You’ve been searching the web trying to find the right pump at the right price.  Your brain is fogged by brand names, model numbers, types, and prices.  You’ve got 32 open browser tabs, an unknown number of pdf files, 7 continuously looping videos running in the YouTube app, and 3 different songs playing at the same time.  You’re just about ready to throw the whole thing into the street and four-wheel over it.

I’m going to simplify it.

In conclusion

• Best – Gast AT05 for longest life and least aggravation, but it’s the most expensive.
• Better – Aerodyne APW80 for the best combination of life and price.
• Good – SSP DBMS80 for a good pump at a great price.

 

Suggestion	Part Number	Description	Notes
Best	AT05	Gast AT05-520-G215DX Rotary Vane Septic Air Pump	Longest life and least aggravation, but it’s the most expensive
Better	APW80	Aerodyne APW80-2500 Septic Air Pump	Best combination of life and price
Good	DBMS80	SSP DBMS80-1250, Linear Air Pump	Good pump at a great price

A few Details

There are 3 categories and several classes of pumps for 500 gallon per day systems of most homes. 

The categories are:

• Linear,
• Rotary Vane, and
• Regenerative blower.

I’ll focus on linear and rotary vane pumps for this article because regenerative blowers are least common.

Details of Linear Pumps

The linear pump category has 4 classes:  terrible, good, better, and best.  I won’t mention the names of pumps in the terrible class, but I’ll give you a few brands in the other classes.  (Draw your own conclusions about that.)  Pumps in all classes produce 80LPM at around 2.5PSI and produce about the same amount of noise.  The distinguishing characteristics are life, and aggravation.  That is, how long do the pumps last and what is the expected repair cycle.

Good pumps, like our DBMS80 series, come with a 1-year warranty.  They may require repair kits every 1 to 2 years if you live in an area with hot (100° and up) summers.  The DBMS80 is our least expensive pump and repair kits are modestly priced, too.

You can repair linear pumps as long as the coils and shuttle remain in working order.  Coils are expensive; once the coils go out, you may as well buy a new pump.  If the coils go out, you want to replace the coils, shuttle, and diaphragms at the same time.  That’s the entire insides of the pump.

Better pumps like our APW80 have a 2-year warranty.  They may require repair kits every 2 to 3 years.  The better pumps have a longer life and require less maintenance.  The APW80 also includes a Schrader port (Schrader valve not included) you can use to test back pressure without opening the system.  It is a modestly priced pump with modestly priced repair kits.  Of course, you won’t need as many repair kits because the repair cycle of the APW80 is twice as long as the DBMS80 pump – so half as many kits.

Best Linear pumps like the High Blow HP80 or Fuji Mac 80RII come with 2 or 3-year warranties.  The pumps and repair kits are a little more expensive, but the pumps require less maintenance.

Details of Rotary Vane Pumps

Rotary vane pumps were used on most systems during the early days of small aerobic wastewater plants for homes.  Originally, the Gast 0523 series pumps were used.  They only lasted about 5 years until Gast added a fan to cool the motor.  Now, the AT05 series can last 10 years or more.  It may require a repair kit every 3 to 5 years.  Gast made the pumps more quiet since the old days, too.

The life of AT05 rotary vane pumps far exceeds the life of any of the linear pumps.  They are also more expensive.

Boiled Down

I hope this article helps.  The number of options in the market can be confusing.  The way sellers shout about how their particular pump is the best in every situation can be frustrating.  When you boil it down, the choices are pretty simple:

• The longer the life of the pump, the more it costs.
• The less maintenance required, the more it costs.

Price increases as life increases and aggravation decreases.  The Gast AT05 is usually the winner compared to the linear pumps, but it’s the most expensive.  If you opt for a linear pump, I recommend the APW80 because it is a good combination of life and price.  If you need a pump right now, but you just bought a big TV, I suggest the DBMS80.  It is a good pump at a great price.