How do you install a submersable well pump in a cistern

[wallymyers]

I want to install a submersable pump in a cistern. Do you need to have a pipe or can you just lay the pump in the bottom of the cistern. Is ther a flow switch available to turn the pump off if the cister runs dry?

[nomind]

Hi Wallymyers,
- I have worked on many 3-4 ft wide wells to 40 ft deep wth submersible pumps installed. Generally the pump is fitted in a 'flow sleeve' , essentially a piece of 5-6" pipe which hangs on the check valve at top of pump and induces flow from below to cool the motor. Most of these have also had some form of switch to stop the pump if levels fall too much. This can range from a simple float switch, attached to the pump, to the more expensive amperage sensing units that fit at the control box. Fitting in a cistern should really be no different than inside a shallow well. Just be sure it'll swich off quickly when level drops to the intake, or better yet, just above intake. ( which is why I prefer float switch. ) :cool:

[wallymyers]

Should the pump be inside of the pipe? And if so, how far off of the bottom of the cistern should the pipe be?