hot tub virgin

moose_2007

16 years ago

Hello

I'm a new comer to this forum, so I have lots of questions. I've tried the 'search' but not finding definitive answers.

Also a newcomer to hot tubs/spas.

My husband and I are building a house and planning on putting a tub on our deck(yes, our GC will be reinforcing it). We went to the BC home and garden show to check out spas-how bewildering since we don't know anything about them!

We are on a modest budget, not looking for an over-the-top model, that will accomodate a family of four. We decided that most 7' x 7' tubs would be suitable. A must would be ozone(I hate the smell of chemicals). We looked at Arctic. They said they had a salt water-ozone combo, which got to be confusing later on as one exibitor(Coastal) said salt water was too corrosive for a hot tub and another(Jacuzzi) said that there was no way to regulate the amount of chlorine since salt has chlorine in it. Any recommendations, anything we should be looking for in particular?

I noticed on the best hot tub site that noise concerns are also an issue, esp. outside a bedroom-so many things I never thought of(add to that how to get that darn thing up onto our deck-just love the idea of having to hire a crane to do that!)

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Comments (5)

repair_guy
16 years ago
I'd say your best bet is to avoid all spa sales guys as they are all liars....HA HA

Ozone is pretty much a part of most spas. Ozone usually requires a minimal amount of chlorine as it does not stay in the water long.

For sound issues, you'll need a spa that is pretty well insulated and unfortunately, those ones are usually considered upper quality spas. Not a negative thing when you look at overall spa issues. You can certainly avoid the high end units and get quality. Hotsprings is a pretty quiet spa. Dimension One is too but it is pretty pricey. But, it's high quality.

Those two typically require proprietary parts when they break so those costs will be higher. If you can find a decent spa with Balboa controls, that is a good quality operation system too.

While I've not seen an above ground spa on salt, I think the Jacuzzi sales guy was high. A salt system on a pool generates chlorine and is regulated. DUH!

Your best bet is to let the spa folks here chime in and you'll know what to buy. I fix them, hate them all as none are worth what you pay but if was forced to buy one, I'd go with the Dimension One as I rarely fix those. Stay away from the big box retailers and what they have to offer and in my own personal opinion, stay away from Cal Spas because they are the Leslies of above ground spas. Too many things private labeled that you can only buy from them.

I think the crane is your only option. But hey, the kids will love seeing it.
livinwell
16 years ago
Hello moose 2007 - If you haven't heard of trouble free pool, head over to the web site www.troublefreepool.com and post your questions there. They have a category for hot tubs and spas and a lot of good information about chemicals and overall care and treatment of water. You will also find users to ask about the noise etc. My hot tub is in the backyard, not close to master bedroom. I might use it more if I could just roll out of bed and paddle over to it. :) The cycling off and on of your pump is probably somehing that you will get used to, just like people who live near railroad tracks. Hope the site helps and good luck with your hot tub.
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ken_lewis
16 years ago
Arctic Spas has a very strong reputation within the industry and I see very few complaints.
Ozone, the "Spa Frog", and Enhance/Activate will give you an excellent sanitizing system.

Ken

Here is a link that might be useful: Simple Spa Chemistry
moose_2007
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks for your input people! There is so much to consider and research and after shelling out all the money needed for purchase and getting it on the deck and other misc. things, I can hardly wait to jump in!
dgmarie
16 years ago
Try this site for much more hot tub discussion...

Here is a link that might be useful: http://www.whatsthebest-hottub.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?board=wtb-hottub

hot tub virgin

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repair_guy

livinwell

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repair_guy

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