How to set / install submersion pump to reach more water?

[meanwhile]

This is follow up to our earlier threads re our spring/well/pump, etc. projects.

Question One:
We have one water holding tank, 500 gallons, with submersion pump down in the tank. There is a built in "sleeve" in the tank to hold the pump. Because the NEW pump we bought is longer than the broken one (the tank was custom built for former owner) we are not able to pump out as much water.....since the "in" hole for the pump, is up higher in the water level.

Can we lay the pump on its side down in the tank?

A neighbor told us he once laid a pump on its side, set inside a cement block to hold it down. But, when we asked how did he keep the electric wires OUT of the water, he said he did not......however that seems to be a potential electric danger and I would prefer a safer method.

Question Two:
We are currently setting up a 2nd tank system. This tank is 1200 gallons. It does not have the built in "sleeve" to hold the water pump. How do you set the pump down in the tank and make it stay still? Is there a holding "thing" to buy? How could we make one? Can the pump be set on its side? And then the same question as above, how do we keep the electric wiring out of the water?

Can anyone send us to a web site that shows pictures of "how to" set up the pump and wires?

Thank you for any information and ideas.

[The Paw]

I think it depends a lot on the type of pump you have. I would start by reading the manual (which you should still have since it is new) and/or going to the manufacturer website.

I don't know if there is a reason not to turn it on its side, but my instinct would be to have it operate upright unless the manufacturer told me it could work lying sideways.

In general, submersible pumps are sealed where the wiring enters the housing, and it is not a problem for the factory wiring to go under water. Of course, you don't want any connections getting wet.

I have a submersible that sits in my sump pit, and it is a heavy cast iron and doesn't need to be bolted or clamped to anything. But it probably isn't as large as your pump. If I had to, I would clamp it to a cement block and let it sit on the bottom.

[farminghandyman]

If your not pumping any down (suction) distance just use a external jet pump, and put the pick up pipe where ever you want it to be, that is all I use on my storage tank.

motor is out side of the tank wires are out, and no worry about if it can be safely used on it side, or worrying about over heating of the pump motor in low water conditions.

I do not see why you could not lay down the pump on its side and there are kits to seal up the wires, (if your using a true well submersible) the wires are in the water by design,( good bad or ugly), if your using some type of sump pump that is submersible that may be a different situation, but still using good conections and some good adhesive lined heat shrink tubing and then one over all the invisible splices should seal it up,

[meanwhile]

Hello -- it is a true submersible pump, 1 horse power and sets down in the 550 gallon tank. Trouble is that it is tall and we can only pump 2/3 of the water from the tank, thus loosing use of approx 181 gallons of water.

Good idea to check the web site but so far, I cannot find the site! It is a Shur-Dri pump from Tractor Supply but when we go to the site listed on the label, it takes us to Myers Pumps and we cannot find our pump on that site. I have sent e-mail to their customer support and maybe they will answer us.

When we set up the 2nd system, I think an external jet pump.....or some other pump on the outside of the tank will work better and since we are doing the work ourselves, then safer.

Thanks.