Installing a Pump on a Water Tank: What You Need to Know

If you’re working on a remote job site or managing a property without easy access to water, the idea of attaching a pump to a water tank might be on your mind. The short answer is: yes, you can absolutely put a pump on a water tank. In fact, it’s a common and effective solution for small farms, acreage owners, landscapers, and construction crews.

But there’s more to it than just slapping a pump on a tank and turning it on. The type of pump, how you set it up, and what you’re using the water for all play into the best way to get the job done.

Let’s break it down — and answer some of the most common questions I hear.

Can You Put a Pump on a Water Tank?

Yes. Water storage tanks can be fitted with a pump to deliver water where and when you need it. This is especially useful for:

• Filling sprayers for gardens or pastures
• Watering trees and landscaping
• Powering pressure washers or washdown equipment
• Supplying water to construction or dust control systems
• Transferring water to livestock troughs or remote tanks

There are many ways to set this up, depending on whether you need pressure, flow, portability, or volume. For instance, you might use a 12-volt diaphragm pump on a spot sprayer to water plants or apply pesticide, or a gas-powered transfer pump to fill a large livestock tank quickly.

👉 Learn more: Understanding the Different Types of Sprayer Pumps

Do I Need a Pump for a Water Tank?

It depends. If your tank is elevated (like on a stand or hill), gravity might give you enough flow for simple tasks like garden watering. But if you need:

• Consistent pressure
• Higher flow rates
• Water to travel long distances or uphill
• To power a sprayer or nozzle

… then a pump is essential.

You can’t get reliable pressure or flow from gravity alone when you’re trying to run a hose, spray gun, or irrigation system. In those cases, a pump turns your tank from just a container into a powerful water source.

What Kind of Pump Do I Need for a Water Storage Tank?

The best pump depends on your setup and what you’re trying to do. Here’s a quick breakdown of common types:

1. 12-Volt Pumps

Great for mobile sprayers, ATV or UTV setups, and small spraying tasks. They’re portable and run off a vehicle battery. They are available in about 1-5 gallons per minute flow rates and 40-60 PSI. I use a ShurFlo 2088 for spot spraying herbicide and love it, but several quality brands will work, especially if you just want to pump water.

These pumps are small and designed to sit right on top of almost any poly ATV or UTV sprayer tank.
👉 Related: 12-Volt Sprayer Pumps Guide

2. Gas-Powered Centrifugal Transfer Pumps

Ideal for moving a lot of water fast — like filling up a 200-gallon sprayer or transferring between tanks. No power outlet required. A 2-inch poly pump with a Honda gas engine is the cat’s meow. You can pump water at about 150 gallons per minute, and the pumps are self-priming. Just be sure you don’t run them dry. Read more about avoiding this here.

A gas-powered pump will be too big to mount on top of a tank, but it can be installed right next to it. These are often used in truck beds or trailers along with a tank for watering livestock, watering trees, or getting water to anywhere you need it in a large volume.

3. Diaphragm Pumps

If a 1-5 GPM and 50-60 PSI won’t be enough for you, then a high-pressure diaphragm pump is the ticket. For spraying larger areas, invasive weeds, or reaching high trees, these are the type of pump that can handle the task. They offer consistent pressures over 150 psi and higher flow rates. You will need an engine or PTO to power these, and they will need a robust support to mount on a tank.
👉 Related: Sprayer Pump Comparison: Diaphragm vs Centrifugal

How Does a Water Pump Work for a Water Tank?

Most portable pump setups are mounted at or near the base of the tank. Here’s how it works:

1. Suction Hose: Feeds water from the tank to the pump.
2. Pump: Pulls the water from the tank and pushes it out the hose.
3. Discharge Hose: Sends water to your tool — sprayer, hose, nozzle, or other equipment.

Some pumps are self-priming (especially diaphragm and 12V models), meaning they can pull water from a level below their inlet. Centrifugal pumps can be self-priming as well, but need to be filled with water before use. This is very important to remember; this article on hooking up a pump will make sure you don’t have any doubts.

How to Get Water Out of a Tank Without a Pump

Yes, it’s possible to get water out of a tank without using a pump, but it comes with a few limitations. Without a pump, you’re relying on either gravity or atmospheric pressure, which means the flow will be slow and you won’t get the kind of pressure needed for spraying. Here are a few ways to do it:

1. Gravity Feed

If your tank is elevated—even just a few feet above the ground—you can take advantage of gravity. Water naturally wants to flow downhill, so if you connect a hose to a lower outlet on the tank, it will start to flow.

• Best use: Filling buckets, watering cans, or slowly filling a small trough.
• Limitations: The pressure is extremely low, especially if your hose is long or your tank is only slightly above the outlet point. Think of it more like a trickle than a spray.

Tip: The higher the tank, the more flow you’ll get. Even an extra 2–3 feet of height makes a noticeable difference. Some people build a small platform for their tank if they want to gravity-feed.

2. Manual Siphon

A siphon is a simple way to move water without electricity or a pump. To start one:

1. Fill your hose completely with water.
2. Plug both ends with your fingers or caps to hold the water in.
3. Place one end in the tank and the other end below the water level of the tank (gravity again does the work).
4. Release the ends, and water will start flowing.

• Best use: Draining a tank down a slope to another container or area.
• Limitations: Siphons won’t work if the discharge end is higher than the tank outlet, and starting the siphon can be a bit of a hassle without a small hand pump or a way to fill the hose completely.

Tip: Make sure your hose is free of air leaks or kinks—any break in suction will stop the flow.

Getting water out of a tank without a pump is fine for light-duty tasks like filling a bucket or watering a few plants, but if you want any real pressure—enough to spray, wash equipment, or run a hose more than a few feet—you’ll need a pump. A small 12‑volt, gas, or transfer pump will make your life much easier and save you a lot of waiting around.

Final Thoughts

Putting a pump on a water tank opens up a ton of possibilities for remote watering, spraying, and transferring tasks. Whether you’re managing a garden, farm, or worksite, the right pump setup can save you time and effort — and make your tank way more useful.