If you have just invested in a water tank, you need a proper-functioning pump to ensure that your collected rainwater is put to good use. Water tank pumps can also come in handy when you need to boost low-pressure mains water and get it into the tank. However, in order to do all that, you need to get the right pump for your tank and needs. Below, find out the different factors you need to consider as you do so.
Flow rate
First, check the flow rate of the pump. The flow rate refers to how much water the pump can 'move' within a given time frame. Most pumps have a 'litres/min' rate. The right flow rate will depend on the size of your tank. The larger it is, the higher your pump's flow rate should be. If the flow rate is too low in comparison with your tank, it will take too long before you can fill/empty it.
Suction lift
Suction lift is the maximum vertical distance your tank can pump water, i.e. how high up your water can get pumped. If your pump does not have enough suction lift, you will not get water to your intended destination. You can determine the suction lift required by checking how high up your indoor storage tank is; your pump's suction lift should be slightly higher than that.
Pump type
There are several types of water tank pumps you can get. The most applicable are submersible and centrifugal pumps. A submersible pump goes inside the tank. However, this one is only ideal if you intend to use the pump only to pump water out of it. A centrifugal pump, on the other hand, is located outside the tank. It will allow you to pump water to several outlets and from several sources, e.g. mains or underground tanks.
Power consumption
Power is an important consideration to factor when selecting your pump. With electric pumps, you can check power consumption by checking how many watts your pump consumes. The higher this figure is, the more power your pump will consume. The right wattage depends on how many outlets and litres of water you intend to pump per session. To gauge if a pump has an acceptable wattage, compare it with what similar pumps have.
Automatic function
Automatic function in a pump is important. It allows a pump to turn on and off automatically when you open or shut your taps. This function therefore frees you from the laborious manual operation. In addition to that, automatic function ensures the pump can safely shut itself off when the tank runs dry to avoid damaging the pump.
Noise
Last but not least, check how noisy the pump is. Noise is rated in decibels (dB). Of course, the less noise your pump makes, the better. However, expect that your pump will still create some noise when operating.
If you select your water tank pump with the above considerations in mind, you are bound to buy a unit that will serve your every need for years to come.
