What intake hose for water pump?

[elehman]

I'd like to hand-pump water out of a lake, and I'm wondering what sort of hose to use.

I could use an ordinary garden hose, but I think something with larger diameter-- maybe an inch?-- would let the water flow more easily, making the pumping job easier.

The water will be used for washing dishes and occasional bathing, so I'd prefer the hose not leak nasty chemicals into the water.

I'd sure appreciate suggestions, if you've got them!

[Rectifier]

There is a ribbed sort of green hose available from 1"+. Just ask for "suction hose".
This hose won't collapse. Most other hose will cave in under suction pressure and is worse than useless.
Remember the max suction lift: 25'
Even approaching this with a hand pump will not be fun. Hand pumps tend to work much better in compression than suction. Your are best to pump down by the lake upwards rather than trying to suck the water up to any height.

Personally I would get a gas pump and an elevated cistern tank. If you size things right, you will only have to run the pump once a week for 15 minutes to get a month's worth of hand pumped water. Centrifugal gas pumps can be had for as low as $100 on sale, which is similar to what you pay for the hand pump!

[elehman]

Aha! "suction hose" was the magic phrase. Looks like Apache makes just the stuff. I felt sure a product like this must exist, but without knowing the name I couldn't find it.

Thank you for the other advice as well. We'll keep the pump down by the lake and mostly push the water uphill. A gas pump may be more practical. I'll think it over.

Thanks again.

[fishhead]

I use 1 1/4" black polypipe for my electric garden pump. The pump sucks it 200+' (horizontal) from the lake and then pushes it back down 150' to the garden. Total lift is only about 10'.

Polypipe is cheaper than garden hose and is a larger diameter for the price. http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/ite...4084&catid=568