Dock Bubblers & Packages More info Diffused Air Dock Bubblers More Info Industrial & Commercial Deicing Our deicing experts have years of experience with design and installation of bubblers and de-icers in mining, stormwater, gas and oilsands and tailings ponds, ski hills, municipal docks and marinas and dam deicing and pumphouse deicing. Using the most efficient systems we can design or recommend the ideal deicing or bubbler system for any job, large or small. Please contact us by email for industrial deicing jobs.

Types of deicers, ice eaters and dock bubblers
We usually help three different kind of people with building their bubbler;

1 - People with a small boat slip or boathouse they want to keep ice free so they can leave everything in place and not hail their boat out every winter,

2 - People who have larger docks our breakwaters out into a bay, lake or pond, either freshwater or saltwater, who need to keep large areas free of ice.

3 - Marina owners who need to keep multiple slips and dock pilings free from the pressure crush of pack ice or moving pack ice which can damage a dock or valuable boats.

Ice Eater® Dock Bubbler Deicers Price Includes USA Shipping The most energy efficient dock deicer is the Ice Eater® which uses a patented design and PVC flow director that circulates water to the surface, causing turbulence that reduces or eliminates ice formation around docks. More info 1 HP - 25' cord Ice Eater® P1000 1 HP with 25 foot cord Up to 80' diameter of open water 7.0 Amps - 115 volts More Info and price To see more Ice Eater® cord lengths and 230V options click here. Kasco Agitator Thrust Deicers Best prices on Amazon Mounted in either a vertical or horizontal position, the de-icer circulates water to the surface, causing turbulence that reduces or eliminates ice formation. Affiliate link: More info on Amazon Kasco store 1 HP 4400D - 25' cord Kasco 1 HP with 25 foot cord More info Bubbler Hose Weighted de-icer airhose/bubbler tube for deicing small and large areas. Weighted 1/2" I.D. tubing requires only 1 CFM per 100 feet (0.01 CFM per foot). Single runs of up to 200' can be used with even bubble flow. Flexible tubing has a lead-wire encapsulated in poly to act as a weighted keel, keeping the deicer tubing firmly on the bottom. More info. 125' Bubbler De-Icer Hose One-hundred twenty-five feet of weighted deicer bubbler tubing Price and options Dock Bubbler Packages Price Includes USA Shipping Some systems use self-weighted synergistic diffuser assemblies have some of the smallest and finest bubbles available in any diffuser and this means that you get the most lifting of water column towards the surface and less pressure loss during operation. Using the proper diffuser or perforated hose for bubbling makes all the difference in protecting a boat or a seawall. . More info Secure Shopping with Credit Card or Paypal® More products available at the Pond Report Store

For the small and medium sized applications we have built two all inclusive packages that include all the componants you need including compressor, tubing, bubbler line, clamps, connectors, caps and hardware. The small system includes 100 feet of self-sinking bubbler hose and 100 feet of weighted airline while the larger system has 250' of bubbler hose and 100 feet of self-sinking airhose.

Rotary Vane Compressor with high efficiency and energy saving build means electrical costs are at a minimum. The compressors are efficient rotary vane compressors which provide good airflow and pressure.

The larger systems are rated at 9.5 CFM at 5 PSI and 8.8 CFM at 10 PSI and are available in single and triple phase configuration. When you buy our smaller packages the pump is a 1/4 HP rotary vane pump that delivers 4.0 CFM at 5 PSI and only uses 5 AMPS. The compressors are not designed to be left outside in the snow and rain so a small shelter must be built to house the compressor, or you can use a boathouse or existing fockside shed to put your compressor.

Diffuser Tubing also called diffuser line, de-icing hose or bubbler line or De-Icer Tubing can be useful in bubbler systems and dock and boathouse bubblers when the traditional de-icers do not work due to the shallow natuer of the dock. While some people we know have had success building a bubbler line out of scehedule 40 PVC pipe with small 1/16" holes drilled every 12 inches or so this can require very large pumps and often the lines fill with water or perform only partly due to slight differences in hole size.

The tubing in this de-dock bubbler package has unique die cut slits located every 1-1/2" in groups of three which flex the airline tubing and allow air bubbles to flow and rise to the surface performing the deicing. The tubing slits close when air pressure is stopped and any water that accumulates in the bubbler tubing will be blown out of the holes upon the re-starting the compressor.
This sort of deicer works best when you have deeper waters around the dock but keep in mind that even an agitator aimed at the shallow shoreline, if it originates in waters of say 12 feet deep, can create a large opening under the entire dock structure. The size of the opening in the ice depends on the overall ambient air temperature but typically even a 1/2 HP or 3/4 HP device can open up a hole in the ice up to 60 feet in diameter.

When it is desirable to prevent ice damage in large marinas or yacht clubs over winter several units can be combined together to create a huge current that will open upon incredibly large amount of water. These units can either be suspended below the dock or pilings by nylon mooring ropes or can be attached to some sort of dock mount system. Several manufacturers, like Kasco Marine, offer high quality dock mount apparatus that allow you to strictly control the angel of attack of the deicer unit by using a graduated bracketing system.

When a dock is in shallow waters the popular deicer or ice eater may not work as well because this sort of motor needs to push warmer waters to the surface in order to be effective. When waters are 6 feet deep or less there is less temperature stratification in the water and even the water at the very bottom can be too cold to effectively melt surface ice.

While the agitation of the water will keep a small hole open even when trying to deice a shallow area the diameter of the hole is typically smaller.

In shallow waters the most popular system is called a bubbler or a dock bubbler. This sort of system involves an air compressor on the dock or shore mounted that blows air into diffusers or a diffuser line like a diffuser line, de-icing hose or bubbler line or deicer tubing which is a weighted perforated tubing that releases tiny bubbles down the length of the tubing.

The long linear length of bubbles creates a constant movement of water and this steady flowing curtain of bubbles ensures that there is no ice formation along the dock structure or boat slips.

Previous generations of weighted tubing were lead-lined stiff plastic PVC tubing with die cut slits ever 12 to 18 inches. I have found this tubing to be susceptible to kinks and ruptures not to mention the lead metal keel that was designed to keep the tubing on the pond bottom actually used a poisonous metal which has since fallen out of favor with anyone concerned about the potential health effects of heavy metals in our water. Newer developments in diffuser tubing have seen improvements in efficiency and safety by using all PVC diffuser tubing that contains zero metals.

PVC is a polymer of vinyl chloride and is insoluble in most organic solvents. Such diffuser line, de-icing hose or bubbler line, being constructed of vinyl resins, which are used in soft flexible films for food packaging and in molded rigid products, such as pipes, fibers, upholstery, and bristles, is a more environmental choice. Plus, the ability of such new diffuser tubing to remain flexible in cold temperatures makes it's use as a deicer tubing much more practical.

While the installation of such a dock bubbler system can be more labor intensive than the relative ease of installing a dock deicer, there are advantages.

A dock bubbler, because it uses an air compressor or regenerative blower, will cost less in electrical consumption compared to an ice eater agitator. Submersible motors run from 3 amperes to over 20 amperes depending on the horse power of the motor. An air compressor for a dock bubbler will run between 2 and 10 amperes.

When using diffuser lines to protect your dock from ice damage there will be some fairly common installation procedures: place the air compressor in a ventilated cabinet or shed. Some turnkey deicer systems come standard with a lockable cabinet designed to resist salt water and rust but some cheap deicers or homemade deicers do not include or even mention the need for a protective housing for the compressor. In our northern climates where winter temperatures near the Great Lakes can be a bone chilling minus 30 degrees for weeks on end it is essential to protect the compressor.

I have seen some inexpensive dock Bubblers that appeal to the do it yourself deicer types that claim that the compressor can sit on the dock without worry but that is a recipe for disaster! The compressor could be damaged by severe weather or in the case of a power failure could be destroyed by the freezing of any condensation in the compressor housing so don't be fooled into thinking a small dock can use a small linear air pump that sits on the end of the dock.

From the blower or air pump a weighted line runs into the water. The line can be buried but if you are using a thick walled and high bore airline you can often get away with surface layout. At the end of your airline you attach the diffuser line, de-icing hose or bubbler line or diffuser line which typically runs the length of the dock in need of protection. I sometimes recommend running multiple lines of tubing or a perimeter loop depending on the layout of the boathouse and boat slips involved.

Remember that variations in depth can affect the bubble flow of the diffuser tubing so it is better to use multiple lines if there are major deviations in depth around the marine or private dock. Sometimes even a variation of a few feet can inhibit the correct flow of air in a tubing. Since one PSI is equivalent to 2.3 feet of depth a difference of few feet could mean that air flow in the weighted tubing is restricted in the deeper areas and no bubbles are being released.

I have seen dock bubbler systems that include single lengths of tubing meant to be placed in a loop of over 400 feet and I have often seen large areas with no bubbles in such installations especially when undersized linear compressors are used. The temptation to buy a cheap bubbler are everywhere on the Internet but it is important to understand the limitations of the technology before leaning towards buying the cheapest system.

Of course, in larger marina projects, where hundreds of boat slips are involved and the dock structure is hundreds of feet of complex maze-like boat stalls a larger, more professional grade system is required. In projects like these we will install large high pressure, high CFM compressors to feed multiple lengths of 1/2 inch or 3/4 inch diffuser tubing. 3 HP to 5 HP compressor are not uncommon using a series of control manifold valves to control the airflow into multiple lines of diffuser bubbler hose.

Regardless of the system you choose it is wise to control the operation of the dock deicer or dock bubbler with a thermostat control that will only initiate operation of the motor when freezing temperatures warrant operation: usually when the air temperature is gist below the freezing threshold.

These inexpensive thermostats measure the outside air temperature and engage the air compressor or submersed thruster only when it is required. Another benefit of using a thermo control unit are the savings in electricity costs associated with the deicer.

Building your own deicer, do it yourself dock Bubblers
Send us an email describing your dock, marina or boathouse and our design team will submit an affordable bubbler plan or deicing strategy or take a look at our dock bubbler packages

Saving money is something most of us want to do and when confronted with the cost of a commercial de-icer I often hear people ask how they can build a cheap deicer or as me how to build a dock bubbler. It can be done but before you consider taking on the task ask yourself if it is really worth the time and effort to buy the parts required and, of course, the actual labor it entails to build a pond bubbler.

If your goal is to protect your dock and eliminate costly repairs from winter ice damage then you should weigh the cost benefits of purchasing a pre-designed system from a local expert. If you are gung-ho about doing it yourself it is really not rocket science! Building a dock bubbler involves buying a cheap pump, adding some airline, and then adding a diffuser hose or even diffuser discs at strategic points under the dock or boat slips. I've seen small deicers built for less than $600 dollars but I've also seen such systems fail due to poor design and costly boat and major dock repairs resulting!

Using standard PVC plumbing pipes and drilling holes with a hand drill is one way to avoid buying professional grade diffuser tubing but one errant drilling of a hole can result in catastrophic failure of the system. Pumping air through an open ended pipe, creating large coarse bubbles, will work to an extent but often the results are hit and miss.

Today's systems have undergone years of testing and while the temptation is often there to build a homemade bubbler is often nagging at our thrifty instinct I have seen such desires lead to more expenses that would have been involved in buying a dock bubbler from a reputable and experienced supply store.

Buying a dock bubbler or a de-icer
Buying a dock bubbler or a de-icer requires a certain level of expert knowledge. The Internet is full of websites that sell dock Bubblers and promote their simple systems and most claim that they do the job without issue. I have seen disappointment in many purchases because the retailer was more keen on selling their product than actually customizing a bubbler system to meet the specific needs of the clients particular situation.

In my years in helping solve pond issues I have seen my share of deicing projects. I don't sell de-icers; I leave the final shopping to those with the hard earned money. There are so many options when it comes to dock deicing that it is crucial to use due diligence and to look for the best deal. But beware, the best deal isn't always the cheapest. I have seen some people save a few hundred dollars by buying a cheap deicer on eBay but then they got no service or tech support when things go wrong. My advice has always been: deal with a company that does more than sell products; make sure they have an actual store, with experienced technicians and a track record of knowing what they are doing. There is more to doing the right thing than saving a few dollars; getting good advice and information is worth much more in the long run. See our Bubbler Packages.

Shallow Dock Bubbler Systems
When using surface agitaors or linear bubbler hose as a bubbler system is not practical or too costly the diffused air de-icing systems can be installed eaily and provide effective protection from ice damage. Instead of long lengths of bubbler hose these systems use a more standard diffuser that sits on the bottom near the structure needing protection that releases larger coarse bubbles to the surface which can create less ice buildup and open waters to mitigate ice pressure damage to pilings or boathouses.

More info on diffused air dock protection systems

Dock Bubbler & De-Icer Product & Website Reviews
We've seen all manner of websites and products and here are some reviews of popular products and websites from companies you have likely heard of. All website reviews are based on our reviewers experience with the websites being reviewed that offer Bubblers or deicers and their overall knowledge of deicer systems and should be considered as opinions and not scientific or even valid. May the buyer beware in all cases and ask questions before you buy.

Kasco Marine, Inc. De-Icers

Kasco has been a leader in submersible deicers for years and this website was popular amongst our testers. Good source of information on deicing docks and all specifications for the products. They have dealers throughout North America and our review panel found it easy to contact them to find a reliable dealer in any area in Canada or the United States. No pricing, typical of a manufacturers website, but overall it instilled confidence in our test subjects.

Kasco Deicers are available pretty much everywhere from Ebay to just about every mom-and-pop website on the web. A little digging by the consumer can find some incredibly low prices on these systems. Make sure you purchase from a reputable company so you will have after sales service in the event of warranty issues or problems with your deicer.

From the website: https://www.de-icer.com/
"Kasco De-Icers have been trusted to protect property and equipment for over 40 years. Kasco De-Icers have been proven to prevent ice formation around docks, boats, equipment, etc. from areas with minimal ice formation to over 300 miles north of the Arctic Circle. You can rest assured, your Kasco Marine De-Icer will protect your property during the harsh winter months. Kasco De-Icers are also used during non-winter months for improved water quality and water movement. Kasco De-Icers can eliminate stagnant water areas and keep trash and debris from entering your marina, boat house, or dock area. Use your Kasco De-Icer year round for improved water quality during summer months and for preventing ice damage during the winter months." Special pricing on Kasco deicers at Amazon

Ice Eater
The range of websites offering the ice eater shows that it is a popular low-cost deicer system and our review team was quite impressed by the construction presentation of the ice eater system. The Power House, Inc. uses only the finest materials in our patented product. By example, the end bell is made of solid brass, our housings are stainless, and the venturi shroud, which not only directs water flow, but protects the unit if it's dropped is made from schedule 40 PVC. The Ice Eater is actually more efficient to operate than Kasco. The Power House Ice Eater can clear a larger area than Kasco hp. for hp. The units don't require a dock mount, a cost saving feature. The material used in these products are superior to many other vertical lift unit. They one of have the best warranty return histories in the industry with some units still in operation after 20 years of use (i.e.. Cutter Marine in Maryland). They have established over the last 28 years a strong dealer-distributor network throughout North America. Powerhouse 3/4HP Ice Eater

From the website: https://www.thepowerhouseinc.com/ice_eater.html
"Ice Eater's Powerhouse 3/4HP Ice Eater propeller draws up warmer subsurface water and deflects it to the surface creating a constant circulation of warmer water that prevents ice formation. Ice Eater will melt existing ice. Unlike other de-icing units, Ice Eater requires no additional hardware in order to obtain the desired deicing pattern. Ice Eater is shipped complete with suspension lines. It can be taken out of the box, hung in place and plugged in. Ice Eater may be hung from a pier or boat. Two to three feet is the average operating depth. For optimal use and placement contact your Local Ice Eater Distributor by clicking the link above. DESIGN FEATURES: The design of the Ice Eater's venturi shroud (housing) with outwardly flared ends draws warmer water from greater depths than other conventional de-icers. The shroud is submersible below the surface either vertically or angled from vertical. A set of mounting holes at opposed positions on the flange allows the lines to be attached."

Dock Bubbler
It appears that the dockbubbler.com website is offline and they are no longer in business.
https://www.dockbubbler.com
This product and marketing seem to have struck a negative chord with our reviewers. Widespread marketing of what appears to be a substandard product left our reviewers unsure if this was a trustworthy operation. Systems indicated on website seemed to be cheap in quality yet pricing was high. Comments that this website seemed to be one of many offering the exact same product lead our reviewers to ask if it wasn't just an example of flooding the market with the same product under different website names.

From the website: https://www.dockbubbler.com/
"DB150-85 Dock Bubbler™ System w/ 180' Bubbler Loop Our DB150 Dock Bubbler™ System features a quiet SILENT AIR™ Linear air pump with a weather resistant aluminum housing for better ventilation and easy maintenance. The system is very energy efficient and uses less than 118 watts. The Dock Bubbler™ System includes 180' of weighted bubbler line, anchor strap to secure pump to dock or flat surface, 20' supply line (runs from pump to bubbler loop), check valve, and all required clamps and fittings. Price $1,395.00. DB150-90 DB150-90 Dock Bubbler™ System w/ 190' Bubbler Loop Our DB150 Dock Bubbler™ System features a quiet SILENT AIR™ Linear air pump with a weather resistant aluminum housing for better ventilation and easy maintenance. The system is very energy efficient and uses less than 118 watts. The Dock Bubbler™ System includes 190' of weighted bubbler line, anchor strap to secure pump to dock or flat surface, 20' supply line (runs from pump to bubbler loop), check valve, and all required clamps and fittings. Price $1,425.00."
It appears the dockbubbler.com website is offline and they are no longer in business.

Pond Books & Guides Our Selections On Amazon As an Amazon affiliate we may recieve payment for purchases made through Amazon. The Lakes Handbook: Lake Restoration and Rehabilitation Lake and Pond Management Guidebook Earth Ponds The Country Pond Maker's Guide to Building, Maintenance and Restoration Pond Restoration & Lake Management Lakes and Reservoirs Energy Independence, Off-Grid and Sustainable Living Wind Power Fundamentals, Technologies, Application, Economics Master Book of the Water Garden: The Ultimate Guide to the Design and Maintenance of the Water Garden The Pond Specialist

Dock De-Icer
https://www.lmimg.com
The website and product did not inspire confidence in our review panel. Pricing seemed high given the fact that the compressors seemed like cheap linear models and the tubing seemed like low quality clear food-grade plastic. Broken links in website and poor design left our review team asking if it was even a legitimate business.

From the website:
"DB40 Dock Bubbler™ System w/ 50' Bubbler Loop Our DB40 Dock Bubbler™ System features a quiet SILENT AIR™ Linear air pump with a weather resistant aluminum housing for better ventilation and easy maintenance. The system is very energy efficient and uses less than 36 watts. The Dock Bubbler™ System includes 50' of weighted bubbler line, anchor strap to secure pump to dock or nearby flat surface, 10' supply line (runs from pump to bubbler loop), check valve, and all required clamps and fittings Price $575.00 - QTY weight: 35 lbs Premium Dock Bubbler™ Enclosure The Premium Dock Bubbler™ Enclosure, available with all Dock Bubbler™ models, houses that best of what we have to offer in an extremely durable, lockable fiberglass container. Features • Reinforced fiberglass construction • Aluminum piano hinge • Stainless steel cable stays • Stainless steel locking hasp • 4” vents • GFCI cord set • Digital thermostatic controls • Watertight hardware • It’s ideal for those who insist on keeping a tidy dock area – even during winter. For areas with tidal issues, where water levels vary widely or in areas with “Brackish” water, we recommend leaving the system running continuously to avoid deposits from collecting on the bubbler hose and impeding its efficiency. Because this particular item contains thermostatic controls, this upgrade is not recommended for use in salt water. For Salt Water applications; please refer to product number: DB-PESW"

Ice Away
Sale Prices on Dock Deicers & Ice Eaters
https://www.arbrux.com
The ice-away product is along the same lines as the ice eater and the Kasco systems. Another variation which left our reviewers looking at a few Canadian websites that did seem to specialize in Canadian deicing companies. The product itself left some of our test subjects a bit unimpressed but the price points were good and the websites offering the product seemed to be specialists in dock care so they did receive a good rating.

Arbrux Deicers from Arbrux Limited are a manufacturer of De-Icers in Canada. The Arbrux de-Icers are more expensive than Kasco units but they are still known for its reliability and efficiency. The De-Icer brings the warmer, deeper water from the bottom of a body of water to the surface to create open water by utilizing a propeller to move the water at a rate of 500 gallons per minute.

The ½ HP De-Icer will generally keep a 40’ diameter circle open when the unit is placed 5’ below the surface of the water. Positioning of the De-Icer depends on the area/structure being protected. A De-Icer installed in a sling mount formation is ideal for boats and boat houses.

When slung between two mooring points, the De-Icer has less potential to oscillate. For areas with one mounting point, the De-Icer should be hung by a single chain. A float mount is also available for Deicers that are being used in areas without a mounting point available. For Installation after freeze up, the De-Icer can be installed through a hole that has been augured in the ice. This is convenient for mid winter installations.

The De-Icer comes standard with hooks and ropes for hanging. The use of a Franklin, stainless steel, water cooled and water lubricated motor eliminates the concern for oil leakage into the water while allowing for a maintenance free product. Their specially designed propeller and drive structure (both made from reinforced Zytel) create a high water flow while protecting the propeller and power cord from damage. Arbrux Deicers are fully ETL approved. They meet UL and CSA standards for safety. Arbrux Limited’s Deicers come standard with 1/2hp, 120V Stainless Steel Submersible Motors and either 7.5m (25’) or 15m (50’) power cables. Other voltages, Hp and cable lengths are available.

From the website:
"ICE-AWAY's high speed motor-driven propeller brings the warmer deep water to the surface. It is diffused upward and outward into a circular area equivalent to approximately 8 feet in diameter - for every foot of propeller depth! A 1/2 HP ICE-AWAY with a 25' cord placed at 5 feet of depth will- in most cases keep a 40 foot circle of water ice-free during the winter months. There are optional cord lengths and HP models. The price of a 1/2 HP ICE-AWAY unit with a 25' power cord is $689.95 plus GST and PST. To ensure proper operation, these units should be monitored during the winter months. Changing water levels in the lakes could expose the de-icer unit and result in a burned out motor. De-Icer units need to be kept at proper depth for maximum performance. Power outages that drop breakers will need to be turned back on, to restart the de-icer. Nothing should be left unattended for a long period of time. "

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