Pools94 - Man, would I love to see a photo of THAT! It never occurred to me I could put a hartford loop in the spa wall! It'd have to be close tolerances to be sure to be above the water and below the coping, but I can see how it could be done now that you put me onto the idea. I'm just now puzzling out whether or not I can even HAVE air. For one thing, my pump Must be set up below the water line, and about 35 feet away. I know the advice is to have the air blower above the waterline, but it's just not possible here. I'm putting the electric heater in a gazebo basement to avoid freezing and (if I have a blower) it'd have to be in there too. Now you've got me thinking I could have venturi air without topside air valves? I considered not having air at all because I don't like the looks of those valves. How do you turn the air on and off while using the spa? Can you? Please go into more detail of how you did this; I'm doing a DYI cinder block spa using Gene Trumbal's book and video. In the attached photo you can see my spa project outlined in the dirt. I've spent the past 12 years building this house and brick oven gazebo. The spa is the final big challenge.

Funny you mention that, as it turns out upon completion of the project, while filling the spa i noticed that two of the lower jets don't work at all. In fact they are actually sucking water in filling the air line rather than blowing water out. I brought this to the attention of my builder and he was initially stumped, then thought the jets might be clogged. We removed all of the jets, still nothing. His diagnosis now is that he somehow forgot to hookup these two non-working jets to the water supply line. Of course i've already paid him, and he's given me the option of plugging the non-working ones and taking some money back, or fixing it now, or after the summer which would involve tearing into my spa to connect the two that don't work. Needless to say i'm at my wits end with this guy, its been one thing after another and we really just want it to be over but i want it done right. I'm starting to wonder if its even possible. Advice? Thanks for all your help, ~Tim

There is no problem adding a gunite spa to your existing pool. A structural engineer should be consulted to layout the specifications to allow for this. And an experienced builder to perform the work. We have added concrete benches and steps to concrete pools as old 50 years without any issues. Another option are pre-made fiberglass spas designed for adding to existing pools. We have installed many on both concrete and vinyl pools. There is a company in Orlando that manufactures them-even with completed plumbing. Piping will have to be run to the pool equipment from the spa which means removing a portion of the patio to do so. The patio, of course would have to be re-set. An additional pump for the jets and if desired an air blower for more bubbles. Cost varies in different states-sorry cannot give you a ballpark based on your location.

I think getting some comments from people that have this set up is worth it. I find a stand alone hot tub a nicer idea especially with kids and yes we need to see an overhead shot but I think a 14’ long spa is going to be a huge drain on heating $$$$. So post a to scale plan of the whole area too.