Do some tubs have, digital PH readouts?
Seems fairly simple, and necessary.
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Do some tubs have, digital PH readouts?
Seems fairly simple, and necessary.
×2 on Hotsprings brand, our Envoy model is 13 years old and has been super-reliable, only maintenece has been replacing filters and a cover. *knocks wood* Buying a higher-end tub typically provides more jets but also better insulation, in Montana our bill is <$20 a month more with the tub.
I apply 303 protectant 3 times a year to my cover and got 9 years out of the first one, they aren't cheap. I agree with the home improvement comment, best upgrade we could have made!!
Bought a Baja whitewater in 2005. Turned the thing on and have used it almost every day since. I replace the cover every 2/3 years. We almost never use the jets anymore. Basically a soaking tub. I asked the tub guy if I just got lucky on realizability and he said running the thing constantly is the way to use it. Draining it and using it seasonally is why the break down. Interesting I thought.
I think think the lounger is useless and takes up a lot of seating area. You just end up floating off of it anyway. The little foam sponge body oil sucker uppers is the best preventative product going. Cuts down on filter cleaning and refilling. Mine gets heavy use and I drain, clean and refill 4-5 times a year.
Alkalinity is too low, bromine will turn the water yellow without the proper alkalinity.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dee Hubbs
Yeah, just look what Whitefish is charging PR!Quote:
Originally Posted by Harry
We are on our 4th hot tub, we soak at least 5 days a week, went cheap on 1st one (Costco), medium name brand on #2, and the last two have been hot springs. Would not even consider something else. They are super legit and worth the premium, imo, and certainly in the wife’s opinion as well. We use the silver and change the water every quarter. We use it so much, to change the water less would be gross, again imo. But you’re oxidizing skin, etc. as to the jet noise...wife loves the jets, the teens both want quiet, I’m 50/50
Thanks for the wiring info - I need to dig in deeper and see what we have at the house. We have kind of weird wiring: there's a main panel, and about 6 sub panels, and all the wiring is run in metal flex conduit. I have no idea why it was built this way. Luckily the last owner labeled every breaker switch.
We had an extra 220v in the garage that we weren't using and we ran a line from that to the tub. I am by no means handy in this area and I was able to do it.Quote:
Originally Posted by El Chupacabra
You need a 50 or 60A 240V breaker pair plus a subpanel by the hot tub. A breaker over 40A is a double-double. It'll take up 4 spot in your panel. There has to be a subpanel/disconnect more than 10' and less than 20' from the hot tub. They're a standard item and have room for an extra 6-8 breakers for lights and other accessories. The panel needs to be accessible for safety and servicing the hot tub.Quote:
Originally Posted by El Chupacabra
Has anyone mentioned a wood-fired?
I can't be the only one who's got an issue with marinating in other peoples' dirt.
Admittedly gross but nice after a day on the hill.
There is a lot of good advice in this thread (I know I usually say the opposite), but that said, nobody cares about max temp? That is the defining stat of a good hot tub for me. Probably less so if you live in the south like the OP...much less so I guess. But still.
Otherwise do what Skiballs wishes for ( me too!) or save money and just crank your water tank up and take a bath, or get a jetted indoor tub. Or I guess get a jacuzzi, which I’ll never understand the point of.
That’s why you have your own tub.Quote:
Originally Posted by iceman
I can control how many chemicals I use and
my dirt is special!
We got over 20 years out of a Calspa. Had to replace the heater twice I think, the timer once, some minor repairs on the shell, some leaks which I had to fix myself because the repair guys around here won't touch anything that old. We're replacing it--don't ask me why, ask my wife, but since it had to be drained and moved for some construction good chance it won't work again. Next one is a Hot Spot--a little under 7K not counting crane, electric work (if we can get an electrician, otherwise we'll do it ourselves) and disposal of the old one. I'd have gone with a Hot Springs but the models in the size we're looking at--350 gal--all have lounge seats which I don't want.
I don't like the jets. The jet setting on ours froze years ago so we only get jets for the back and feet in one location. And no air--that froze up too. We'd have fixed those things but we don't use the jets enough to bother. I hate it when I'm alone or alone with friends in a community spa and someone comes in and turns on the jets without asking. The person with seniority gets to choose. The people who turn on the jets without asking are the same ones who change channels on the gym tv without asking. I basically hate noise. Silence is great underrated.
Care to share the make/model/cost?Quote:
Originally Posted by Harry
You all don't get dehydrated sitting in those hot baths?
I've used a wood fired hot tub quite a bit. They're better than not having a tub but the drawbacks are significant: delay to soak, less control over water temp being the main ones. If I had an off the grid place I'd put one in.Quote:
Originally Posted by permnation
http://www.allseasonsspas.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/group-in-sundance-in-winter.jpg[/IMG][/QUOTE]
5-6k?
I thought you were a baller!
Better sell more used cars.
It still gets cold here. Feels colder here than in CO. Summer won't see as much use though.Quote:
Originally Posted by muted
My bathroom has a big, jetted tub. I don't take baths though.
So because I can afford it, I should buy something I don't need?Quote:
Originally Posted by TheSilverSurfer
Great advice sport.
Go take your Ritalin.
In the summer I set my tub to 90-94, iffin it gets over that I just run the garden hose into it for a bit and the temp comes right down.
I find it much more comfortable and I get moar use from it during the warmer months.
^^^ That's how Mrs Cruiser's relatives down in Texas do it. They throttle it way down during the summer and use it like a cool tub when it's 95* and 90% humidity. I've had more than a couple of beers in the cool tub on the back porch down there.
I would love one of those. I do have a jacuzzi tub in the house - nice and deep. Love to soak in it. Rarely if ever use the jets.Quote:
Originally Posted by Beer Drinker
I'll tell you what I'm really into - steam saunas! Oh man I love those! Esp. with a nice eucalyptus infusion. Soooooooooo wonderful!
I love those. Eucalyptus/menthol-ish smells included.Quote:
Originally Posted by KQ
Parents new crib in tahoe has a sauna that I want to convert into a steam room.
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New place we are moving into has a steam room. Should be nice after skiing all day. Haven't had a chance to use it yet.
do not allow young people to drink bottled beer in the spa. Stepping on a beer cap is worse than legos.
Some hot tubs are 220V/30A. Some can be wired 110V/30A. There are even some smaller plug & play 110V/15A hot tubs, although they take a long time to heat water after filling.Quote:
Originally Posted by Snow Dog
Too lazy to read the whole thread. Granted we are more than a thousand miles from any real skiing; but we get a pretty good change-of-seasons here. first house had a hot-tub. I used it regular for maybe the first year. the next five years. not-so-much. and jezus what a pain in the ass to keep running. 2nd / current house had one. I took a chainsaw to it drug it to the landfill in pieces during the frist month. these are the "built into the deck" variety.
NEVER want to own another one. Just my $.02.
Inherited a 2 person Hotspring Solana. It's a 110/15A. They make a 30A upgrade if you need but it already keeps the temp at 104* in the winter. Power bill is less than $10/month more than pre-hot tub. Can drain and fill in 2-3 hrs. Takes another 10 or so hrs to get up to temp. I will only sit in it if it's just me or me and my gal-it shares foot space for the two seats. When empty, two people can easily load it on a trailer. We drop the temp as low as it will go in the summer. We use it 4-6 days a week in the winter. So nice after a little 5* night skiing session.
I know this post answers nothing for the original poster but thought I would share in case anyone is looking for something like it for two.
I agree, marinating in people soup is disgusting.Quote:
Originally Posted by iceman
I used to think hot tubs were for drunken orgies. More like trying to get the body moving in the morning or keeping it from seizing up after skiing or hiking. Although we did try to have sex in a friend's hot tub in the back yard while she was out shopping. Things were going quite well until she came back early.Quote:
Originally Posted by flowing alpy
That’s what the chlorine is for.Quote:
Originally Posted by Beaver
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No egg drop soup allowed in our tub...tub sex verboten. 10 years ago as a single dude .... different story. And what’s with boater chicks and hot tubs.....always nekkid.
are you sure you weren't with Randy??Quote:
Originally Posted by old goat
http://digitalspyuk.cdnds.net/14/40/...-a-hot-tub.jpg
In my blue collar world I picked up one of these a few months ago, it was only $300 at the time.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Coleman-S...&wl13=&veh=sem
Best $300 I ever spent. Next long holiday camping trip with full hook ups I'm bringing it along. It's really only big enough for two people, but it works well for that.
I think that's usually only an issue at hotels. My personal hot tub stays crystal clear. It's not that hard. It's already been said here, but one of the keys is going in sans clothing. Going in clean and naked is the key. Seriously. No matter how rinsed your bathing suits are, some detergents can still remain, and that's usually what cloudies up hot tub water. Don't EVER let anybody come in with regular clothes or t-shirts either. They hold more remnant laundry soap than bathing suits and will usually necessitate a drain/refill with all the crap that comes out of that. Also, perhaps it makes me the hot tub nazi with my guests, but after a day of skiing/hiking/whatever, I won't even let them use it at all without showering off first. That's non-negotiable. People always understand and actually appreciate it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Beaver
Then once every clears out, just dump in your chlorine and shock, and run your jets for a few minutes. Boom. Tub will be good as new the next time you get in. I like to prefill a bunch of old 35mm film canisters with a premeasured amount of chlorine/shock and leave a basket full of them. That way it's dummy-proof for guests in case I'm not around.
Another thing I highly suggest is put together your own hot tub cleaning kit. I bought a couple inexpensive submersible utility pumps and some cheap garden hoses. I can seriously have my entire hot tub drained in less than 10 minutes. Clean and spray out the filter. I get in there with a bucket and a rag and wipe down the entire tub. Refilled in about 30 minutes to an hour. Easy peezy. I like to do that after we've had house guests for a while and in between seasons.
I don't know why people make such a big deal out of hot tub maintenance. I seriously find them easy and so rewarding. We use ours constantly. Oh, and I also recommend HotSpring like everybody else. They're pricier, but one of the most reputable brands for sure.
The jet debate's a funny one. Personally, my wife and I pretty much never use the jets unless trying to massage our muscles after a day of skiing. We like the peace and quiet under the stars. Seems that our jets mostly only get used when guests are there since they seem to love 'em.
One last pro tip:
When the snow starts flying, start shoveling all the snow to around the sides. After a couple good snows, you'll have a really nice snow bar where you can set up a full bar, selection of beers, etc. The heat is just enough to keep about an inch or two gap melted in between the snow and the tub (the walls of the bar then freeze up nicely), and it also creates a nice barrier to keep the wind off the tub so it runs more efficiently for when it gets REALLY cold. I love my awesome snow bar I create each Winter and am always a bit sad to see it go away come Spring thaw.