Anyone got one? Got suggestions on them? What to look out for? I want one. Someone set me on the right path-I know nothing.
Yes, I could google it-I trust you DMFer's more :)
Can be a headache.
JM
Quote from: the_Journeyman on January 27, 2009, 12:02:12 PM
Can be a headache.
JM
You can say the same for marriage and homeownership-I'm still jumping into both feet first.
New house has a spot for a hot tub, little roof, hookups, everything-I want one.
I'm in the same boat (so to speak).
Edu-ma-cate me, please, DMF.
= Petri Dish
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jdjv5ZwQcdQ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jdjv5ZwQcdQ)
You can pick up used ones for dirt cheap, lots of buyers remorse with hot tubs, if you aren't in a hurry, you can pick up a 1-2 year old one for a few hundred dollars, and then you will see if you like the whole hot tubbing experience and upgrade, or not. They can be a pain in the ass.
I've always enjoyed hot tubs.
I've never had to maintain said hot tubs though.
Owned a Hot Springs tub, liked it, but more often than not, it sat unused. Chemicals and heating get costly.
Quote from: MrIncredible on January 27, 2009, 12:27:06 PM
I've always enjoyed hot tubs.
I've never had to maintain said hot tubs though.
Aside from basic chemical balancing and figuring out if you want to use chlorine or bromine they are really great, especially if you're active and plan to use it as a relaxation tool.
We've had ours for about 2 years and it's been hit or miss; meaning that we go through phases where we love using it and where we don't use it for weeks.
Branding is important, finding out if the jets are on thier own independent hose systems makes a big difference. To clarify a little, lets say your hot tub (or future one) has two controls for two sets of main jets, you need to be sure that turning one set on high doesn't take away pressure from the other set of jets. Having various levels of jet pressure (to choose from) is typical, but you don't want various settings to effect the jets on the other line.
...and remember, having 2 people in a spa built for 5 is like being in a pool with 200 people (germ wise). So when you do get it, be sure to keep it clean!! We use some leather protectant called Sun Stop 2000 from the local autoparts store to protect the leather cover from sun damage with seems to do very well; covers run $400 so replacing one every year isn't an option!
Hope that helps!
I've had them for years, in fact going to buy a new one next month and get rid of the old one.
Depending on your budget expect to pay around $6K for a good tub.
If you go with the cheap knock offs you'll spend in the end on tub repairs, pump repairs, jet repairs, plumbing repairs.
Ask me how I know? [cheeky]
I have done alot of research over the years and it sure used to be a PITA to dake care of but now have it figured out.
There are alot of schools of thought on this and everyone insists that their method is best and all others are wrong etc.
There is chlorine, bromine, silver ion, and copper ion, and some more obscure others that I don't know much about.
I personally use the copper ion method, but in the past used chlorine and bromine.
Chlorine and bromine are oxidizers and disinfectants, you have to deal with smell though and the effect they
have on the skin. I don't like the smell and they dry my wife's skin out really bad. But they do the job really well.
If you have a "party" tub, meaning alot of people using it, I would go with chlorine or bromine as they really do well.
My tub is used by my own personal family so I don't worry about skin infections etc that you don't know about.
Copper ions will work as a bactericide and algicide and will kill viruses as well, though not as fast as chlorine will.
The draw back with the copper ion or silver ion for that matter is that they will not oxidize proteins in the water.
So you will have to regularly "shock" the system after each use really with potassium peroxymonosulfate, brand name is Oxy-Spa.
this is a non-chlorine shock that oxidizes all the nasty stuff in the water, works really well if you have an ozone system on your
spa too, they work hand in hand. The other shock is a chlorine based shock called DiChlor. I use it once and a while if
the water gets cloudy after the whole family has used the tub. the water is clouded from body oils and perfume and deoderant etc.
If you wear it, it ends up in your water and you have to break it down chemically.
That covers sanitizers. [laugh]
There are a few other products you need to clump proteins to help out your filter and what not but thats the big stuff that tends
to be the PITA.
I spent more money on a tub because I wanted a "hydrotherapy" tub with the associated jets. You can spend less and get less too.
Lemme know if you want more info.
With spas, you definately do get what you pay for. You can't go wrong with the Jacuzzi brand. Just make sure it is an actual Jacuzzi and not a generic one. www.jacuzzi.com
They pretty much have every configuration you could want. We have a J-230, which is a lower end model but we think is awesome in every way. Great to get into after a long day riding, hiking, working out, or just for relaxation under the stars with a glass of red wine [wine]
In two years, we have never had a problem with it or had to do any repairs.
I have one. Bought it as a "2nd" from a dealer for about 3K. Bought it in '03 and had to replace the pump once, but that was a design feature that we fixed by removing an unneeded float off the skimmer. It got stuck "up" and starved the pump. Won't ever have that problem again. I pay a guy to clean it weekly ($25/month) as I never could get it "just right". Others have given good advice about buying used, lots of them available. Trouble is you may need a crane to get it in or out of the yard and into yours. Go to a dealer, they usually have tons of used ones and they deliver. If your Mr. Gotbucks get one with a stereo and TV.
http://www.calspas.com/hot_tubs/detail_series~Spa_Series~27.htm (http://www.calspas.com/hot_tubs/detail_series~Spa_Series~27.htm)
I have a crane ;)
They are really low Maintenance these days.
I have a Jacuzzi
I would sit in some to be sure the mold is right for your body and also ask them about the air water mixture. The wrong mixture beats your body up more than massaging it.
Quote from: bobspapa on January 27, 2009, 12:09:55 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jdjv5ZwQcdQ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jdjv5ZwQcdQ)
Haven't seen that in awhile!! [laugh]
I'm sure hot tubes can be a pain to maintain but so was my swimming pool. I loved every minute having it though!! If we would have had a hot tube too..we may still be in that last house?! A very good answer to those back problems you've had MrI!
If you decide you don't lie it you can fill it with soil and grow crops [thumbsup]
I was thinking of raising trout.