"BenignVanilla" m wrote in message ...
First off, my apologies for crying like a ninny in 12 different threads
about my VF problem. I appreciate you listening to me vent, and I appreciate
all of the advice I have received. Before I do any more digging, I want to
make sure I understand how nature is working. This is my attempt to take my
12 threads, and make them 1.

This post is meaningless without a fixed width font...

1 2
_ _
| | _ _
|^^^| |^^^|
| 3== | |
| | \\| |
| | ==="-|
-----

2 is my reservoir pond. 1 is my VF. The pond (2) has a bottom drain that
connects to a pipe that runs along the pond floor and then angles up. This
pipe then empties into the VF (1). Originally the output (3) was above the
water level (^^^) in the pond (2). I am working to drop this level down and
dig the VF deeper. If I get this pipe below the water level (^^^) in the
pond (2) and I get it below the water level (^^^) in the VF (1), will the
water equalize to the same level (^^^) just above the pipe (==)?

It looks like it should, assuming (3) is open with no pumps, no
valves, etc.

My veggie filter (1) is actually above the koi pond (2) and I use 2
Oase 3700 GPH submersible fish basin pumps to move the water. While
you aren't really supposed to pump the bottom uphill, it is working
reasonably well for me. I've got a tanin problem and a bit of an
algae bloom because I don't have enough plants yet, but it is working
reasonably well.