Cecil, maybe talk to the plastic tank company. Run the calculations and get a tank that has enough capacity to hold 24 hr worth of water. Put the level switch in there, and it only kicks on once per day when the water gets low enough. IIRC if you have an open pit, and only exchange the water once a day, it might bring in unwanted bugs/frogs or be an area where mosquito's lay their eggs.
Makes sense Scott but I'd prefer to steer clear of a plastic tank for two reasons:
1. Even at 2 gpm for 24 hours, it would have to be a big expensive tank to have enough volume to only have to kick the well on every 24 hrs. 120 gallons an hour x 24 = . Probably cheaper to dig a pit 3 feet deep by 6 or 8 feet wide by whatever length needed and put in a liner. I could dig it by hand, and I do need some fill to build up a drop in slope in the same area.
2. If it was above ground in a tank the water would warm up in the summer vs. below ground in a liner.
As far critters I've got a nice cover now for the 6X6X3 pit made of a wood framework and plastic mesh that works good for keeping out the larger critters. I'll probably enclose it anyway with a frame construction insulation and slanted roof with a vent tube to vent off Co2.
