Brooktrout if you decide to go with a siphon and have any distance to go a rigid pipe works better than flexible cause it helps eliminate high spots that can collect air and cause back pressure to stop your siphon.
I use 2 inch gray pvc conduit, they are 10ft.each with a bell end so you can connect each pipe without using seperate connectors and with a small pond 2 inch might be sufficient depending on the head from stream to pond.
When starting the siphon I just use a submersible pump in the stream and pull the pipe off after 15 or 20 seconds, then I attach a plastic T to the intake, the T is drilled with many holes so this spreads the suction over a larger area and reduces the chances of debris clogging it. If your worried about trash fish you can make a filter box with screening which will also reduce the chances of clogging.
I have two 300ft. long siphons and this has worked well for me.
Last edited by adirondack pond; 03/08/13 12:18 PM.
