Rain Water Pump for the Garden

[Maz91 305]

Hey gang. I’m hoping someone will know the answer to this question. I managed to score the perfect 500 gallon tank for collecting rainwater off of my garage’s metal roof for garden watering. 
 

I have an open shed area where the tank and pump will live but I’m not sure what type of pump would be best for this application.

 

I’d like to set up irrigation eventually but for now I’m looking to just use a basic garden hose and sprayer. Obviously when I stop spraying the pump either needs to either be ok to run against a closed valve or automatically shut off when the hose becomes pressurized. Auto on/off seems like it may be a bad idea if I start and stop spraying a lot though. 
 

Anyone have any ideas? Thanks!

[Bar Nuthin 2,390]

You probably want something like this

 

ECO-WORTHY 110V AC Fresh Transfer Diaphragm Water Pump On Demand 5.5GPM 70PSI High Pressure Water Booster Pump 110 Volt with Pressure Switch for Irrigation Garden Hose Sprinkler Home RV

[wallfish 19,887]

2 hours ago, Maz91 said:

Hey gang. I’m hoping someone will know the answer to this question. I managed to score the perfect 500 gallon tank for collecting rainwater off of my garage’s metal roof for garden watering. 
 

I have an open shed area where the tank and pump will live but I’m not sure what type of pump would be best for this application.

 

I’d like to set up irrigation eventually but for now I’m looking to just use a basic garden hose and sprayer. Obviously when I stop spraying the pump either needs to either be ok to run against a closed valve or automatically shut off when the hose becomes pressurized. Auto on/off seems like it may be a bad idea if I start and stop spraying a lot though. 
 

Anyone have any ideas? Thanks!

I have a used radon water system unit you can have, Pump (7 GPM) is controlled by water pressure just like your house. Turn on water as in pull the hose trigger and it will pump, shut off water as in let go of the trigger and it wiil build pressure and stop automatically. It'll work just like the water pressure in your house does. You're not too far from me in Leicester MA

You can also use a 12v wash down water pump for boat applications. Pull the hose trigger and it will pump. Let off the the trigger and it will stop. Just not near as much volume of water pumped compared to the 110 v water pump

[953 nut 65,693]

Drip irrigation is much more efficient for a garden and can be done without a pump if the tank is elevated slightly above the garden area.

 

[Razorback 1,287]

Depending on a person’s situation, I have done well using 275-gallon “totes”, 12V RV water pumps, batteries, and solar panels. The layout of our 1-acre lot means that where I can capture rainwater is downhill from where I need the water, so I transfer from tank to tank. (I need to get one more tank, now that I think of it… I have a source of food-grade, once-used, cleaned tanks for $35!! A 4th tank on the high side of the garden will be ideal, then I could utilize a drip system.)