I am getting my well tested for more water.  I am still looking into the best pump and dump option.  My question is on the well pump.  I think I will be able to get 20 gpm out of my well.  If that is the case, should I go with a variable speed pump or I heard of some dsort of valve that allows a regular pump to act like a vsp?  Second, in either case, how is everything piped?

Thanks

When I installed my system, an experienced well driller recommended against variable speed pumps stating that they had seen too many problems - that was about 7 years ago and the pumps may have imporved.  I would get a pump that is about 150 % of the geothermal flow and go from there - unless you have other water uses that are significant.

You can use a valve to reduce flow, but that just wastes pumping energy. Some more options to consider:

1) a low pressure well pump and then a booster pump for domestic ater pressure
2) a 3 phase well pump (see www.grainger.com) plus a variable frequency drive/phase converter ($250)
3) putting much or all of the water back into the well (a standing column well)

The early variable speeds were a definate "soup sandwich". The market and technology has stabilised and the products are now very reliable.
IMHO the products offered by franklin electric are the most reliable and offer a wide range of gpm and horsepowers available, rather than the one pump fits all theory.
As to cycle stop valves... According to the manufacturer unless you are counter intuitive you won't get it. Do your research and make your own choices.
Eric Sackett
Weberwelldrilling.com

My well was tested today and they said I can get 18 gpm. I think this should be enough. The guy also told me that I have "soft iron" in my water. What does this mean and how will it affect a geo system?

By Soft Water they probably mean Ferrous Iron. Once it encounters oxygen it will oxidize and turn to Ferric Iron and provide nice orange staining.

Do a water quality analysis and compare to the water quality standards detailed at http://www.climatemaster.com/downloads/97B0046N03.pdf

-Adam
Hydrogeologist