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Finn2025
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# Posted: 12 Oct 2025 12:11pm
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Hello all. Looking for ideas for an easy way to get a submersible pump into & out of the lake. Previous owners built a carriage from 2 truck rims connected by a piece of pipe. The pump is clamped to the carriage & pushed into the lake 10' at a time as sections of pipe are connected. Manual labor at its finest. I'm wondering if something like a kayak cart with larger wheels would work, & survive being submerged for 5 months/year. Something like this: https://www.vevor.com/kayak-cart-c_12089/kayak-cart-200-lbs-foldable-canoe-carrierwit h-10-inch-solid-rubber-tires-p_010271211530 If anyone has other thoughts, I'd love to hear them. Appreciate the advice.
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gcrank1
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# Posted: 12 Oct 2025 02:09pm
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Instead of heavy truck rims how about a pair of those 'compact spare tires' for small cars, smaller and lighter.
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Finn2025
Member
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# Posted: 12 Oct 2025 03:38pm
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Yes, trying for something easier to maneuver. Maybe even bicycle tires. I >think< I could make something, but was looking to see what might already be available. Thanks for your comment!
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gcrank1
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# Posted: 12 Oct 2025 04:12pm
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Skinny tires with a load tend to sink in if where you are putting it is not a hard bottom
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Finn2025
Member
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# Posted: 12 Oct 2025 04:15pm
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Well, I didn't think about that! But it certainly makes sense. Scratch that idea.
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gcrank1
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# Posted: 12 Oct 2025 05:17pm
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My compact spare idea might not work either, they would have floatation even if no air pressure in them I think. They do make pretty good light duty utility trailer tires though.
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Brettny
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# Posted: 13 Oct 2025 12:03pm
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Why not just swim it out or bring it out with a canoe and dump it overboard? Black poly is prety tough stuff so when it's time to bring it in just drag it a shore.
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Finn2025
Member
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# Posted: 13 Oct 2025 07:18pm
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For one thing, I'm not that capable a swimmer! The current setup doesn't use black poly; I have 10' sections of 2" threaded pipe. Here's how it's done today: mount the pump to the carriage, screw a section of pipe to the pump, zip tie the electrical wire to the section of pipe, push the pump into the lake 8', screw a new section of pipe to the first pipe, zip tie the wire, push it out 8', repeat until there's no more pipe sections, make a final connection to black poly, & plug it in. I've included a picture of my current carriage that I'm looking to replace. I can't imagine hauling that out in a canoe (with the 30 pound pump attached) & tossing it in. I'd capsize for certain.
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gcrank1
Member
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# Posted: 13 Oct 2025 09:39pm
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So the wheels trolly down the rails?
Instead of 'bulling' the works how about using a winch?
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FishHog
Member
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# Posted: 14 Oct 2025 08:01am
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If it too big and heavy to handle have you looked at new pumps. Some are very small these days
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Brettny
Member
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# Posted: 14 Oct 2025 10:55am
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This seams overly complex when you could just chuck a pump out into the water.
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Finn2025
Member
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# Posted: 14 Oct 2025 04:02pm
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gcrank1 - no rails involved, the rims ride over the rocks, sand, etc. as the pump is pushed out. Could probably use a winch to pull the pump in but not to get it out into the lake.
FishHog - no, haven't consider replacing my pump as this one is only about 5 years old.
Brettny - I don't want the pump sitting on the bottom in the sand & vegetation.
Thanks all.
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Brettny
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# Posted: 18 Oct 2025 07:27am
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Quoting: Finn2025 I don't want the pump sitting on the bottom in the sand & vegetation
Theres ways around this without moving parts. PVC is cheap, light and last a really long time under water.
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gcrank1
Member
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# Posted: 18 Oct 2025 09:16am
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How about a float with the pump suspended beneath?
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Finn2025
Member
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# Posted: 18 Oct 2025 01:26pm
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Brettny - I assume you're proposing I build a PVC "stand" to hold the pump off the bottom. I still have the problem of putting it into & pulling it out of the lake.
gcrank1 - seems like that would be a hazard for boats.
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Brettny
Member
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# Posted: 18 Oct 2025 01:37pm
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Sounds like your alreaty doing it the best way then.
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Finn2025
Member
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# Posted: 18 Oct 2025 04:30pm
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Thanks. I guess no one is using a cart like I linked in my original post. That's what I was primarily wondering. Maybe many people prefer centrifugal pumps over submersibles.
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gcrank1
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# Posted: 18 Oct 2025 05:23pm - Edited by: gcrank1
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Do it like a submarine, put float bladders on the sides that you can deflate when it gets out there and inflate to raise and bring it in?
Use a 'cage' of some sort under the pump to keep it off the bottom.
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rpe
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# Posted: 19 Oct 2025 09:25am
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Why can't you leave it out in the lake all year? We do that, and the poly pipe that transitions through the ice in winter seems to survive the freeze-thaw just fine.
Here's the submersible pump stand I built of ABS leftovers. There are some important design details to get right. If you end up going this route, I can describe in more detail.
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Finn2025
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# Posted: 19 Oct 2025 03:09pm
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gcrank1 - I have no idea how I'd set that up. Seems much more complicated that what I have. Cool idea though.
rpe - For one, my setup uses 10' sections of galvanized pipe. No clue how they'd withstand the ice. That would certainly simplify things though.
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FishHog
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# Posted: 20 Oct 2025 07:25am
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Quoting: Finn2025 rpe - For one, my setup uses 10' sections of galvanized pipe. No clue how they'd withstand the ice. That would certainly simplify things though.
If your trying to make things easier, why not entertain the idea of changing what your currently using. The pic rpe posted is what I was referring to by changing pumps. Something that small and light could be removed each year, but like rpe, run poly from the pump up past the water line. Connect there to your pipe if you want, and just brake it there to drain, let the poly freeze.
Maybe I'm reading your replies wrong, but it seems like you are asking how to make it easier, but then not entertaining the idea of moving away from your existing setup.
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rpe
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# Posted: 20 Oct 2025 08:24am
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Like Fish says, I would get rid of the galvanized pipe as step #1. Poly pipe could stay in year round. If you must remove for some reason, leave a rope and float attached to the pump stand, boat out and lift it off the bottom, and have a friend pull you to shore.
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Brettny
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# Posted: 20 Oct 2025 10:23am
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Quoting: FishHog it seems like you are asking how to make it easier, but then not entertaining the idea of moving away from your existing setup
Bingo!
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gcrank1
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# Posted: 20 Oct 2025 10:56am
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Pulling the rig in with a winch should take most of the pain out of that, even more so if you use poly into the water.
Putting it out again Im still inclined to do so kind of 'float it out' and release to sit on the bottom.
Maybe doing that with some 'skis' rather than wheels would be easier?
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Finn2025
Member
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# Posted: 21 Oct 2025 08:20am - Edited by: Finn2025
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FishHog - What I was primarily asking about was the kayak cart I linked in my first post. Getting the pump in & out of the lake is the part I'm trying to make easier.
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Finn2025
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# Posted: 21 Oct 2025 08:25am
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rpe - I don't own a boat. And I don't want to leave something floating where people swim.
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Finn2025
Member
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# Posted: 21 Oct 2025 08:27am
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Brettny - I asked about 1 part of my existing setup that no one has yes specifically commented on - the kayak cart as a replacement for my "carriage".
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Finn2025
Member
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# Posted: 21 Oct 2025 08:30am
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gcrank1 - I don't own a winch. The ski idea is a good one but I haven't seen a cart with that option. I'll look for that.
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Finn2025
Member
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# Posted: 21 Oct 2025 08:32am
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All - thanks for your comments. Sorry if I appear negative. I'm just trying to simplify what I already have without buying a whole new setup.
I think this has pretty much run its course so this thread can probably be closed (if your Mods do that on this forum). Thanks again.
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yuanshengmech
Member
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# Posted: 19 Nov 2025 01:50am
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 Hey @Finn2025 — that’s a solid question, and you’re definitely not alone in trying to find a more practical way to handle your pump + aerator setup.
Just like you, a lot of folks in aquaculture forums are bringing up dissolved oxygen (DO) management as a top concern. One thing to think about: pairing your aquaculture machine aerator with a DO probe + simple controller is becoming pretty common. That way, instead of running the aerator full throttle all the time, it only kicks in when DO drops below your set point. Saves you on energy, and helps keep your fish healthy.
About your carriage: using a kayak cart with big wheels seems like a creative idea, but submersion might wear out its parts and you’ll need to make sure axles or bearings are rust-resistant. Some “do-it-yourselfers” on pond-keeping boards have suggested using lightweight, sealed wheels (or even certain utility trailer tires) that won’t hold water or corrode as fast.
As for a variable-frequency drive (VFD): yes, this could work. Retrofitting a VFD to the aerator motor might give you the flexibility to adjust the aeration speed based on real-time DO demand. This is something more farms are doing now, especially to save power during periods when demand for oxygen is lower (like during the night or low-temperature hours).
On the solar-power front — absolutely realistic. I’ve seen smaller farms use solar + battery to run aerators during daylight, and then fall back on the grid or generator at night. It’s not trivial, but it’s a proven way to reduce your electricity cost and make your setup more resilient.
One more tip on safety and placement: make sure any submersible pump or aerator stays off the bottom mud too much — this reduces clogging and keeps your unit from overworking. Also, use a proper GFCI-protected outlet when powering anything in the water (and avoid lifting gear by the power cord). These are small but important things to help protect your system and keep it stable year to year.
If you like, I can sketch out a few design ideas for a mobile, “deploy-and-retrieve” rig for your aerator + pump. Happy to brainstorm with you.
https://www.yuanshengmech.com/product/[img=null]null[/img] [img=null]null[/img]
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