Had an idea last night as I was getting soaked to the bone.

[xroads]

So last night I went into my furnace room that houses all my sump, heaters, etc. It also has my sump pump in it. I noticed the pit was full & the little button on the pump had tripped. I pushed the button & the sump pump kicked in. It just hummed as the pipe was frozed outside & couldnt pump out the water. I give the pipe a few good shakes to see if I could break the ice loose. Sure enough something broke loose, but it was the pipe itself & not the ice. You would be amazed at how much water one of them babies can shoot out.

So after I unplug the pump & everythhing else electric I had an idea. I am going to use a sump pump as a surge device in the new tank. I will set it so it cycles every 20-30 minutes. I will have the outlet on the end of the tank so it will shoot water down the length of it. Hopefully it should make some pretty wicked flow for a few minutes. I have seen stainless steel pumps before.

Thoughts?
Craig

 

[Tank Razed]

Are the sump pumps built to handle up to 50 on/off cycles in a day?

That would be my concern, as I imagine that most sump pumps are designed for very few on/off cycles over the course of a year.

 

[xroads]

I know people that live in wet areas that run every 15 minutes like clockwork. Course the pumps usually only lasts about 2 years.

 

[waverz]

Might be fun to try....test it out and let us know how long it lasts.
The constant on/off and the saltwater would defenetly be a factor in the pumps life. How long it will last....who knows?

 

[jbrunken]

I'd also be worried about what contaminates the pump would introduce into the system. Those pumps aren't exactly made to be food grade...

 

[whome]

My 2cents: check into a sewer ejector pump instead of a regular sump. A sump is not built to take higher water temps or contaminates (including high mineral loads) on a regular basis. The ejector is built heavier duty and can take a higher water temp on a regular basis. Lasts longer too.

 

[IowaKevinK]

Sounds great. I'd just make sure even a stainless steel pump won't contaminate your water.

 

[glaspie69]

Not to sound like the pesemist but isn't this the same thing as a surge? You could mod a 55 gallon drum with a float release, just fill the drum with a large pump, water hits the float and releases. I think it would be a much safer approach. That and there cool....a guy had two surges on a small tank at IMAC I have pics if you want them.

 

[xroads]

Ya it is a surge. My original idea was to have a big drum like that. But how much action is that going to create in a 2700 gallon tank? That is why I was thinking sump pump as it would be closer to the violent action of a wave. If i could put the drum on a swivel so it would just dump out all at once might be an idea.

 

[got2lb]

I think a surge device or 2 would work better and would be a lot safer. Get a couple 55 gal barrels and use them for the surge. I would think the bigger the pipe you use the faster it will dump the barrel. 55 gal. of water in 5 sec. or so is a BIG surge! Then put one on the other end of the tank and have them alternate. You'll end up having a tsunami right in your family room!

 

[jeolson]

I used to run a 55 gallon drum as a surge it took awhile to get it working right but I figured it out and I used a 2" drain pipe it would drain the barrel in 32 seconds and took a few minuted to fill running of a mag 24 with 6' of head and 1" supply if you decide to go this way get ahold of me and I can tell you how to plum it

 

[xroads]

Thats why I like you guys. Stop me from making goofy mistakes & coming up with good alternatives. I think I will use the 55 gallon drum idea. Jeolson, can I use a bigge pipe for a faster drain?

Thx
Craig