Hot Tub Forum

Original => Hot Tub Forum => Topic started by: bulmer4nc on February 04, 2005, 06:00:16 pm

Title: Sump Pump Hose
Post by: bulmer4nc on February 04, 2005, 06:00:16 pm

Well... a week or two ago someone suggested using a sump pump hose to drain a tub.  I went to Lowes and got 2 24 foot ones and joined them together then ran it to the back of my backyard from the tub.   I turned on the whirlpool jet and put the hose in front of it to get it going.  Let it run for 10 or 15 seconds to get it going and then let it drain.  20 minutes later the Optima was empty.  Almost 500 gallons in 20 minutes...  Amazing.

Thanks to whoever it was that posted that idea.  I can't remember which thread it was on but that smokes the 3 hours or so with a garden hose.

Title: Re: Sump Pump Hose
Post by: newtotubbing on February 04, 2005, 06:41:02 pm

I tried the same method but couldn't get the hose to keep the prime. >:(  

I used one of the jets to get it going but no luck.  I used 1 1/4" sump pump hose.


Jonathan

Title: Re: Sump Pump Hose
Post by: Chas on February 04, 2005, 07:26:49 pm

Cheap pool vac hose works great. You can buy it it varying lengths. Just be sure to store it out of the sun.

Or, you can use a three or four-foot length of vac hose (or sump pump hose) and then hook up some backwash hose to carry the water to the corners of the yard.

Title: Re: Sump Pump Hose
Post by: bulmer4nc on February 04, 2005, 08:58:36 pm

Quote

I tried the same method but couldn't get the hose to keep the prime. >:(  

I used one of the jets to get it going but no luck.  I used 1 1/4" sump pump hose.


Jonathan

Our hose was almost 50 feet and at the end it was about 5 feet below the tub so I had pretty gravity helping me.  I also started with very strong flow as I used the whirlpool jet.   It seemed to be enough to keep the flow moving really well until it was empty.

Title: Re: Sump Pump Hose
Post by: Warkovision on February 04, 2005, 09:21:46 pm

Well, it took me a few tries, but I just fed the 24 footer a couple of feet at a time into the tub until it was completely submerged. I put my hand tightly over one end, and dragged it out and let go. Voila! Didn't even use the jets, though I'll probably try that next time. Good idea!

Title: Re: Sump Pump Hose
Post by: newtotubbing on February 04, 2005, 10:32:13 pm

I tried with a 24' section and my property doesn't drop that much.  Maybe if I double us the hose and fill t up with water first, that should help.  Meanwhile I bought a $70 pump from Lowes to help me out with my last drain.

Jonathan