Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Syphon tube question

Just coming up on the 3 year birthday of our pond and forunately the October rains filled it up. It only needs about an inch of rain and it will be over the spillway. I must say that I have dreamed about the pond being full and have been imagining in my head what it would look like full for 3 years! It is a real pleasure to see it full. The thought of the winter and spring rains continually putting water over the spillway concerned me as we have a mix of sand and clay that can erode quite easily. This weekend the contractor that I used checked the dam and spillway and recommended that we put in a syphon tube. He will only charge me for the parts. This will conveniently solve another problem for me. When I built the fixed portion of my dock, I built it a few inches too low and it has an inch of water over the top of it! When he puts the tube in he will lower the full level of the pond by 4", saving me the trouble of having to build the dock up.

Question: He is putting in an 8" tube. I asked about putting some type of a cage to keep fish from getting sucked in and he said he never puts them in. He says that while we may occasionally lose fish, the fish will usually swim away from the suction. He also said that the gaps in any guard are generally still large enough to suck in small fish anyway. So - should I put a guard on or just let it be open pipe?

I'd put a guard on, not so much for fish, but any sticks or turtles that might get sucked up and plug the siphon.

Otto says put a trash guard on any drain pipe under 24", to prevent branches,etc. from sticking in it and causing a clog.

Thanks gents! called him today and he is putting one on.