Waste water utility pump

[GoBlue923]

I’ve been looking for a utility pump that can remove water to a near zero level or 1/4” or less. The problem is the size restrictions of the hole it has to fit into. The pump needs to be less than 4 1/4” x 5 1/4”. I have the Sicce utility pump already which works really well for moving water around however it is too big to fit into the opening in my waste water tank for my daily WC container. The tank is only 13 gallons and I probably need something that can pump water 5 feet vertically and have at least 150 gph. GPH isn’t that important but I prefer to waste the least amount of time emptying the tank. There are several options on Amazon but the reviews are all over the place. Anyone has experience with a good small reliable pump reasonably priced (<$100) please let me know. Thank you!

 

[Dburr1014]

Neptune has the pmup. A little slower but says it can go 14ft head.

 

[GoBlue923]

Neptune has the pmup. A little slower but says it can go 14ft

Lol, you actually reminded me I have one of these laying around. Well, it’s stored in the attic (out of sight out of mind). I won an Apex ATO kit from BRS when they were doing giveaways with orders during the holidays. I put it up there in the event my current ATO (Apex as well) dies.

 

[EricR]

I have one of these...

Draws water out to about 0.25" depth (my guesstimate from use).
Cheap and works.
Long-term reliability = Unknown. (Only use it for water changes every 2 weeks for about 8 months now,,, but still working under that limited use)

Cheap Pump

 

[GoBlue923]

I have one of these...

Draws water out to about 0.25" depth (my guesstimate from use).
Cheap and works.
Long-term reliability = Unknown. (Only use it for water changes every 2 weeks for about 8 months now,,, but still working under that limited use)

Cheap Pump

That’s one of four “cheap pumps” that I have in my Amazon cart right now. I would only use it once every couple of weeks to empty my daily water change waste container (~13 gal). Will it operate with the feet removed to allow it to take the water down a little farther?

 

[EricR]

That’s one of four “cheap pumps” that I have in my Amazon cart right now. I would only use it once every couple of weeks to empty my daily water change waste container (~13 gal). Will it operate with the feet removed to allow it to take the water down a little farther?

No.

I pulled off the suction cups from the bottom of mine but that doesn't really get the pump any measurable depth lower.

The molded casing has hard fins on the bottom to keep out large debris and the feet for the suction cups are at the same bottom level.

*you could theoretically cut the "fins" and "feet" on the bottom of the casing shorter but that'd be effort and likely not be able to get it that much lower before the intake bottoms out -- They're 1/4" tall (hence the "drain to 1/4" water level I mentioned). Maybe you could cut to 1/8" (half) and still have flow but that'd be "restricted" flow.

You're trying to drain "dry" your 13 gallon container without just dumping the last bit? (I assume it's in a non-movable spot or something?) -- I'd say NO on this pump then.

 

[GoBlue923]

No.

I pulled off the suction cups from the bottom of mine but that doesn't really get the pump any measurable depth lower.

The molded casing has hard fins on the bottom to keep out large debris and the feet for the suction cups are at the same bottom level.

*you could theoretically cut the "fins" and "feet" on the bottom of the casing shorter but that'd be effort and likely not be able to get it that much lower before the intake bottoms out -- They're 1/4" tall (hence the "drain to 1/4" water level I mentioned). Maybe you could cut to 1/8" (half) and still have flow but that'd be "restricted" flow.

You're trying to drain "dry" your 13 gallon container without just dumping the last bit? (I assume it's in a non-movable spot or something?) -- I'd say NO on this pump then.

Doesn’t have to be “dry” just trying to get it as low as possible so I can max out times between emptying it. The waste container is in a place that would require more work to get it in and out to empty every couple of weeks. The AWC saltwater is the exact same size so they fill/empty at the same rate. I can top off my new saltwater tank when filling so I’m trying to empty the waste container so I get more time between fill/empty days. I have an optical sensor in the waste tank so if/when it gets full I get a notification. Also shuts off the AWC in case I can’t get to it before the next AWC cycle starts.

 

[EricR]

For me, I'd use it for that purpose and be OK with the 1/4" leftovers.

If you really want left-over level to be less, you might be better off with an inline pump that has an intake hose fitting -- use the hose to drain down to as low as possible.

 

[GoBlue923]

For me, I'd use it for that purpose and be OK with the 1/4" leftovers.

If you really want left-over level to be less, you might be better off with an inline pump that has an intake hose fitting -- use the hose to drain down to as low as possible.

Thanks. I went ahead and ordered that “cheap” pump from Amazon. I think I went with the 35 watt (660 gph) one to guarantee it would fit in the waste container hole. For $18 if it lasts a year or two I’ll be happy. I always rinse all of my pumps with softened/filtered tap water after use so hopefully that will prolong the life of the pump.