Hi there. In the last 3 houses we have had a Jucuzzi tub, but I hardly used them at all. This house I was going to put a garden tub in, but was convinced by the builder and DH that that a Jucuzzi is better for resale. Although I plan on staying in our new house for a while (I had the same plans with most all the other homes I have owned too), I think it is smart to think about future resale. I also remember in one house when a Realtor came, she commented how she was glad we were smart enough to put in a jetted tub, that too many make a mistake and just put in a garden tub.

Personally - i would be fine with a garden tub, but since we are building an upscale home - we are putting in those jets!

If you go with a jetted tub, make sure you get one that has features to reduce or eliminate algae growth in the piping. We rarely used our older jetted tub and black algae grew in the pipes. No matter how much we cleaned there always seemed to be tiny bits showing up in the bath water. Each time I used the tub, I looked closer and closer and eventually became so freaked that I stopped using it.
I must be nuts to let my wife talk me into another jetted tub with this remodel, but I spent a lot of money on a Sanijet tub this time. It is scheduled for delivery later in January.

Algae eliminator??? Please tell me more!
I like our jacuzzi tub but hate cleaning it, not only the pipe part of it but also around the round nozzles.
But for resale, I'd do it : )

I've had our jacuzzi tub for about a year, use it all the time and no algae problems so far. I use dishwasher powder and 1/3 C bleach. Fill with hot water, run jets about 10 minutes, drain, refill and drain again. If I take a bath with any bath salts or soaps, I don't run the jets. I've had both the garden and jacuzzi but I prefer the jacuzzi because of the comfortable back slope where I can relax and read a book.

Jetted tubs need frequent cleaning whether used or not because the water lays in the piping and water that's stagnant will grow molds. The instructions on mine say to clean it twice a month!!!!!!!!!

I have a jacuzzi and hate it for the noise and the necessity of purging it. I'll take a soaker tub any day, and it was actually a negative for me the last 2 homes I bought. I ripped one out and plan to rip another out soon in my current home. I do like outdoor hot tubs, though.

I only use mine occasionally. I hate trying to clean around those jets! I was told to use vinegar and hot water to clean the tub, since I could never find "Whirl Away", which was the cleaning product recommended by the manufacturer. It is amazing how much gunk comes out when you clean it! I will try the dishwashing powder now!

saskatchewan girl, I shopped a lot of tubs. Some have ports on top to pour cleaner and flush the lines. That seems like it should work, but I don't know any manufacturer that claims to stay algae-free except the Sanijet. The problem is that they start at around $2,000 US up to $10,000.
Only a couple people on this forum talked about the Sanijet, but neither had them installed yet. I was hoping to get a recomendation first. I am running out of time to cancel if I hear discouraging words.
If it were just me, I would have gone with a soaker tub.

Hmmm....I know I won't replace our tub but the Sanijet sound easy r/t maintenance! I don't know if I have a "port" to purge? Never seen one in the open, maybe it's underneath somewhere. I'm going to try the dishwasher powder and bleach this weekend : ) Do I have to do a full tub again to rinse?? Or just leave it a couple of days or so before having a jetted bath?

One thing I like is my tub fits 2 ; ) With a deck for candles and wine : D.... Gotta luv that!! So for me -size does matter- but cleanliness does too.

Check out the airjet tubs (Bain Ultra and Aquatic). They blow air to circulate the water and then blow plain air after the sensor detects that the tub is empty to make sure no water is left standing in the system.

Another thing to consider w/a whirlpool type tub is that the water may get very cold while you sit. The Aquatic tubs have a line (HotSoak) that has a heater included that helps the water stay warmer.

We're actually buying an Aquatic soaking tub with a heater (not for whirlpool)

Here is a link that might be useful: Aquatic HotSoak Features

It's funny... after reading this thread, and seeing the other post about hating the cleaning of it.. I decided today NOT to go with the jacuzzi but to get the soaking tub after all! Our builder will plumb and wire for one - so *if* and *when* we sell - the new owners can get on if THEY like.

thanks for posting this and reminding me!