Cross Cuts - NO LONGER RECOMMEDED

[SantaMonica]

CROSS CUTS ARE NO LONGER RECOMMED (10/23/2010)

Old info:

Making cross-cuts in the slot is now recommended for all pipes. The biggest advantage of cross-cuts is that when algae grows up into the slot, a cross-cut will still allow water to flow out on top of the algae. Cross-cuts do require more flow, so if your pump/pipe combination is having trouble delivering the recommended 35 gph per inch of slot (53 lph/cm), then you might want to get more flow first. Start with one cross-cut every inch (2.5cm), and later try one every .5 inch (1.25cm):

[worley]

I can recommend this too, it can also help even out the flow across the entire screen.
Be sure to make the cuts wide enough, if not they may clog with algae quickly.