Cleaning a rain water harvester

[spareshunter]

Anyone cleaned out a rain water harvester. there is approx 12ins of sludge at the bottom mainly pollen which makes the water a horrible grey for flushing loos.

Using an ordinary suction pump that needs priming with water appears could create problems as it starts to suck air/ water mixture and maybe create pump malfunction problems.

The pump needs to lift at least 12 foot. Could do with something like an Aqua Vax with a hose connected to a long waste pipe that could cope with air/water mixture?

Or is final solution getting in there with a sponge and bucket??

 

[Burnerman]

Any submersible pump is self priming and will do what you need.....if its only pollen to clear then it doesn't even have to be a foul water type.
However, Machine Mart PSV2A (051016040) will be good, and there's even a cheaper version.
John

 

[spareshunter]

Hi, looked at submersible pumps and seems what I need however its getting that last bit out that's the problem. What is the depth of a submersible before the float switch cuts in or depth if disabled.

Thanks will look at M/mart for options.

 

[Burnerman]

With mine, I disabled the float switch by disconnection.....its possible to tie it up though!
A solids pump usually doesn't pump right to the bottom of the pit - leaves an inch or so - so I've fitted a collar around the base of mine so that it sucks closer to the floor. This works to around 1/8 to 1/4". Of course, a concrete floor in a pit is usually uneven anyway.
If your solids are just pollen, giving a squirt with a hose just to help things along will be fine using a clean water pump....anything in suspension is unaffected by those.
John

 

[spareshunter]

so I've fitted a collar around the base of mine so that it sucks closer to the floor. This works to around 1/8 to 1/4"

Nice, like the thinking on that one. you live and learn.