How to Choose a Jet Pump and Tank That Work as One System

Walt Brenner 14 August 2026 · 24 min read

A shallow well pump with pressure tank should be selected as a system—not as a pump, tank, switch, and collection of fittings that merely share a pipe.

Horsepower does not establish how much water a pump will deliver at the required lift and pressure. Maximum GPM does not describe performance at a normal household operating point. Likewise, a tank’s nominal gallon label does not tell you how much water it supplies between pump starts.

A sound preliminary selection begins with six facts:

Pumping water level under demand
Required flow and service pressure
Source recovery rate
Suction and discharge piping losses
Available electrical supply
Usable pressure-tank drawdown at the intended switch setting

Once those are known, you can evaluate the pump curve, tank drawdown table, controls, valves, plumbing, and electrical requirements as one design.

This guide is a screening and comparison framework, not a substitute for model-specific manuals, pump curves, tank technical data, applicable local requirements, or qualified installation. Product specifications below are attributed to their manufacturers or sellers and have not been independently tested.

Start Here: Is a Shallow-Well Pump-and-Tank System the Right Design?

A shallow-well jet pump is normally installed above ground. It draws water through one suction pipe, pressurizes it, and sends it to a pressure tank and distribution plumbing.

That one-pipe arrangement distinguishes it from a deep-well jet system, which places an ejector down the well and uses two pipes. A submersible pump sits below the water level and pushes water upward instead of drawing it by suction. Jet pumps also require priming, whereas a normally installed submersible remains underwater. These configurations are summarized in this jet-pump and submersible-pump comparison.

The recurring “25-foot shallow-well limit” needs careful interpretation. It refers approximately to the vertical distance from the pump to the water level—not the total drilled depth of the well. Little Giant, for example, describes one shallow-well package for installations where that vertical distance is no more than 25 feet. That is a manufacturer’s product guideline, not a guarantee that every pump will achieve the same lift under every site condition. Little Giant’s system specifications define the distance in this way.

These measurements are not interchangeable:

Ground / pump elevation
──────────────────────────────────────────
        [Above-ground jet pump]
                   │
                   │  Vertical suction lift
                   │  Measure to the actual water level
                   │
Well casing        │
┌──────────────────┼─────────────────────┐
│                  │                     │
│  Static water level ────────────────   │  Water level at rest
│                  │                     │
│                  │                     │
│  Pumping water level ───────────────   │  Lower level while pumping
│                  │                     │
│                  ▼                     │
│              Foot valve                │
│                                        │
│                                        │
│  Bottom of well ────────────────────   │
└────────────────────────────────────────┘
        Total well depth
        Ground surface to well bottom

Total well depth is the distance from the surface to the bottom of the well.
Static water level is where the water stands after it has recovered and no water is being pumped.
Pumping water level is where the water settles while the pump supplies a defined demand.
Vertical suction lift is the elevation difference between the pump and the water level from which it is drawing.

Pumping water level is usually the more consequential selection input. A well could have a static level 15 feet below the pump but fall to 23 feet while supplying water. Designing from the 15-foot measurement alone would overstate the available suction margin.

Treat approximately 25 feet as an upper screening guideline, not promised installed capability. Practical lift can be reduced by site elevation, pipe friction, elbows, valves, suction restrictions, air leaks, and the design of the particular pump. A long nominally horizontal suction run does not add vertical lift foot for foot, but its friction and fittings still increase the load on the pump.

Evaluate a submersible pump when:

Pumping water level approaches or exceeds the jet pump’s practical suction capability.
Water demand leaves little operating margin for a shallow-well package.
The suction run is long or difficult to keep airtight.
Priming is likely to be troublesome.
No suitable dry, accessible, freeze-protected equipment location exists above ground.
Seasonal water-level changes could make a shallow-well design marginal.

Shallow-well jet systems are also marketed for cisterns, rain tanks, lakes, and other unpressurized sources. That does not establish that every source is legal, sanitary, or suitable for household use.

How the Pump, Tank, Switch, and Check Valve Work Together

Understanding one complete operating cycle makes pump and tank specifications easier to evaluate.

A fixture opens. Water initially comes from the pressure tank, where compressed air maintains pressure on the stored water.
System pressure falls. As usable water leaves the tank, pressure approaches the switch’s cut-in setting.
The pressure switch starts the pump. The switch responds to water pressure; the tank bladder or diaphragm does not independently send a start signal.
The pump supplies water. If demand is below pump output at the current operating condition, the remaining capacity begins refilling the tank.
Demand falls or stops. The pump continues filling the tank and compressing its air cushion.
Pressure reaches cut-out. The pressure switch opens the motor circuit and stops the pump.

A factory 30/50 PSI switch provides a documented example: the pump starts near 30 PSI and stops near 50 PSI. Both the Little Giant package and the seller listing for the Tuhorse package use that range. It is an example, not a recommendation for every pump, tank, building, or plumbing system.

The pressure tank is a buffer. It supplies a limited amount of water between pump cycles, moderates service within the switch range, and prevents the motor from starting for every glass of water or brief toilet refill.

It does not:

Increase the pump’s maximum pressure
Increase the pump’s maximum flow
Make the pump deliver maximum GPM at all pressures
Increase the source’s recovery rate
Correct excessive suction lift
Eliminate pressure loss from restrictive plumbing

A foot valve or check valve prevents reverse flow toward the source and helps retain the water column needed to hold prime. Depending on the design, that valve may be at the source end of the suction pipe or in another manufacturer-specified location. A package may include it, require it separately, or use a different approved arrangement.

Short cycling means repeated starts and stops with an abnormally short cycle duration. It is a symptom worth investigating because possible causes include inadequate drawdown, incorrect precharge, tank damage, leakage, restrictions, switch problems, or a pump-and-tank mismatch. Sound alone is not a diagnosis: time the cycle, observe pressure, and compare the results with the applicable manuals.

Size the Pump From Real Operating Conditions, Not Horsepower Alone

Pump sizing begins with an operating condition: the flow the system must deliver at the pressure, elevation, suction lift, and resistance it must overcome. Horsepower is only a motor rating. Pumps with the same horsepower can have different impellers, jet assemblies, pressure capabilities, and performance curves.

Buyer worksheet

Record these values before comparing models:

Input	Measured or required value	How it affects selection
Total well depth		Describes the well, but not suction lift by itself
Static water level		Establishes the resting source condition
Pumping water level		Establishes suction lift under demand
Seasonal low water level		Tests the least favorable expected source condition
Source recovery rate		Limits sustainable withdrawal
Pump elevation		Provides a reference for suction and discharge rise
Vertical rise after the pump		Adds discharge head
Desired cut-in/cut-out range		Establishes the operating pressure range
Peak simultaneous demand		Establishes the required flow
Suction-pipe length and diameter		Affect friction and priming difficulty
Suction fittings and valves		Add restriction and possible leak points
Discharge-pipe length and diameter		Affect pressure loss
Discharge fittings, filters, and controls		Add resistance
Available voltage and phase		Must match the motor configuration

Required pump performance combines:

Vertical suction lift to the pumping water level
Vertical discharge elevation after the pump
Desired service pressure
Friction through suction and discharge piping
Losses through fittings, filters, treatment equipment, and controls

Follow the calculation method and units used by the candidate manufacturer. Then check the pump curve rather than relying on a headline rating.

A purchase-stage evaluation should answer more than whether the curve crosses one nominal point. It should verify:

Delivered flow at the required demand and service pressure
Performance at the least favorable expected pumping water level
Ability to reach the selected cut-out pressure after demand falls
Compliance with manufacturer-defined operating, duty, and cycling limits
Adequate margin rather than operation at the edge of the published curve

Peak demand is not daily consumption

A property could use a modest amount over 24 hours yet have a demanding interval when a shower, washing machine, livestock trough, or irrigation zone operates at the same time. Conversely, adding every fixture’s theoretical maximum can substantially overstate realistic simultaneous use.

Create a credible peak-use scenario:

Which uses may genuinely overlap?
Which fixture or irrigation flow is essential?
Can large uses be scheduled separately?
Must pressure remain acceptable at the highest or most distant outlet?
Is storage available for brief demand above source recovery?

Do not assume a larger pump is automatically safer. A pump that greatly exceeds normal demand can refill a small tank quickly and may start more frequently unless the tank and controls are matched to it.

Source recovery sets a separate limit

A pump cannot sustainably deliver more water than the source can provide.

A higher-capacity pump does not repair a low-yield source. Depending on the site, the system may instead need controlled demand, additional storage, low-water protection, or another source strategy.

Do not combine separate maximum ratings

Maximum flow, maximum head, and maximum suction lift normally describe different endpoints:

Maximum flow is generally stated at low resistance.
Maximum head occurs near zero flow.
Maximum suction lift is a separate installation limitation.

For example, the Tuhorse seller separately lists 16.1 GPM maximum flow, 164 feet maximum head, and 25 feet maximum suction lift for the THJ16-160. Those figures do not establish that the pump will deliver 16.1 GPM while simultaneously operating at 164 feet of head and 25 feet of suction lift. Only a valid pump curve can show flow at a defined operating condition on the seller’s THJ16-160 product listing.

A defensible model-comparison process

For each candidate:

Calculate or conservatively estimate the required demand condition using the manufacturer’s method.
Locate that condition on the correct curve for the voltage, frequency, impeller, and jet configuration.
Check performance at the expected range of pumping water levels.
Verify acceptable flow and pressure while the intended demand is operating.
Confirm that the pump can reach the selected cut-out pressure after demand falls.
Retain reasonable design margin rather than selecting at the edge of the curve.
Compare expected withdrawal with source recovery.
Verify motor duty, runtime guidance, and permitted starts per hour.
Confirm suction and discharge port sizes.
Confirm voltage, phase, current, and connection requirements.
Reject models whose curves or essential operating instructions cannot be obtained.

There is no defensible universal household GPM or horsepower recommendation without these inputs. Because the evidence available for the example packages does not include comparable curves, they cannot be carried through to a purchase-ready model decision here.

Choose the Pressure Tank by Drawdown and Pump Runtime

A tank labeled 6, 14, or 36 gallons does not deliver that full volume between cut-in and cut-out. The label normally describes nominal internal volume. Part of that volume is occupied by compressed air, and water remains in the tank throughout the operating cycle.

Usable drawdown is the amount of water delivered as pressure falls from cut-out to cut-in. It varies with:

Tank model and internal design
Nominal tank volume
Pressure-switch range
Air precharge
Condition of the bladder or diaphragm

Obtain the manufacturer’s drawdown table for the exact tank and intended pressure range. A retailer’s nominal gallon label—or an estimate from another tank—cannot establish usable drawdown.

Drawdown worksheet

As a preliminary screening concept:

Pump flow at the relevant operating condition × manufacturer-required minimum runtime = preliminary minimum drawdown target

This is not a complete or universal tank-sizing rule. It cannot produce a purchase-ready tank size until the pump manufacturer’s accepted runtime or starts-per-hour method and the tank manufacturer’s drawdown table are available.

Item	Value
Pump flow at the relevant operating condition	___ GPM
Manufacturer’s required minimum runtime	___ minutes
Preliminary minimum drawdown target	___ gallons
Selected pressure range	___ / ___ PSI
Tank’s documented drawdown at that range	___ gallons
Manufacturer’s permitted starts per hour	___
Pump manual and revision	___
Tank model and drawdown-table reference	___

Use delivered flow at the applicable operating condition—not unrestricted maximum flow. If the pump or tank manufacturer specifies another sizing method, follow that method instead.

Compact package tanks save floor space and reduce assembly work. Their smaller drawdown may, however, permit more frequent starts than a correctly selected larger standalone tank. A separate tank provides more flexibility in capacity and location but adds plumbing and component-selection work.

A larger tank can reduce start frequency when correctly matched. It cannot correct:

A pump that cannot reach cut-out pressure
Excessive suction lift
A suction-side air leak
Blocked or undersized pipe
Inadequate source recovery
A worn or obstructed pump
Incorrect motor configuration

Setting tank precharge

One published setup rule is to set empty-tank air precharge approximately 2 PSI below pressure-switch cut-in. For a 30/50 PSI switch, that gives an example precharge of 28 PSI. The check must be made with electrical power isolated, water pressure relieved, and the water side fully drained; the exact procedure and setting remain subject to the tank and switch manuals. These conditions and the 28 PSI example appear in this shallow-well installation and precharge guide.

Do not measure precharge while the tank remains under water pressure; that is not the empty-tank air charge. Do not change cut-in, cut-out, or precharge simply to pursue stronger pressure. First confirm pump capability, tank pressure rating, plumbing limits, switch instructions, and all applicable manuals.

Complete Package or Separate Pump and Tank?

A factory package can simplify purchasing. The pump, tank, switch, frame, and some plumbing may already be assembled. That reduces layout decisions and can suit a compact replacement.

Separate components provide more control. You can choose a larger tank, a different approved switch range, a service-friendly layout, or a pump whose curve better matches the required operating conditions.

Neither approach is automatically better. A convenient package remains unsuitable if the pump cannot meet the required condition, cannot reach cut-out, or is paired with too little drawdown for its cycling limits.

Retail categories can complicate comparison because they may mix:

Complete shallow-well pump-and-tank packages
Standalone shallow-well pumps
Convertible or deep-well jet pumps
Standalone pressure tanks
Booster systems
In-line tanks
Miscategorized products

Retail catalogs display 1/2, 3/4, and 1 HP pumps, packages with 6- and 14-gallon nominal tanks, and standalone tanks in horizontal, vertical, and in-line formats. Those listings demonstrate available formats, not suitability for a particular well. One such retailer catalog mixes packages, pumps, submersibles, and several tank formats.

Transparent comparison checklist

The table below shows how much can remain unresolved even when a product page appears detailed. The Little Giant column contains manufacturer-reported data; the Tuhorse column contains seller-reported data that has not been independently verified.

Comparison field	Little Giant LGS-75/RL14AH	Tuhorse THJ16-160
Reporting basis	Manufacturer-reported	Seller-reported; not independently verified
Pump horsepower	3/4 HP	1 HP
Voltage	Configurable 115/230 VAC	115 V
Nominal tank volume	14 gallons	6.3 gallons
Documented drawdown	Not supplied on cited page	Not supplied on cited page
Switch setting	Factory 30/50 PSI	Default 30/50 PSI
Pump curve	Not established by cited page	Not established by cited page
Suction port	1-1/4 in. FNPT	1.25 in.
Pump discharge	1 in. FNPT	1 in.
Tank discharge	3/4 in.	Not established by cited page
Pressure gauge	Included	Not established by cited page
Foot or check valve	Foot valve included	Not included or built in; seller says one is needed in most applications
Cord or plug	Connection method must be confirmed	Cord and three-prong plug listed
Pump materials	Cast-iron jet pump	Cast-iron housing and plastic impeller
Tank materials	Steel tank, butyl diaphragm, polypropylene liner	Not fully documented
Certification scope	Manufacturer reports tank material and lead-free certifications separately from pump electrical-safety and lead-free certifications	Seller represents product as UL Listed; scope not independently verified
Warranty	Not supplied on cited page	Not established by cited page
Important missing information	Drawdown, curve, warranty, runtime and starts-per-hour limits	Drawdown, verified curve, warranty, certification record, cycling limits, consistent weight data

Little Giant’s certification language is component-specific. The manufacturer reports material-safety and lead-free certifications for the tank and separately reports electrical-safety and lead-free certifications for the pump. That wording should not be expanded into a claim that every certification covers the complete assembled package.

The Tuhorse page gives inconsistent weight figures and does not provide independently verified performance, reliability, certification, drawdown, or cycling evidence. The two examples therefore should not be ranked. Horsepower and nominal tank volume cannot fill the missing technical gaps.

Prices, rebates, stock, review scores, and localized availability change too frequently to serve as durable selection evidence. Compare total installed cost—including valves, fittings, wiring, freeze protection, and any qualified labor—not package price alone.

What Must Be Included in the Installed System?

“Complete system” is a marketing description, not a reliable inventory. Before ordering, place every required component into one of three columns: included, separately required, or not yet determined.

Functional component inventory

Jet pump
Pressure tank
Pressure switch
Pressure gauge
Foot valve or check valve
Airtight suction pipe
Discharge plumbing
Correctly sized adapters and fittings
Thread sealant compatible with the piping and service
Tank connection hardware
Drain or service connection
Electrical supply compatible with the motor
Grounding and an appropriate disconnecting method
Freeze and weather protection
Supports, anchors, or mounting base
Source-appropriate intake protection

Some installations use a tank tee, hose bib, relief valve, specialized disconnect, or additional controls. Whether these are required—and which types or ratings apply—depends on the equipment instructions, installation layout, equipment ratings, and applicable plumbing, well, and electrical requirements. A package photograph cannot answer that question.

Suction plumbing deserves special attention

The suction pipe should generally be at least as large as the pump’s suction port unless the manufacturer specifies another design. Reducing it adds restriction. Unnecessary elbows, valves, and adapters also increase friction and create more possible leak points.

Every suction-side joint must be airtight. A small opening can admit air while the pump is running even when no water visibly leaks after shutdown. Possible results include difficult priming, bubbles, unstable pressure, reduced flow, and lost prime.

The valve used to retain prime must be compatible with the source and installed in the location and orientation specified by the pump manual. A foot valve at the source and a check valve nearer the pump are not automatically interchangeable in every installation.

Check every connection size

Do not assume a packaged assembly uses one uniform pipe size. The Little Giant package, for example, lists a 1-1/4-inch pump intake, 1-inch pump discharge, and 3/4-inch tank discharge, as documented on the manufacturer page linked in the comparison table.

Verify:

Pump suction connection
Pump discharge connection
Tank connection
Pressure-switch sensing connection
Gauge connection
Building supply connection
Valve connection and flow direction
Thread standard and gender
Pipe material compatibility

Confirm electrical configuration

Some dual-voltage motors require a selector or internal lead arrangement to match the supply. The documented Little Giant motor supports 115 or 230 VAC and must be configured, whereas the Tuhorse example is seller-listed for 115 V with a plug.

Consult the nameplate and model manual for voltage, phase, circuit, conductor, overcurrent protection, grounding, disconnect, and connection requirements. Applicable rules vary by location. Live electrical work should be left to a licensed electrician when the installer lacks the necessary training or authorization.

Installation and Commissioning Checks That Prevent Common Failures

This checklist supplements the pump, tank, and switch manuals. It is not a replacement for those documents or for qualified trade work.

Before installation

Confirm static and pumping water levels.
Verify practical suction-lift margin.
Compare source recovery with expected withdrawal.
Check the pump curve at the required demand condition.
Confirm that the pump can reach the selected cut-out pressure.
Obtain the tank drawdown table.
Confirm the pressure-switch range.
Inventory included and missing parts.
Verify every port size and thread type.
Confirm electrical supply and motor configuration.
Plan drainage, service clearance, and freeze protection.

Mount the above-ground pump on a solid, level base near the source while preserving access to the motor, switch, gauge, priming port, valves, and tank. Keep the equipment dry and protect it from freezing and weather.

Before adding power, verify:

Suction-pipe diameter
Suction-run length and fittings
Valve direction and location
Airtight joints
Discharge layout
Tank connection
Gauge and switch sensing arrangement
Startup valve positions specified by the manual
Pumping-level design margin

Electrical checks

Read the pump nameplate and manual rather than relying on packaging or the previous installation. Confirm:

Supply voltage and phase
Motor selector or lead arrangement
Circuit suitability
Grounding
Disconnecting method
Applicable local requirements

Do not assume a replacement motor is configured like the old one. The available installation guidance specifically advises checking incoming voltage, selector settings, conductor sizing, grounding, local requirements, and the product manual before startup. Use a licensed electrician where the installer is not qualified to perform the work safely.

Tank and priming checks

Check tank precharge only after isolating electrical power, relieving water pressure, and completely draining the water side. Compare the result with the tank and switch instructions.

A jet pump must be primed. Fill the pump housing and as much of the suction line as the model manual directs. Do not start it dry. If water does not begin flowing within the manual’s permitted initial-priming interval, stop the pump instead of allowing prolonged dry operation. Recheck the water level, valve operation, suction joints, pump filling, and model-specific procedure. The seller-authored installation guide expressly warns against dry starting and describes filling the housing and suction line before startup.

Commissioning observations

After successful startup, do more than confirm that water reaches a faucet. Record:

Actual cut-in pressure
Actual cut-out pressure
Time from cut-in to cut-out under controlled conditions
Delivered flow under a known demand
Pressure while that demand is operating
Whether the pump holds prime after shutdown
Any air discharge, vibration, leakage, or irregular switch behavior
Pumping water level, if it can be measured safely during operation

A commissioning record provides a baseline for later troubleshooting.

Commissioning item	Recorded value
Pump manufacturer and model
Tank manufacturer and model
Pump serial number
Tank serial number
Supply voltage and phase
Motor selector or connection setting
Empty-tank precharge
Pressure-switch range
Observed cut-in
Observed cut-out
Cycle duration and test condition
Delivered flow and test condition
Static water level
Pumping water level and test demand
Suction-pipe size and length
Discharge-pipe size
Foot/check-valve type and location
Manual revision or URL
Warranty record location
Installation and test date

Troubleshooting Short Cycling, Lost Prime, and Low Pressure

Troubleshooting should begin with measurements, not immediate component replacement. Isolate electrical power and relieve water pressure before opening plumbing, checking tank precharge, or inspecting controls. Leave live electrical testing, damaged pressure tanks, uncertain controls, and code-dependent repairs to qualified personnel.

Symptom	Initial observations and checks	What not to assume
Rapid cycling	Time the cycle; record cut-in and cut-out; check drained-tank precharge; inspect for tank problems, leaks, restrictions, and switch-sensing trouble; compare pump output with documented drawdown	Do not assume the switch or tank automatically needs replacement
Loses prime after shutdown	Check foot/check-valve operation and location, loose fittings, suction leaks, seals, pipe damage, and water level	Do not assume a larger tank will hold prime
Will not draw water	Verify pump and suction-line filling, valve direction, source level, practical suction lift, frozen piping, and airtight joints	Do not continue running the pump dry
Low pressure while flowing	Check the curve at actual lift, pumping water level, suction restriction, clogged or undersized piping, and motor configuration	Do not judge capacity from horsepower alone
Will not reach cut-out	Separate active demand from inadequate pump pressure; check the operating condition, source level, restrictions, voltage setting, and switch operation	Do not raise cut-out without confirming equipment ratings
Runs continuously	Determine whether demand equals or exceeds delivered pump flow or whether the pump cannot build cut-out pressure	Do not assume every continuous run has one universal cause
Air at fixtures	Look for suction-side air entry, falling water level, incomplete priming, or intake disturbance	Do not rely only on visible water leakage
Pressure falls with no use	Check plumbing leakage, reverse flow, valves, tank condition, and gauge accuracy	Do not diagnose from the switch alone

Rapid cycling

First record cycle duration and pressure behavior. Then check:

Precharge using the correct drained-tank procedure
Bladder or diaphragm condition
Plumbing leakage
Switch sensing and operation
Suction or discharge restrictions
Pump output relative to documented tank drawdown
Whether the tank satisfies the pump manufacturer’s cycling limits

A larger, correctly selected tank may reduce start frequency. It will not repair a worn pump, leaking suction line, faulty control, or damaged bladder.

Lost prime or failure to draw water

Check whether the current water level remains within practical suction capability. Confirm that the pump housing and required portion of the suction line are full. Inspect the foot or check valve, loose fittings, pipe joints, seals, and possible freezing damage.

A suction leak can be difficult to see because an operating pump draws air inward. Any pressure testing or other diagnostic procedure must follow the pipe and pump manufacturers’ instructions.

Low pressure or failure to reach cut-out

Compare the actual operating condition with the pump curve. Recheck:

Pumping water level under current demand
Discharge elevation
Service-pressure target
Pipe friction
Clogged filters or fittings
Undersized piping
Motor voltage configuration
Switch calibration and operation
Pump wear or obstruction

If a pump can reach only 45 PSI at the actual operating condition, installing a larger tank will not make it reach a 50 PSI cut-out.

Continuous running

Distinguish those cases using flow, pressure, water-level, and electrical observations. Do not replace the switch, tank, or pump without establishing the cause.

Frequently Asked Questions

How deep can a shallow-well pump lift water?

Approximately 25 vertical feet from the pump to the water level is a common shallow-well screening guideline, but it is not guaranteed capability. Measure to the pumping water level—not the bottom of the well—and account for elevation, pipe friction, fittings, restrictions, air leaks, and the pump’s design.

If pumping water level approaches that practical limit, check the model curve and manual and evaluate a submersible or another suitable design.

What pressure-tank precharge should I use with a 30/50 PSI switch?

One commonly published rule is approximately 2 PSI below cut-in, giving 28 PSI for a 30/50 PSI switch. Confirm the exact procedure and setting in the tank, pump, and switch manuals.

Measure or adjust precharge only with electrical power isolated, water pressure relieved, and the tank’s water side completely drained. A reading taken while the tank contains pressurized water is not the empty-tank precharge.

Will a larger pressure tank increase water pressure or pump flow?

No. A larger tank can provide more usable drawdown and reduce pump starts when correctly selected, but it does not increase the pump’s maximum pressure or flow. It also cannot increase source recovery.

Delivered pressure and flow depend on the pump curve, suction lift, discharge elevation, plumbing losses, source conditions, and controls.

Do I need a foot valve or check valve with a shallow-well jet pump?

A shallow-well jet system generally needs a compatible means of preventing reverse flow and retaining the water column used to hold prime. This is commonly a foot valve or check valve, but the correct type and location depend on the source, pump design, and manufacturer’s instructions.

Do not assume the valve is included. Some packages include a foot valve; others require one to be purchased separately.

When should I consider a submersible pump instead?

Evaluate a submersible pump when pumping water level is near or beyond practical suction capability, demand is high, the suction run is long, priming is unreliable, or no suitable protected location exists for an above-ground pump.

A submersible also deserves consideration when seasonal water-level changes leave too little margin for a shallow-well jet design. Compare complete systems—including curves, source recovery, controls, serviceability, installation requirements, and total installed cost—rather than choosing solely by total well depth.

Final purchase gate

Do not order a system until:

Pumping water level is known.
Peak simultaneous demand is defined.
Desired service pressure and switch range are defined.
Source recovery is known or conservatively established.
Suction and discharge layouts are documented.
Available voltage and phase are confirmed.
The pump curve shows adequate flow at the required demand condition.
The pump can reach the intended cut-out pressure under the expected site conditions.
Expected water-level variation remains within the pump’s operating envelope.
Tank drawdown meets the manufacturer’s runtime or cycling guidance.
Required valves, controls, fittings, safety provisions, and electrical details have been checked against the manuals and applicable local requirements.

A complete package can simplify assembly. Only a system-level match makes it suitable.