Bucket Test
Sizing a Separator with the LAKOS Bucket Test
What This Video Covers:
- Finding your system’s flow rate using the bucket test
- How to calculate your system’s GPM
- Using system flow rate to size a LAKOS separator
Why Does Flow Rate Matter for Separator Selection?
Accurately identifying your system’s flow rate is critical to properly sizing a LAKOS Separator. Choosing a separator that matches your home’s flow rate helps prevent issues like underperformance and maintenance.
Use the LAKOS Bucket Test to get the right GPM and the right separator.
- Start by opening a valve or faucet downstream of the pressure tank. Let the water run until the well pump turns on.
- Once the pump turns on, close the valve and allow the system to fully refill. When the pump shuts off, the pressure tank has reached capacity and is now ready for the bucket test.
- Next, grab a 5-gallon bucket. With no other water running in the home, open the same valve again and begin collecting water. Using the 5-gallon bucket measure how many gallons you draw from the system before the pump turns back on. This represents your system’s drawdown volume.
- Now, as soon as the pump kicks on, turn the valve off and start a timer. Count how long it takes for the pump to refill that same amount of water—until it shuts off again. Record the time in minutes.
- To calculate your actual flow rate, simply divide the number of gallons collected by the time it took to replenish. Gallons divided by minutes equals gallons per minute—or GPM.
