Understanding Water Pumps
Each type of pump moves water differently, and the best choice depends on where your water source is and how you plan to use it.
Jet Pumps sit above the water source and use suction to pull water up — perfect for shallow wells, tanks, or situations where the pump needs to stay dry. They’re simple, reliable, and often used for garden or household water transfer.
Multistage Pumps also sit above the water but use multiple impellers to build higher pressure. This makes them ideal for larger homes, irrigation systems, or applications where steady, strong flow is important (like multiple bathrooms running at once). They’re quiet and energy-efficient too.
Submersible Pumps, on the other hand, live in the water — often inside a bore or deep tank. Because they push water rather than pull it, they’re extremely efficient for deep water sources or clean, pressurised delivery straight from the tank.
In short:
- Jet Pump | Good for shallow lift and simple setups
- Multistage Pump | Best for consistent high pressure
- Submersible Pump | Ideal for deep or sealed water sources
Still unsure which suits your setup? Reach out to the team at Tank Master — we’ll help match the right pump to your home or hobby farm.
Choosing the right pump isn’t just about picking the most powerful one — it’s about matching pressure and flow to your household or hobby farm needs.
Water pressure is measured in PSI or kPa and affects how strong the water feels when it comes out of taps, showers, or sprinklers. Too low, and showers will trickle; too high, and you could stress your pipes and fittings. Most homes are comfortable with 30–50 PSI (200–350 kPa), while larger properties with multiple bathrooms or irrigation systems might need higher.
Flow rate is the volume of water delivered over time, usually in litres per minute (L/min). Think of it like the width of the pipe — a wide pipe with a good pump gives plenty of water for multiple taps at once. For a small home or cabin, 10–15 L/min is often enough. Larger homes or hobby farms with irrigation or livestock might need 20–40 L/min or more.
To match your pump, make a simple list of all the fixtures and systems you plan to run at the same time. Then check the pump’s flow and pressure ratings — your goal is a pump that can comfortably handle the peak demand without constantly cycling on and off.
If you’re unsure about the right combination for your home or farm, contact Tank Master — our team can guide you to a pump that keeps water flowing smoothly without wasting energy.
Every pump has a natural limit to how far it can pull water up from a tank, bore, or well — this is called suction lift. Think of it like trying to suck water through a straw: the higher the water has to travel, the harder it is to move it.
For most domestic jet and multistage pumps, the practical suction lift is about 7–8 metres from the water surface to the pump inlet. Go higher, and the pump struggles, cavitation can occur, and you risk damaging the impeller. Submersible pumps don’t have this limit because they sit in the water and push it up instead of pulling it.
Other factors that affect suction lift include pipe diameter, number of bends, and friction. Narrow, long, or twisty pipes reduce how far the pump can draw water efficiently. Temperature and water quality can also play a small role, as hot or dirty water can make suction more difficult.
In short, suction lift matters if your pump is above the water source. To ensure smooth operation, always keep your pump within recommended limits and avoid unnecessary bends or restrictions in your suction pipe.
Not sure what suction lift works for your tank or bore? Contact Tank Master — we’ll help you choose the right pump and setup for safe, reliable water delivery.
When it comes to pumps, electricity isn’t just about the running wattage listed on the pump label — there’s also the start-up load, also known as inrush current. This is the extra burst of electricity a pump needs to get going, often several times higher than its normal running power.
For example, a 600W pump might pull 2–3 times that amount for a fraction of a second when it starts. This is important if you’re connecting the pump to a generator, solar system, or a shared circuit — the system must handle this initial spike without tripping fuses or overloading.
Running wattage, on the other hand, is the power the pump consumes once it’s up and operating normally. This is the figure that affects your electricity bill and the sizing of circuit protection. Pumps that cycle frequently or run for long periods will have a greater impact on your energy use, so efficiency matters.
To make sure your setup is safe and reliable, check both the starting and running power requirements and match them to your power source. Proper wiring and circuit protection are essential.
Not sure how to calculate the load for your pump or pick the right power setup? Reach out to Tank Master — we’ll guide you through safely powering your pump and keeping your system running smoothly.
A pressure controller is like the “brains” of your pump system. Its main job is to automatically switch your pump on and off to maintain a steady water pressure in your pipes.
When you open a tap, the pressure in the system drops. The pressure controller senses this and tells the pump to start delivering water. Once the tap is closed and the system pressure reaches the set level, the controller turns the pump off again. This prevents your pump from running continuously and keeps water pressure consistent for showers, taps, and irrigation.
Some pressure controllers also have built-in protection features, such as preventing the pump from running dry or cycling too frequently, which helps prolong the pump’s life. They’re available for different types of pumps, including domestic jet, multistage, and submersible models.
In short, a pressure controller makes your pump operation automatic, efficient, and safe, so you don’t have to manually turn it on or off every time you need water.
If you’re unsure which pressure controller suits your setup or how to install one, contact Tank Master — we’ll help you choose and set up the right controller for your system.
A VFD pump, or Variable Frequency Drive pump, is a smart type of pump that can adjust its speed to match your water demand. Unlike a regular pump that just switches on or off, a VFD pump varies its motor speed to provide exactly the right flow and pressure at any given moment.
This has a few big advantages:
- Energy efficiency: By running only as fast as needed, a VFD pump uses less electricity than a standard pump that runs full speed all the time.
- Gentle on plumbing: Gradual ramp-up and ramp-down reduce pressure spikes, protecting pipes, valves, and fixtures.
- Consistent pressure: Whether you’re using one tap or multiple taps, the pump maintains steady water pressure without cycling on and off constantly.
- Longer pump life: Smoother operation and reduced stress on the motor mean fewer repairs and a longer lifespan.
VFD pumps are especially useful for larger homes, hobby farms, or setups with fluctuating water demand, like irrigation systems or multiple bathrooms running at once.
If you’re wondering whether a VFD pump is right for your tank, household, or farm, contact Tank Master — we can help you decide and set it up for optimal performance.