Large siphon question

[Bruce]

I am trying to use a 4" flexible corrugated plastic pipe to siphon from
my pond into a small pool and then to a stream bed. I have no problem
getting the flow going, but after a few days the flow rate goes down.
Then after about a week it stops altogether.

I did not need to use quite the capacity of the whole 4" line (but
wanted the high water pressure it provided to form a fountain on the
downside) so I added a cap in the pond at the top/supply side with many
3/8" holes. I was thinking that originally having the whole end open
was causing enough of a whirlpool effect that air was slowly building
up in the line and causing the siphon to eventually be lost, but the
change has not seemed to have any effect, besides reducing the flow
rate.

ANY ideas? It is not a big deal to restart the siphon now, but I want
the pipe to be buried/hidden in rocks and gravel and then it will be
MUCH harder to re-establish the siphon.

Thanks,

Bruce

[Snooze]

"Bruce" > wrote in message
oups.com...
>I am trying to use a 4" flexible corrugated plastic pipe to siphon from
> my pond into a small pool and then to a stream bed. I have no problem
> getting the flow going, but after a few days the flow rate goes down.
> Then after about a week it stops altogether.
>

Siphons are incredibly difficult to maintain. If the fill rate into the
suction side does no keep pace with the suction from the siphon, then the
water level will slowly drop and the siphon will suck in air. Or if debris
temporarily clogs the siphon entrance, the vacuum could suck an air bubble
in from the discharge side and break the siphon as well.

You may have to reengineer a solution that does not rely on a siphon. Pump
fill and gravity return is the most reliable. (Again provided a leaf or
something doesn't clog the return line)

-S

[~ janj]

>I am trying to use a 4" flexible corrugated plastic pipe to siphon from
>my pond into a small pool and then to a stream bed. I have no problem
>getting the flow going, but after a few days the flow rate goes down.
>Then after about a week it stops altogether.
>
>I did not need to use quite the capacity of the whole 4" line (but
>wanted the high water pressure it provided to form a fountain on the
>downside) so I added a cap in the pond at the top/supply side with many
>3/8" holes. I was thinking that originally having the whole end open
>was causing enough of a whirlpool effect that air was slowly building
>up in the line and causing the siphon to eventually be lost, but the
>change has not seemed to have any effect, besides reducing the flow
>rate.
>
>ANY ideas? It is not a big deal to restart the siphon now, but I want
>the pipe to be buried/hidden in rocks and gravel and then it will be
>MUCH harder to re-establish the siphon.
>Bruce

Hi Bruce. I think it may be due to the pipe being corrugated. Go with
smooth pipe, see my website www.jjspond.us click on *My Filter* and
scrolled down to the pictures below the filter diagram. This is how I
restart my siphon when needed. The line under ground is 3". ~ jan
--------------
See my ponds and filter design:
www.jjspond.us

~Keep 'em Wet!~
Tri-Cities WA Zone 7a
To e-mail see website

[Snooze]

"Hal" > wrote in message
...

>
> Water does separate into H2O when boiled
>

What is water before it's boiled?

[Mister Gardener]

On Wed, 19 Apr 2006 21:45:02 GMT, "Snooze" > wrote:

>"Hal" > wrote in message
...
>
>>
>> Water does separate into H2O when boiled
>>
>
>What is water before it's boiled?
>
Is this a trick question?

-- Mister Gardener