On Fri, 2 May 2003, Michael Shaffer wrote: (Top-posting to his own posts)

actually now that I think about it I guess I should put the pipe as far
into the pond as possible to get the biggest suction force.


Two things, not particularly compatible he
1) You do want to put the supply pipes as deep into the pond as you can,
so as to pick up the debris that sinks.
2) You want to minimize the length and number of angled fittings in the
supply pipe, to maximize flow.

Also, with the trees, a surface skimmer is a real good idea.

You might think about combining these: Put a fairly high output pump, or
at least one that can prodcue a good flow at high pressure, in the
"clean" side of a skimmer box. Direct its output as a jet, to pick up
bottom debris in a venturi, and flow that with a larger volume of slower
water, up and into the settling tank. As previously mentioned, have the
inlet pipe to the settling tank exit to the side, giving a swirling effect
to the water; this will greatly help collecting the debris and letting it
settle out. With the setling tank buried the way you have it, there is a
minimum of static head, and you should be able to get pretty good
scavenging off the bottom of the pond.

Dave