Ric :

Good points. We use a 5 gal bucket with holes drilled in it over inlet end of pipe for small pipe. Have to make sure it does not deter inflow to much or siphon will stop. We use chain link fence material to make a guard for larger pipe. We have stand pipes on 2 ponds one with a siphon also and one with just a siphon. You have to be careful about bottom valves. The one we had was hard to open even though it was a very good quality one. The reason we found out later was because at that depth the water pressure on the face of the plate was to high to turn the release wheel. One thing we use is a balloon valve . Just insert and inflate. ewest