All submersible pumps are not made equal. Let me give you a few important points to look out for and then I shall discuss the various pumps available.
1. The first point is what sort of capacity does your pump need to be? How many GPH does it need to be able to pump to meet your requirements? This is a very important aspect, as this pump capacity can immediately rule out certain pumps.
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2. The second point is that you should purchase the 1¼” adapter kit with the pump. Trying to use a 5/8” garden hose can severely limit a pump’s performance.
3. Another thing to look out for is the head specified for the pump. This is to what height the pump must be able to lift the water. Please note in practice that using a pump at its specified head limit can also reduce the flow possible from the pump. This aspect is particularly important if you are going to use it to pump water from a well.
4. Both the head and a smaller hose can strain a motor.
5. Are you going to run the motor continuously or not? Some pumps behave well if used intermittently, but overheat and burn out with continuous use; others are fine if in continuous operation.
6. The depth of water required for the pump to work is also important. Some pumps are claimed to be effective if they are only 1/8” below the surface. Others require a much greater depth of water to operate. How critical is it if the pump runs dry in operation. Some eco-friendly oilless pumps depend on the water for lubrication and a short time running dry can lead to them burning out.
7. Will the pump be used in fresh water or sea or brackish water. You might need to consider a marine pump if your needs justify it.
8. Is the pump going to be used in a very restricted space? You might need to pay special attention to its shape and dimensions, to be sure that it will fit. A pump which is too bulky, no matter how good it might otherwise be, just won’t do the job.
9. What sort of warranty comes with the submersible pump? Is the manufacturer or supplier likely to honor the warranty?
10. Will you need additional items like a float switch or sump pump alarm and flood alert? Some pumps come standard with a tethered float switch.
11. What amperage does it draw? Be careful not o overload 15A household circuits.
12. How clean is the water to be pumped? Some pumps can handle objects such as sticks or stones up to a certain size while others will only work if the water is clean of any such objects
Overall it is a good idea to purchase a submersible pump which is a bit more powerful than you think you need, particularly when you are considering a cheap pump. The additional cost for a better specification would still leave the pump costing far less than expensive competitors.
Two popular pumps which are very reasonably priced are Superior Pumps and Wayne Pumps. Both these companies offer a range of different pumps to meet every need. Most of their pumps are made from corrosion resistant plastic, but I would still be wary of using them in Salt-water conditions. A good idea before buying any submersible pump is to check online for any reviews by people who’ve actually used the pumps in practice. There is nothing to beat an honest review by someone who has actually used the equipment in practice. Particularly important here are negative reviews. Look for the reasons why the submersible pump failed. You’ll often find that an inadequate pump for the job was bought, but sometimes there is some criticism that a manufacturer (Wayne) failed to honor the warranty because the submersible pump was used continuously, even though it stated on their website that the pump was suitable for continuous use. No mention was made of what was stated in the warranty.
As I’ve said before, these pumps are so reasonably priced it is worth getting a better pump than you think you need. Who needs hassles with warranties and returns to save a few bucks? I would particularly go for a more powerful motor, as long as the amperage would not strain my available power supply.
The variety of pumps available online at a very reasonable price and of very respectable quality to judge by the reviews makes it a cinch to get one to meet your purposes. When finally choosing a submersible pump, do your own research after you have determined your requirements from the guidelines listed above.
Happy hunting.