Pump that will run sprinkler

Leon71 · #1 08-23-2011, 01:52 PM

I have this idea to pump any RO waste from a collection barrel in my basement to the sprinkler outside. Just going to add a hose bib to the wall. So about 8' head height. What should I use? Obviously in the winter it will have to go down the drain. Thanks for any and all advice. Leon

gobytron · #2 08-23-2011, 02:02 PM

why not just dump the bucket on your lawn or garden?

Leon71 · #3 08-23-2011, 02:06 PM

Because it is a PITA to carry 30-50 gals of RO waste up the stairs in 5 gal pails. Just trying to make it easier. And if it works really well, the water changes from the 150gal FW and 210 gal FW will go that way as well.

gobytron · #4 08-23-2011, 02:14 PM

well, if youre going to need a long hose or tube to attach to the sprinkler anyways, you can just siphon through that same tube...

no carrying required...

mike31154 · #5 08-23-2011, 02:22 PM

Ha, ha, I've been doing the pail lugging scenario for a while as well. A sprinkler will need close to your regular house pressure (60 psi?) to work reasonably well, so just do the math with your head height and see what works. Might need a fair sized pump to do that. Check your local irrigation specialist, they will often have pumps for that specific purpose. In most cases I think you'll need a good size holding tank just below ground level with the pump in there. Then the xfer pump to take it from your basement to the holding tank. So two holding tanks, this is getting complicated.

Personally I've been contemplating the addition of a 'grey' water system in my house. These are designed to collect various water such as dish, shower, bath etc. and use it to flush your toilets (one of the biggest water users in your home). I had mentioned it in a thread before and a member from Ontario I think, came on and described his system. Just need a sort of sump set up tied into a tank with a pressure bladder to feed the grey water system, similar to an RO drinking water tank only on a larger scale. A small pump on a pressure switch keeps the tank pressurized sufficiently to fill the toilet tank. No good for your sprinkler idea, but a way to recycle your RO waste year round.

Search the net for grey water system and you'll come up with plenty of info.

lastlight · #6 08-23-2011, 03:35 PM

Wow I was about to say... you will need one heck of a crazy pump to overcome the loss with all those sprinkler heads on each zone. Doubtful any of our hobby pumps could do that but I may be wrong.

I love that grey water idea. Flushing the toilets what a great idea. I'll be filling the 400 up soon and the thought of sending around 1200g down my drain to do so has honestly been really bothering me. Doubtful I have room to implement such a system and I don't really have any lawn to water either.

sphelps · #7 08-23-2011, 03:39 PM

Your sprinklers have a rating in terms of psi and flow rate so go by that, then any sprinkler supplier should have a pump or point you in the right direction. Same type of pump you would use for a well, I would think. I would however look more into a drip system for flower beds or garden as lawn sprinklers use a lot of water so it might not be worth while, yours may be different but for example mine use about 300 gallons per zone (x3 zones) each time they run. I also planned something similar when I installed my sprinklers but the savings didn't work out to my favor. What I did instead was use the RO waste in a circulation tank to feed my humidifier, although this does nothing in the summer it works well in the winter. Might do a drip system for flower beds next year, we'll see.

fishytime · #8 08-23-2011, 06:50 PM

How bout a dolphin aqua series..... 12500gph ...... Just stake the sprinkler down and Bobs your uncle

Myka · #9 08-23-2011, 07:24 PM

I have been thinking about this same thing. I'm going to go to Early's to ask them about it.

I'm currently collecting RO waste in a 65 gallon drum that is outside. I have a bulkhead near the bottom with a hose tap fitted onto it. So I just screw a hose onto the tap and use gravity to hand water the flower beds. I will also hand water a few spots where the underground sprinklers don't reach very well. I have quite a few flower beds though, and I can't keep up to the RO waste water. That is partially because the underground sprinklers get most of the flower beds at the same time though, so they only need a little bit of hand watering.