Submersible pump recommendation?

[steve771]

Started draining my spa via the bibb on the bottom.  Whew, does it run slow.

So my question is (for next time), does anyone have an opinion on what size/make submersible pump to get to speed things up? (at a reasonable cost, of course).

Thanks!

[HotTubMan]

Hello!

We used to sell Sta-Rite 1/6 HP (not sure if that's bHP or continuous!) submersibles. Worked great.

There is a removal adapter for a garden hose, allowing you your choice of hose size: 1/2" or 1.5"

A 400 gallon spa would drain in 50-60 minutes with  the garden hose, 20-25 minutes with the 1.5" backwash hose.

Persoanally, I think it is better to use the back wash hose not only for time but also because a 200' hose can be wound up to occupy 1 sq ft.

HTM

[Drewski]

Try getting some 1.5 inch flexible hose about 20 Ft long. Put one end in the tub (weighting it down), use an "adapter" to build up the other end to fit a wet/dry vac nozzle. Convert vac to "wet." Stick nozzle end in the vac and turn on. When the vac starts to pull and fill with water, quickly pull off the end of the hose and secure it as low to the ground as possible. Instant "power" siphon. Drains tub in 10 minutes.

Note that "standard" wet/dry vac hose has too wide of an opening diameter to completly drain tub before losing siphon unless the ground where the hose empties is 2 to 3 ft LOWER than the lowest level of the tub.

Drewski

[Perk1]

I do not use a 'submersible' pump.  I got a pump at the Homey Depot. IT has two fittings to attach hoses.  You attach a shorter hose(included) to one side then attach your drain hose to the other fitting.  The pump sits on my filter lid and I drop the short hose into the tub and turn it on.  It works great.  

You can also use the 'siphon' method mentioned above.  I dont even bother hooking it up to a shop vac to get it going.  If I am not using the pump i stick a 6 - 8 foot length of hose in my tub and suck the water out until it reaches my mouth then I just lay the hose down.  Gravity does the rest.

[steve771]

Thanks for the recommendations.  As far as siphoning, it doesn't seem like it would work much better than using the outlet and letting the water free flow.  It seems to be coming out at about the rate that a siphon would, IMHO.

After this running for a couple hours, I am seeing a dent in it.  Also, I just thought of something... if I increase the volume and speed of the water coming out, I'm liable to flood my small backyard.  Maybe a slow flow isn't such a bad thing?  

[HotTubMan]

Thanks for the recommendations.  As far as siphoning, it doesn't seem like it would work much better than using the outlet and letting the water free flow.  It seems to be coming out at about the rate that a siphon would, IMHO.

Siphonning speed/submersible pump speed is greatly dependant on the hose size. If you siphon with 1.5" hose as Drewski suggested will increase the flow rate three fold.

[steve771]

Duh, missed the diameter of 1.5 vs. a garden hose.  Thanks for explaining.

[tonyp]

Actually from a .75 hose to a 1.5 is a 4x increase.  From a .5 hose it's 9x.

[HotTubMan]

Actually from a .75 hose to a 1.5 is a 4x increase.  From a .5 hose it's 9x.

I sit corrected.

[Chas]

[steve771]

Dang Chas, I wish you would have posted that earlier!  I just finished my drain and fill!  

[Spatech_tuo]

Dang Chas, I wish you would have posted that earlier!  I just finished my drain and fill!  

I think Chas is on to something. That method costs peanuts to implement.

[Chas]

I think Chas is on to something. That method costs peanuts to implement.

Cleanup can be a big deal, but no kindness is ever forgotten.