PVC vs Stainless Prawn Pumps - Which is Better?

Which is Better - PVC vs Stainless Prawn Pumps ?

We get quite a few questions from both locals and holiday makers alike regarding which Prawn Pump is the better one to purchase and why.  Here’s a comparison of PVC vs stainless steel prawn pumps, especially as applies to muddy-river conditions (such as with mud prawns) in our SA rivers and estuaries, with pros/cons. 

Key Factors to Consider:

When pumping sand and mud prawns from holes in riverbanks or intertidal mud flats, some of the important stresses/material demands are:

• Corrosion & chemical exposure (water, mud, possibly saline/brackish, organic acids, etc.)

• Abrasion & wear (from sand, mud, grit)

• Weight & handling (you’ll carry it, use it manually, maybe in slippery/wet conditions)

• Seal / suction performance (you want good suction without losing prime, leakage etc.)

• Maintenance (parts wearing, replacing, rusting, alignment, etc.)

• Cost (initial + over time)

Option 1: PVC/Plastic Prawn Pumps

Advantages:

1. Cheaper up front: PVC or plastic parts are usually less expensive to produce or buy.

2. Lightweight: Easier to carry, less fatigue, easier to use manually.

3. Some parts non-corroding: Since PVC is plastic, the pipe body resists rust; plastic is inert to many chemicals. Aluminium or plastic components may reduce rusting. e.g. a PVC pump will not rust. 

4. Larger diameters possible easily (for suction area) and flexibility in design. Some users prefer the wider mouth of a PVC pump especially in deeper water. 

Disadvantages:

1. Less durable: Plastic / PVC is more likely to crack, deform, or break under stress (impact, bending, being dropped, etc.) or when exposed to UV, or under heavy use.

2. Corrosion or wear of non-plastic parts: Even with a PVC body, you often need a metal shaft, screws, etc. Those metal parts may be cheap metal, may corrode quickly. Users report the shaft, screws, or the “bung” (wood or other material that holds shaft) degrading, causing wobble or loss of seal. 

3. Seal / suction reliability: If parts wear or alignment shifts, you lose suction. Also, materials used for sealing (gaskets, rubber etc.) may degrade; cheap seals may lead to poor performance. User feedback suggests some PVC pumps lose suction as parts wear or corrode. 

4. Limited lifespan under harsh conditions: Especially when there's a lot of grit, mud, abrasive components, or exposure to salt water or brackish water (if relevant), plastic may erode, crack, or degrade faster.

Option 2: Stainless Steel Prawn Pumps

Advantages:

1. Durability / wear resistance: Stainless steel is much more resistant to corrosion, especially if a good grade (e.g. SS316), and more resistant to mechanical damage, bending, impact. Makes it last longer under tougher conditions. 

2. Better with abrasion & corrosive water: With mud + water + possibly salt / organic acids etc, stainless steel will handle the environment better than many plastics or mild metals not designed for corrosion. 

3. Stability / alignment / tight seal: If built well, stainless will maintain rigidity; screws/shafts etc won’t deform or corrode so fast. Better suction, better alignment over time. Users report SS pumps “pull better” especially in harder mud. 

4. Lower maintenance: If using good quality materials, fewer parts to replace, less frequent repair. Over the longer haul the total cost of ownership may be less.

Disadvantages:

1. Higher upfront cost: Stainless steel is more expensive to buy, more expensive to manufacture, may be heavier.

2. Weight: Heavier, more tiring to carry and operate manually especially over long periods.

3. Cost of parts: When something fails (if non-SS parts are included) replacing with SS might also be more expensive.

4. If low quality SS or wrong grade is used, it may still corrode (especially in salt / brackish water), or have issues like pitting, crevice corrosion. The quality of welds, screws, shafts etc counts.

Final Thoughts

In general, for pumping sand and mud prawns in our SA rivers, unless you are doing it very occasionally, lightly, and can accept frequent replacements or repairs, a good quality stainless steel pump is likely the better option. The greater durability, resistance to corrosion and wear, and reliability of suction often outweigh the extra cost and weight, especially in muddy, abrasive river environments.

However, there are cases where a PVC Pump might be “good enough”:

• If your budget is tight and use is occasional.

• If the mud is soft, lightly laden with grit, and not heavily abrasive.

• If you want something lightweight.

• If you are okay with more maintenance / repairing parts.

Feel free to contact us if you need more information or details on the above Prawn Pump Options.