Installing indoor cistern, pump recommendation

[SuperGreg]

Hi all, I have a very silty well, and have gotten by with extensive filters but between the hassle there and the fact that using a lot of water straight from the well kicks up more silt, it's been recommended to me to pump slowly into a tank, and then pump out of there as fast as I need to (and silt will settle in the tank).

I currently use chlorine injection and plan to continue to use that before the tank. I got a 500 gallon Norwesco doorway tank (had to remove a wall to get it in my mechanical room though!).

I have a Waterline Controls system for the tank to run the well pump and low water cutoff for the booster.

I'm a bit stalled at this point as far as the booster pump. I was assuming I would get a jet pump, but then was told this could be noisy, so I'm thinking a submersible would be better. I've searched around and I'm having trouble figuring out exactly what pump is adequate for this job, so really hoping someone could point me in the right direction. I would prefer a 240v pump and would like to use a CSV with it. No experience with a CSV but read lots of good things.

I have an ultrafilter that does wonders removing the very fine silt after my other backflushing filters, but it's time to replace the membrane, and for the cost I'm wondering if there is something else that would do the job. I've been told a "bag filter" would work but not familiar with that.

Thanks!

 

[Valveman]

Submersible in the cistern would be much more quite. A 1/2HP, 10 GPM up to a 1HP, 33 GPM pump will work fine with a CSV like in the PK1A kit varying the flow and stopping the cycling. Any shallow well jet pump with a max pressure of 70 PSI will also work with the PK1A kit and a 40/60 pressure switch.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[SuperGreg]

Thank you, that diagram is what i had in mind - any recommendations on pump models?

I'm told I can put a flow reducer in line with my well pump to bring the GPM down, what is actually used for that and how low do you think the flow can be reduced before it's bad for the pump?

 

[SuperGreg]

Am I on track looking for something like this?

Franklin 10GPM 1/2HP Submersible Cistern Pump (115v or 230v)

HIGH QUALITY, LONG-LASTING CISTERN PUMP Our Franklin 10GPM cistern pump provides high performance and long life for rainwater harvesting applications. Not to be confused with the C1 20GPM models (which are…

www.rainbrothers.com

 

[Valveman]

Thank you, that diagram is what i had in mind - any recommendations on pump models?

I'm told I can put a flow reducer in line with my well pump to bring the GPM down, what is actually used for that and how low do you think the flow can be reduced before it's bad for the pump?

The well pump and motor can survive with as little as 2/10s of a GPM flow. However, I always err on the high side for cushion and used 1 GPM as the minimum flow needed to keep the pump/motor cool.

 

[Valveman]

Am I on track looking for something like this?

Franklin 10GPM 1/2HP Submersible Cistern Pump (115v or 230v)

HIGH QUALITY, LONG-LASTING CISTERN PUMP Our Franklin 10GPM cistern pump provides high performance and long life for rainwater harvesting applications. Not to be confused with the C1 20GPM models (which are…

www.rainbrothers.com

Stay away from those so called "cistern pumps". The intake on the bottom leaves much less room for the motor, and it is not as robust as a regular water well submersible. A 10 GPM, 1/2HP is a good size, just need the intake in the middle. A cheap cooling shroud or flow inducer sleeve will make it draw from the bottom and keep the motor cool.

 

[Valveman]

Franklin makes a good submersible motor, I just don't like what they have done to their pumps. A Goulds or Grundfos is a preferable pump end, and work well with a Franklin motor, which makes my favorite combination. For the price you can't beat one of these. https://www.ebay.com/itm/290825831348 Might seem like overkill but can still be restricted to 1 GPM if needed. They also make a good booster pump for in the cistern as in the drawing above.

 

[Reach4]

Pump in flow inducer can go horizontal in your cistern. This lets you draw from closer to the bottom.

While centering bolts are not needed, but for horizontal I wonder if adding a couple centering bolts at about 7:30 and 4:30 clock positions might be worth considering. Probably minimal worth.

https://terrylove.com/forums/index.php?threads/flow-inducer-sleeve.95740/post-688352 addresses the fact that there is plenty of room for water flow with a "4 inch" pump in a "4 inch" pipe.

 

[SuperGreg]

Thanks so much! Due to the silt and most likely substantial accumulation of it at the bottom of the tank, I would prefer to pump from higher up. Do all the deep well pumps need a flow inducer to work?

 

[SuperGreg]

Franklin makes a good submersible motor, I just don't like what they have done to their pumps. A Goulds or Grundfos is a preferable pump end, and work well with a Franklin motor, which makes my favorite combination. For the price you can't beat one of these. https://www.ebay.com/itm/290825831348 Might seem like overkill but can still be restricted to 1 GPM if needed. They also make a good booster pump for in the cistern as in the drawing above.

Wow, that's a good price. Can I run this as is or otherwise rig it up to not pull from the bottom?

Can you buy motors and pump ends separately?

 

[Valveman]

Thanks so much! Due to the silt and most likely substantial accumulation of it at the bottom of the tank, I would prefer to pump from higher up. Do all the deep well pumps need a flow inducer to work?

Flow inducer will double the life, but it will work without it. Can hang pump from top like in a well or lay it on a cradle raised off the tank bottom.

 

[Valveman]

Wow, that's a good price. Can I run this as is or otherwise rig it up to not pull from the bottom?

Can you buy motors and pump ends separately?

Good price, but needs an added check valve. The built in check valve is no good. Extra check valve is half the price of the pump. Lol! Pumps and motors come separately, just don't know about that brand.

 

[SuperGreg]

Good price, but needs an added check valve. The built in check valve is no good. Extra check valve is half the price of the pump. Lol! Pumps and motors come separately, just don't know about that brand.

Saw that in the comments! I assume this pump will work with a CSV?

 

[Valveman]

Saw that in the comments! I assume this pump will work with a CSV?

Yes.