Sump Pit

[cwsosby]

I have a 16x40 fiberglass Barrier Reef with a 6’9” deep end. There is a 10” sump pit that extends down to the bottom of the deep end. I have a float activated pump in the bottom that runs several times a day (rain, shine, or drought) due to ground water alone.

Is it in my best interest to keep this pit empty, or is it OK to let it stay 1/2 to 3/4 full & pump it down as needed? The water from this pit flows into the water easement & keeps it wet all year. I want to avoid this if possible by not having it run several times a day. Thanks for your input.

 

[JoyfulNoise]

With your pool full of water, the shell floating shouldn’t be an issue when the sump is only half full. However, you don’t want to rely on “I’ll remember to check it to tomorrow” as your method of running the pump. Perhaps you should consider powering the submersible pump using a WiFi switch OR if you have automation system for the pool, tie it into that. Or, if neither of those are an option, then run it on a mechanical timer that can handle a reactive pump load. This way you can schedule to submersible pump to run for a set number of hours each day. That continues to keep the sump clear without constantly running a pump all the time and leaving the water easement soaked.

 

[wgipe]

I had a similar situation. Used a good Zoeller cast iron pump and this switch: HydroCheck Sump Pump Float Switch... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006AU4L4U?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share. Works like a champ and I never have to think about it. I still do pull the lid and make sure it's working once a month or so.

 

[cwsosby]

With your pool full of water, the shell floating shouldn’t be an issue when the sump is only half full. However, you don’t want to rely on “I’ll remember to check it to tomorrow” as your method of running the pump. Perhaps you should consider powering the submersible pump using a WiFi switch OR if you have automation system for the pool, tie it into that. Or, if neither of those are an option, then run it on a mechanical timer that can handle a reactive pump load. This way you can schedule to submersible pump to run for a set number of hours each day. That continues to keep the sump clear without constantly running a pump all the time and leaving the water easement soaked.

Those are great ideas I hadn’t thought of yet. You don’t see any real benefit to keeping the pit completely dry then?

 

[Rich D]

Those are great ideas

Yes they are...

You don’t see any real benefit to keeping the pit completely dry then?

Not at all..

I personally would set up a "float pole" with that recommended sensor. Just fill a 1.5 or 2" pvc pipe with sand or concrete and attach the floats to that so you can easily take out the pole and adjust them without pulling the pump. Then try to find a level (Hopefully only about 1' deep or so) just above where the pump would run constantly. This of course will vary with the seasons. I am also a big fan of exercising the pump. So it would be nice if you could set it up so you can manually run the pump once a month or have a timer that would do that.

 

[JoyfulNoise]

Those are great ideas I hadn’t thought of yet. You don’t see any real benefit to keeping the pit completely dry then?

I don’t see any benefit to trying to keep it completely dry. The pool itself is fine. I don’t know what the ground water level variation is for your yard but I suspect there are times of the year when it’s consistently higher and lower. The suggested pump and sensor in @wgipe ’s post is an excellent choice for keeping the level consistent while allowing you to control the range by simply adjust the high and low sensor points. You’d have to experiment with it a little bit to see what settings get you the desired dryness without excessively running a pump all the time.

 

[cwsosby]

I had a similar situation. Used a good Zoeller cast iron pump and this switch: HydroCheck Sump Pump Float Switch... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006AU4L4U?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share. Works like a champ and I never have to think about it. I still do pull the lid and make sure it's working once a month or so.

I think that switch would work great for my application. Can you manually start the pump from that switch as well if need be?

 

[JoyfulNoise]

I think that switch would work great for my application. Can you manually start the pump from that switch as well if need be?

The product description says it has a “Smart Button” on the side that lets you manually run the pump. So it seems possible assuming it works as described.

 

[cwsosby]

The product description says it has a “Smart Button” on the side that lets you manually run the pump. So it seems possible assuming it works as described.

You are correct, I missed that in the description and initially thought it was just to silence/disable the alarms. This is going to be a great solution to my issue. Thanks again!!

 

[Lanzz]

I have that switch based on a recommendation from this site - it works very well. But the "smart button" must be held down to operate the pump. I have not found a way to schedule the pump or operate it manually, so I am just using the sensor functionality.

 

[cwsosby]

I have that switch based on a recommendation from this site - it works very well. But the "smart button" must be held down to operate the pump. I have not found a way to schedule the pump or operate it manually, so I am just using the sensor functionality.

Good to know. Thanks for the heads up.