Inexpensive rapid spa drain

[Tonyf]

It was time for us to do our first drain and refill that had to be timed to get water delivered and not have freezin cold temperature. We had a 57 degree day yesterday, so I called the water deliverery service and they siad the only opening they had would be in two hours.

I do not have a sump pump, but someone on the forum recommend just buying a plastice 1 1/2" sump pump hose. I hooked up the garden hose to the spa drain and I already had one of the sump pump hoses, so I placed the end over one of the jets, and started the pump to start a siphon. As soon as it started, my wife shut off the breaker and the 475 gallons was gone within 1/2 hour leaving time to clean the spa. The water showed up a half hour earlier then scheduled.

Great advice for the hose and didn't have to spend $70 for a pump.
Tony

[Richs100]

Your post is responsible for me having a "Homer moment".....D'OH!

I have thought about using the siphon idea, but I always wondered how the heck I was gonna be able to suck that much water through such a big hose to get it started!
Starting the pump while holding the hose on a jet is a great idea.  

D'OH!

[Dipstick]

You do not need to run the pump to drain them that way. I use some 1.5" flex and have one end weighted so it stays at the bottom of the spa, submerge the hose so it fills with water then remove and it will siphon.

[Zep]

"I called the water deliverery service"

[size=18]?[/size]

[Vinny]

I do the same as you ... my only problem is my hose loses prime every so often then I have to resort to a pump. I bought a cover pump for my AG pool and use that for the draining of the spa. Once this goes I will be getting a sump pump - 200 gallons a minute will be great to empty the spa or cover and if my sump pump goes on the house I'll have a backup.

[smokeandsoak]

Or you can go to the local Petsmart or pet store and buy a submersible aquarium pump.  I got one that does over 500 GPH for $46.  Hook some tubing to the end and plug her in... tub drained in 45 minutes...

[windsurfdog]

Just changed water yesterday...2 garden hoses siphoned 450 gallons out in an hour...fast enough for me.  And while the water was siphoning, I cleaned the tub thoroughly.  Oh, and this included inspecting the epuipment underneath including opening the electronics cabinet to do a visual inspection.  Plus, I applied 303 protectant to the cover (both sides) and the headrests.

My point is this:  If you take the time to do a thorough "spa renewal" at water change time, an extra 15-30 minutes to drain the tub is inconsequential. 8-)

[Chas]

I agree.

 8-)

[Bonibelle]

Oh but Windy, you forgot to include the air temperature while you were performing your maintence activities   .. for those of us who do this at 32 degrees and below...the water can't drain fast enough!!

[Chas]

I agree with that, TOO.

 8-)

[windsurfdog]

Oh but Windy, you forgot to include the air temperature while you were performing your maintence activities   .. for those of us who do this at 32 degrees and below...the water can't drain fast enough!!

You are absolutely right, Boni...my bad!  Hopefully that would only affect 1 or maybe 2 changes/year.  Either way, if all one is doing is changing the water and not doing thorough maintenance, throwing a couple of hoses in and running back into the house gives you extra time for that nice cup of hot chocolate! 8-)