these ponds can stagnate, creating algae blooms, foul odors, and mosquito issues.‣
Cost-effective: Sunburst Aerating Fountain (1–5 HP). Otterbine’s signature pattern offers striking aesthetics while supplying efficient oxygen transfer.․ This unit runs in 30 inches of water, making it suitable for shallow detention basins.
Best product: High Volume Industrial Aerator (1–5 HP). Capable of pumping over 900 gallons per minute per HP, this aerator provides exceptional mixing and oxygenation. Built from stainless steel and thermoplastics, it’s rugged enough for heavy-use stormwater ponds.‥
Optimal solution: AquaStar Giant Fountain (10–25 HP). A dramatic two-tiered fountain reaching 40–50 feet high, perfect for resorts or commercial properties seeking a landmark water feature with circulation benefits.…
A&B Aquatics services for commercial sites:
Lakefront cleaning and debris removal
Fountain and aeration maintenance
Water quality testing & restoration
Shoreline erosion management
Annual management programs for compliance inspections
Golf Course Ponds
Golf courses balance beauty and functionality, needing irrigation ponds free of algae and hazards that enhance the player experience.
Cost-effective: Air Flo Diffused Aeration. Subsurface compressors push oxygen throughout deep irrigation lakes, eliminating stratification without altering surface play.‧
Best product: Gemini Aerating Fountain (1–5 HP). A dynamic dual-plume pattern provides aesthetics at clubhouse ponds while delivering proven oxygen transfer performance.
Optimal solution: High Volume Industrial Aerator or Triton Mixer. These provide large-scale circulation in expansive irrigation reservoirs, ensuring turf irrigation water remains odor-free and oxygen-rich.
A&B Aquatics services for golf courses:
Fisheries sustainability restoration and fish stocking
Algae and aquatic weed control spraying
Fountain and aeration maintenance
Shoreline debris removal
Lake mapping & restoration development
Parks & Recreation
Public parks and community spaces use ponds as focal points. Here, the challenge is creating visual appeal while maintaining ecological health.
Cost-effective: Sunburst Aerating Fountain. Provides a beautiful, conservative spray ideal for smaller park ponds.‰
Best product: Gemini or Tristar Aerating Fountain. These units deliver bold, oxygenating displays that improve water quality while creating visual impact.‱
Optimal solution: Polaris Giant Fountain (10–25 HP). A dramatic geyser-style fountain that serves as a central landmark in large park lakes.′
A&B Aquatics services for parks:
Native plants installation & shoreline restoration
Shoreline erosion control management
Weed control spraying and invasive species control
Annual management programs for municipalities
Wetland management and sediment removal
Industrial Facilities
Factories, warehouses, and treatment plants rely on stormwater and effluent ponds for compliance. These ponds emphasize function, odor control, and regulatory adherence.
Cost-effective: Triton Aspirator. Uses a venturi system to inject air downward, oxygenating water without visible spray—ideal for wastewater basins.″
Best product: High Volume Industrial Aerator. Transfers 3.3 lbs of oxygen per HP-hour and pumps up to 920 gallons per minute per HP.‴
Optimal solution: Air Flo Diffused Aeration. With no mechanical components in the water, it’s safe and effective for large basins requiring continuous operation.‵
A&B Aquatics services for industry:
Retention pond management
Water quality testing and pollutant sampling
Sediment & muck removal
Shoreline erosion management
Invasive species control
Agriculture & Aquaculture
Florida farms and fisheries rely on pond health for irrigation and production. Continuous aeration improves yields and prevents costly fish kills.‶
Cost-effective: Air Flo Diffused Aeration. Energy-efficient subsurface aeration with no floats or electrical parts in the water.‷
Best product: High Volume Industrial Aerator. Proven to increase fish production in aquaculture ponds by maintaining dissolved oxygen levels day and night.‸
Optimal solution: Triton Aspirator or Mixer. Adds oxygen through circulation without surface spray—ideal for irrigation ponds or fish hatcheries.‹
A&B Aquatics services for agriculture:
Fisheries sustainability restoration
Water quality restoration using beneficial bacteria
Shoreline debris removal
Wetland management for runoff reduction
Annual management programs tailored to farms
Why Aeration Matters in Florida
Florida’s laws place HOAs and property managers directly responsible for stormwater pond performance. Under ERP rules, owners must maintain retention ponds to ensure they filter nutrients, control flooding, and prevent discharges of pollutants.⁀ Failing to maintain aeration and shoreline vegetation can result in fines or non-compliance.⁁
Aeration also prevents algae blooms fueled by nutrient-rich runoff—a major issue in Florida summers.⁂ According to UF/IFAS, fountains and aerators improve water quality while enhancing aesthetics, directly supporting both compliance and community satisfaction.⁃
From commercial properties to golf courses, parks, industrial facilities, and farms, Otterbine Barebo aerators and fountains offer proven solutions to improve Florida’s ponds. They help HOAs meet regulatory obligations while creating beautiful, functional water features. Paired with A&B Aquatics’ full-service management—from lake mapping and water testing to shoreline erosion management—your pond becomes an asset rather than a liability.
Contact A&B Aquatics today to schedule a consultation. With professional expertise, vendor partnerships, and decades of experience, A&B Aquatics is Tampa Bay’s trusted partner for lake and pond management.
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† Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Environmental Resource Permitting Manual, Ch. 373, F.S.; F.A.C. 62-330.
‡ Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. §1251 et seq.); Florida Aquatic Weed Control Act (Ch. 369, F.S.).
• Otterbine Barebo, Inc., “Aeration & Fountain Systems,” Otterbine.com.
‣ Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Stormwater Management Systems in Florida (2023).
․ Otterbine Barebo, “Sunburst Aerating Fountain Product Data Sheet.”
‥ Otterbine Barebo, “High Volume Industrial Aerator Specifications.”
… Otterbine Barebo, “AquaStar Giant Fountain Product Overview.”
‧ Otterbine Barebo, “Air Flo Diffused Aeration Systems.”
Otterbine Barebo, “Gemini Aerating Fountain Literature.”
Otterbine Barebo, “Industrial Aeration and Mixer Applications.”
‰ Otterbine Barebo, “Sunburst Aerating Fountain Overview.”
‱ Otterbine Barebo, “Gemini & Tristar Aerators.”
′ Otterbine Barebo, “Polaris Giant Fountain Specs.”
″ Otterbine Barebo, “Triton Aspirator Overview.”
‴ Otterbine Barebo, “High Volume Aerator Testing.”
‵ Otterbine Barebo, “Air Flo Diffused Aeration Technical Guide.”
‶ University of Florida IFAS Extension, Fish Pond Management in Florida (2022).
‷ Otterbine Barebo, “Air Flo Diffuser Systems Overview.”
‸ Otterbine Barebo, “High Volume Aerator in Aquaculture Case Study.”
‹ Otterbine Barebo, “Triton Mixer and Aspirator Applications.”
⁀ F.A.C. 62-330; Florida DEP, ERP Compliance Handbook (2022).
⁁ Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD), Stormwater System Maintenance Guidance (2021).
⁂ Florida DEP, Nutrient Reduction Strategy (2020).
⁃ University of Florida IFAS Extension, Stormwater Pond Best Practices for HOAs (2021).
