Help pump is in tank

[JonP]

I would hazard to guess that lately Glen has been using something other than a computer keyboard to post here. Possibly a new IPhone to go with your new HPP digs? If not, I want at least one of what you're drinking.

[Bob Orts]

Naw, it's probably just the VOG (Very Old Gin)

[Kelena]

Thanks everyone. I have a keyboard now, and am no longer typing on a cell phone. Prepare to be shocked...no, wait. Let me phrase that another way...prepare to be surprised: The pump IS in the tank. Took pictures of it yesterday. They tell me that this is VERY unconventional, but that it does happen, and that these so-called "sump pumps" are very long lasting and, of course, very quiet, because they are surrounded by 11,000 gallons of water and, in my case, by a very large underground concrete (gunnite?) tank.

Freaks me out no end, but you all know how anything that would be out of place in a Southern California subdivision tends to make me scream like Homer Simpson, pull my hair and run......toward the burning lava that is heading down Maku'u.

But the pump is in the tank. I'm sure there was a good reason for it at the time. There is a pressure tank OUTSIDE the tank, and that little sucker pressurizes the HELL out of that place (walk in shower with three nozzles blasting). Uh, what it seems to lack is A FILTER OF ANY KIND (John will think this is hilarious!). So, that goes on this weekend, if all goes well.

I keep checking my skin for lesions. Then I just look up at the sky, see that red glow and remember, this could all be moot really quickly! So less lilikoi, more tequila, and nice big fat keyboards, forever!

[emorata]

having a gunnite tank is a good thing..someone spent some bucks to put that in...putting a filtration system is an inexpensive investment compared to the cost of that tank so consider yourself lucky that your added expense will be nominal...by the way have you been working with my friend Dan the handyman....hopefully its working out well.

also, come up to our out of state punaweb party in september if you can make it to the bay area...i'm sure thats a quite a few of us up here that would love to meet you...

best,

noel

[JerryCarr]

I'm glad you got it all sorted out. What I can't understand is why the guy who built the place would put in such an excellent (and expensive) system with no filter at all. Maybe it was because he didn't want anything to interfere with those abrasion causing needle showers! LOL

Cheers,
Jerry

[Kelena]

It's pretty puzzling, Jerry. The property is like an amusement park. Everything is very high quality, and pretty tricked out. The house had two owners. The first was a genius, who took things gradually. The second occupant/owner enhanced things as well, but, toward the end, developed some highly eccentric ideas. A pump in the tank is much quieter, so it is possible that this was put in by the second owner/occupant and that he surmised that rainwater was pure water. I was gifted with all the plans and permits procured by the first owner. All I am left with by the second owner/occupant (there were two owners, but only the husband occupied the premises) is the handiwork. No papers. But you can tell the mind of the two owners, somewhat, by their works. The first owner was practical, detailed oriented and understated. The second owner/occupant tended toward ostentation and innovation, without concern for practical effects.

I think the sump pump was put in by the second owner/occupant, but will probably never know for sure. It just seems more his style.

Third owners are putting in a 20 micron filter, a 5 micron charcoal filter, and a huge, can't miss light, once Steve gets around to it!!

[Kelena]

Okay, I'm sure you are all past the point of caring, but here is the skinny on my pump. It is definetely in the tank. It is slender, and very long and has a big fat wire that comes out of it. The wire is very well insulated. The water line going out of the tank leads to a very curious, squat, silver-colored tank-like device that my plumber swears up and down is a filter -- but no filter like he has ever seen. The top comes off, but not easily. It has a lip around it. It also appears to have a pressure gauge, but it is NOT a pressure tank. The water continues on to TWO big fat black pressure tanks.

Anyway, no one could figure out the "filter" and so we ended up adding a 20 micron filter, a 5 micron filter and a very long UV filter.

Someday, I will need to open that first filter, though and see what is in there (although my plumber just recommends I bypass it altogether.)

If you have heard of such a thing, let me know. I have a picture, but it is really, shaky. This so-called filter looks like a little pressure tank to me, but the plumber says no.

[Bob Orts]

Go to some of the RV supply house websites and look to see if you can find it there. It may have been a filtration system designed for a big camper and includes the combo pressure tank & filter along with a second combo filter & water softner, all in a single metal housing. Just a wild guess.

[Kelena]

Wow. Thanks Bob. You may have SOLVED THE MYSTERY! This silver tank looks suspiciously similar to a reverse osmosis tank used on an RV!

Good God.I had reverse osmosis, and now I am filitering that. What does that give me? Super-over-filtered reversified, osmosified H2o?



Edited by - glen on 09/04/2007 13:14:26

[Carey]

Glen, The top coming off....we never had an RO that had that. It almost sounds like a well filter. Does it look anything like this?
http://www.morrillinc.com/m_otter.aspx



Edited by - Carey on 09/04/2007 13:25:18