Alpine Hurricane 1500 Submersible Pump

$144.99
SKU
PAB1500

One of our favorite very small magnetic-drive submersible pumps! It is extremely energy efficient, providing reliable pumping in a small package.

Available in 2 sizes:

Features

  • High quality, energy efficient submersible pump designed for continuous use

  • Capable of 740 gallons per hour (GPH) at 5' of head pressure

  • Oil-free, magnetic-drive motor for long-term, efficient use.

  • 3 year warranty

The Alpine hurricane series of pumps are a great pumping option for smaller ponds and waterfalls, especially in situations where the excellent Alpine Cyclone pumps are a little too large.

The Alpine hurricane pumps are magnetic driven pumps, which means instead of a straight drive shaft from the motor to the impeller (like the Shinmaywa submersible pumps), the pump makes use of magnets to turn the impeller, which allows the motor to be fully encased in its own housing, which greatly reduces the likelihood of the motor leaking anything into the water. One disadvantage of mag pumps is that they tend to loose their flow rate quicker as head pressure increase compared to traditional direct drive pumps.

Please see the below figures to see how the flow rate of this pump changes under various head pressures. When buying a pump, carefully figure out your head pressure!  For example, a pressurized filter will add 5' to 10' of head pressure depending on how dirty it is.  If you add in a 5' waterfall, then your head pressure could be approaching 10' to 15'.  As you can see from the below chart, this pump looses much of it's flow after 10' of head, with the maxiumum head pressure being 11.5'.  So in that situation, a larger pump would be required.  For more information on how to calculate the head pressure of your pond system, please see our page on Calculating Head Pressure.

 

Pump Flow Rate (GPH) vs. Head Pressure

0' of head     5' of head   10' of head   15' of head  
1585 GHP       740 GPH       206 GPH       0 GPH      

 

Looking for a pump with more, or less flow?  Please see our page here on pump recommendations. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this pump use a magnetic drive or a direct drive motor system?

This pump is a magnetic driven pump, which while being more energy efficient, tends to lose flow faster as the head pressure increases (when compared to direct drive pumps).  If your system contains minimal head pressure, then a mag pump is a good choice.  However, if you have a decent amount of head pressure, you may find a mag driven pump to become less powerful more quickly.  Be sure to find out the head pressure of your system, and consult the chart above to see if this pump is the right fit for your pond application.

How big of a pump do I need?

We have written a page on choosing the right pond water pump, please have a look here, which will help you decide what size pump is right for your pond.

Will this pump work for a powering a waterfall?

Yes, up to a certain size.  Keep in mind that the larger your waterfall, the larger the pump you will need!  But also keep in mind that the larger the waterfall is, the more power draw will be required, which in turn raises your electrical bill.  Another thing to remember is the higher your waterfall, the more head pressure will be present, requiring a more powerful pump to push the water up hill.  For example, a 5' waterfall will add 5' of head pressure.  As you can see from the above chart, this pump will drop in flow the higher the head pressure gets. 

Should I get a submersible or an external pump?

Submersible pumps tend to be more convenient since they can simply be dropped in water and turned on.  External pumps aren't usually available in small sizes and instead come as large, powerful models.  External pumps need to be hidden in the landscape, but are usually more energy efficient which can save some money on running costs.  To learn more, please see our page on choosing a pond pump.

More Information
SKU PAB1500
Gallons per Hour (GPH) 1585 GHP @ 0'
Horse Power (HP) N/A
Max Head 11'5"
Inlet N/A
Outlet 1" FPT (female pipe thread) w/ adapter to 3/4", 1" and 1 1/4" spiral tubing
Watts (W) 95
Amps 0.79
Voltage (V) 120
Dimensions 6" Diameter x 10" H
Cord Length 33'
Warranty 3 Years