Hi Tosh, I'v got a surflow 60PSI pump like yours.
The varistream works fine, wouldn't want to be without it. You have to make sure all your connections are airtight on the inlet side of the pump. I had a slight leak and the variflow wasn't stopping when I shut off the flow. My fault for using different makes of connector, they don't all mix and match. I have tied a split ring 4 ft up the pole. No matter what lengh the pole is working at the ring is in the same place. I just bend the pole hose over and push it through the ring to stop the flow and the pump. If your hose is running outside the pole you don't need a tap. DAI