Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations electrical guru's take notice

2 strands of 2 Gauge the whole way - that sounds like a pretty decent 120VAC run.

Underground splices can indeed be problematic sometimes. They can be done reliably (I have one in the 200 Amp service buried to my house; passing electrons for 18 years with no problems, knock on wood), but what you have envisioned may be much easier to implement AND you get something out of it, too.