Question
Hello James, I am visiting my relatives in Florida and we are trying to complete a well project. My son in law wants a shallow well to water plants. Wa washed in a 2" casing into the ground to about 15 feet when we ran into an old oyster or shell bed.We have about 6' of water in the casing so it should be OK.We were hoping for 20' but 15 will have to do. I had an old 1/2hp Meyers pump that was used for a deep well in Indiana. A guy that is in the irrigation bussiness told us that we dont need a shallow well ejector with that. We plugged the bottom hole on the pump and connected the 1-1/4 inch  suction pipe with sand point to the top hole (larger one) but could not lift the water to get it primed, no matter how much water we poured into the pump.
What do you think is wrong, do we need the shallow well ejector? When the pump was used previously as a deep well pump, I had an ejector down in the well.
Are the ejectors pretty much standard size? and how much do they cost?
Your expert advice will be much appreciated
                       Thank you, Jurgen

Answer
jurgen,
 I may be able to help here, but i can't say for sure.if the suction line won't fill either the suction line is leaking, (it would have to be leaking pretty bad for it not to prime at all) or maybe you don't have a foot valve on the end of the suction line. a foot valve is a one way valve that will allow it to pull water in, but stop it from falling back out. check that and let me know.
thanks
  james