Do I understand what you're saying to mean that you have no cover above the
drain? If so, then that's your problem.. Water will take the path of least
resistance: it will draw from straight above rather than be forced to suck
from the bottom. Experiments were made using the lid of a trashcan for a
mold, then filling it with concrete with little PVC "legs" to keep it
elevated above the bottom by an inch or so. It didn't work too well, because
there wasn't enough room for "draw". However, same concept using a terra
cotta bowl, *partially* filled with concrete allows room for the water to
flow - and it will work. However, *some* kind of cover has to be placed
over the open hole or it won't pull from the bottom.

Is that what you meant, or did I misinterpret?

Lee

"BenignVanilla" wrote in message
...
snip

My BD is a DIY...although I never put my DIY diffuser on last year. I
think
this year, I will be doing some swimming to get that done. Right now, I
have
the pump running to see how it works to remove leaf matter. So far, not so
good without the diffuser.


--
BV.
www.iheartmypond.com