Air in well water - gurgling in pressure tank

[Rob R.]

Glad to hear it’s working good. It’s still in the back of my brain, or just installing a tank to make cycle longer.

A bigger (or additional) tank will make the pump cycle less and run longer, but you also have to live with low pressure more - as it takes much long to draw down the tank and make the pump start.

[hotblast1357]

A bigger (or additional) tank will make the pump cycle less and run longer, but you also have to live with low pressure more - as it takes much long to draw down the tank and make the pump start.

I don’t know what I did right with this house, but I have never experienced a low pressure situation here, I was filling the pool last week, with a 3/4 hose straight off the pressure tank, and took a shower and never missed a beat, I’ve been in homes where you flush the toilet and the shower practically dries up. I’m just looking to slow down the cycling.

[grumpy]

I run a 81 gallon tank with pump cycles of almost three minutes.

[Rob R.]

I don’t know what I did right with this house, but I have never experienced a low pressure situation here, I was filling the pool last week, with a 3/4 hose straight off the pressure tank, and took a shower and never missed a beat, I’ve been in homes where you flush the toilet and the shower practically dries up. I’m just looking to slow down the cycling.

Modern houses are typically piped much better than old homes that have had stuff added on. Water treatment is another big consideration. Sediment filters, iron filters, water softeners…they all create pressure drop. My house has all 3 of those systems and probably loses 10-15 psi at moderate flow rates.

[Rob R.]

Today I installed a new tank and cyclestop valve at my mom and dads house. This time I just bought the kit instead of making my own, and after doing it both ways I would suggest just buying the kit.

The static water level in this well is nearly level with the ground, so I got a little wet when changing the orientation of that black pipe and ball valve. It came out nice and works great.

Now I just need to get the old tank out of the basement. It was FULL of water so I just skidded it over to the sump pump hole I drilled a hole in the side.

[grumpy]

I still don't understand what this cycle stop does.

[Rob R.]

In a nutshell, the valve allows the pump to run continuously when you are using water. You get much more stable water pressure and don’t a huge pressure tank.

[grumpy]

I see, but what if your pump supplies more than your using?

[Rob R.]

The valve will throttle the pump output down to 1-2 gpm, if you are using less than that the water just goes into the tank until the pump shuts off.

[grumpy]

Thanks.....

[ColdHouse]

I don’t know what I did right with this house, but I have never experienced a low pressure situation here, I was filling the pool last week, with a 3/4 hose straight off the pressure tank, and took a shower and never missed a beat, I’ve been in homes where you flush the toilet and the shower practically dries up. I’m just looking to slow down the cycling.

I think the main reason people notice a drop in pressure is because when the pressure tank is full your water pressure will be pretty good, then just before the pump turns on it is not as good, when the pump is on and running it is the best. So in your scenario when you were filling the pool, the pump was running non-stop so your pressure was good because the pump is providing many gallons per minute.
That is why the device featured in this thread is appealing. When the water is on the pump will run providing constant pressure.

I like it and thank you for sharing. My pressure tank is not that old and everything seems to be functioning good at this point in time. I will tell you that the next time any of those components need replacing this is the way I am going.
I think before I have an issue I will order this kit and just have it here already so that I won't even have to be in crisis mode when the crisis happens.

[Rob R.]

One thing worth noting about installing one of these valves - by throttling the output of the pump, the valve also increases the pressure in the pipe from the well. You need to make sure your piping is rated for the pressure your pump can produce. In most cases this is not a problem, but if you have really old piping or an oversized pump it could be a problem.

e.g. My dad has a 1/2 hp submersible pump that can produce about 100 PSI, the piping is rated for 200 psi. No problem.

Another friend reached out to me about replacing his pressure tank, and he has no information on his well. Rather than guess I suggested he just stick with a traditional tank. I should get this one installed next week.