Set the pump on a bucket, block or chimney flue to keep it off the bottom of
the pond. If you can, make a plumbing connection to the pump that goes to
the bottom with pipe for the pickup to act as a bottom drain, but put a hole
in the pipe near the pump. When the water falls lower than the hole, the
pump will start pumping air, and the fish will still have an adequate amount
of water to swim in.
--
RichToyBox
http://www.geocities.com/richtoybox/pondintro.html


"FBCS" wrote in message
...
I awoke this morning and as every morning I went outside for a quick trip
to
the pond to feed the fish while coffee is making. To my horror not the
usual
nice sounds of water running down the falls, but the gurgling of a
submersed
pump in an just about empty pond. Fortunately there was about 3" of water
left for the fish. I filled it back up and the fish are doing fine. Even
with all this new water I still have murky water.

Last night we had tornado warnings resulting in bad lightening and rain
storm. Filter material I placed in the falls to clean some of the smaller
particles got turned around and caused the falls to run over.

What is really weird is I have dreams like this. I come out, the pond
empty
.... or fish laying outside the pond.... or all floating. I think I read
to
many rec mails. Anyone want to analyze this. Joann