Mobius

iTrader: (2)

We had (in the previous house, before teh childrens) a HotSpring Jetsetter 3-person. I liked it and would recommend it to anyone. In the 3 years we had it we did no maintenance other than a monthly chemical check and tossing in a small spoonful of the preventative stuff each time we used it. We did flush it out a couple of times as recommended.

It seats 2 people in lazy lounging comfort, 3 people require you to sit up.

Having the tub within 7 steps of the door is key. Having some sort of roof over it makes it much more useful in winter, and keeps the towels/robes dry as you live in the lifestyle you deserve to become accustomed to. Energy costs were negligible.

You will want to run a 220 line for the tub; most will not run both jets and the heater simultaneously on 110, and the warmup time from cold fill is much better with 220.

rleete

iTrader: (21)

Well, I bought the 220V GFCI and box last night, online. Local box stores didn't have crap. It also includes a breaker for 110V, which is also required by code.

Gotta hit the electrical supply place up tonight for wires (6 gage) and ground, plus flexible conduit, fittings, etc. Wife said I couldn't buy until electric was in to avoid unfinished projects, so I'm getting started.

Checked out the third place in town last night as well. I really like the Jacuzzi brand tub he showed me, but that one was over 6 grand. Nope. Looked at several others, and found one I think we'll probably end up getting unless something else catches my eye. It was a Mira brand; I forgot the model number.

rleete

iTrader: (21)

Well, it's done. Pulled the trigger on the Hot Spot one. Rhythm, it's called. Acrylic shell in opal, with espresso base. 35 Stainless jets. It also had the LED lighting. It really pops. Yes, I know it's all just eye candy. But to get the features I (meaning the wife) really wanted, which was dual jet pumps, I had to go to the bigger/glitzier tub.

The kicker was the dual jet pumps, which makes for a lot of circulation. Since it uses the same jets as a "real" Hot Springs tub, they are very effective. Better than the Ecco tubs, which supposedly have more power. Better than the Viking, which was only a couple hundred cheaper, because it has the built-in stereo, which I don't even want. Nearly as nice as the Jacuzzi 200 series, which were $500 more. The 300 series was over 2 grand more. Nice, but not that nice.

Hot Spot uses complete fill insulation. It's loose fill insulation blown in all around the tub, filling the base. Reusable if it needs taken out for repairs, recyclable if it gets tossed. Supposed to reduce operating cost significantly, which will be important in the winter. Tub includes ozone generator and titanium heater element. Warranty isn't quite as good as the Hot Springs line, but it uses the same pumps, motors and heaters. It's all just a numbers game.

So, out the door at a shade over $6k. HD cover with lifter and steps included. I got him to double the filters and throw in some more chemicals for the starter kit. Not much, but it helps. Got the check for my dad's annuity, which was nearly half of it recently, making the decision easier.

2-3 weeks for delivery.

Mobius

iTrader: (2)

Nice, enjoy! I really miss having a hot tub. That one sounds like win.

NA6C-Guy

iTrader: (1)

Well, I'm jealous. Good luck with it.

triple88a

iTrader: (2)

Pics of the wife in the tub or ban.

rleete

iTrader: (21)

You've read Moby Dick? Same thing.

rleete

iTrader: (21)

Delivery is scheduled for Tuesday the 22nd. Pics to follow.

Gazebos/shelters have proven to be way too expensive, so I'll build my own. In the meantime, temporary shelter (garage in a box) is due in tomorrow.

rleete

iTrader: (21)

Just delivered. No sign of the electrician yet.

Erat

iTrader: (5)

Jealous.

rleete

iTrader: (21)

Filled, hooked up and ready to rock. Just waiting for it to heat up.

I may have to be late to work tomorrow.

triple88a

iTrader: (2)

Who u kidding? Odds are ure gonna toss water in it and get yest infection.

Erat

iTrader: (5)

Gotta get that PH right.

rleete

iTrader: (21)

Tested it right after filling. Chlorine, shock, some other stuff added. Tested an hour later, right on the money. We're using the spa frog system, so less chlorine.

It's in the high 70's right now. Should be perfect tomorrow morning when I get up. 5:00 AM coffee in the spa.

triple88a

iTrader: (2)

Okay Kramer.

rleete

iTrader: (21)

Well, here it is, 6 months later; time to update the thread.

After getting it set up, I used it nearly every single night for the first 3 months. Sooooo relaxing. Then, we got a spell of nasty cold weather (February), with wind chills hitting the negative 20's and below. Screw that. So, other than a few missed nights, it was me every night, wife about 3/4 that, and the son averaging once or twice a week, at most. He finds it mostly boring. I'm down to about 4-5 nights a week, mostly because I don't think about it until time for bed.

I bought a "Shed in a Box" (10'x10' size) and put that over it. Keeps the wind down, prying eyes out, and most importantly, the damned pine needles out of the tub. Made a base frame out of pressure treated deck boards to keep it square, since I didn't want to pound anchors into the driveway in back. Screwed the tent frame down with conduit clamps, and it's held up well. Got a cheap solar powered garage light for it (eBay), which is just enough to see so you don't trip. The tent steams up really fast, and it's not unusual to not be able to see the person sitting across from you in 15 minutes. In warmer weather (like today), it doesn't steam up so much. Temp is set at 101, which I have gotten used to. Wife still turns it up sometimes.

Salesman was absolutely right about all the glitzy stuff. We rarely turn on the waterfall, and I usually keep the lights off as well. Stainless jets are nice though, because they really sparkle when showing it off. Also, they're easy to keep clean. Acrylic shell looks as shiny as new, and is easy to keep clean, too.

Maintenance is pretty easy. You get the numbers right, and it seems to almost take care of itself. Add chlorine every time after use, and shock once a week. Test everything with one strip (I bought better ones than came with it), just to make sure it's okay. Got it really nasty/cloudy once, but remembered I had neglected to add shock. Shocked the hell out of it, super chlorinated and it came back crystal clear. I wash the filter out every 4-5 weeks with the hose. Changed the frog stick once so far. Mostly I just pour in a capful of chlorine after each time I use it, and it stays perfect.

Since it's been so clean, I decided not to dump it at 3 months, mostly because it was during that cold spell. It has been topped off (4 people means the water gets displaced) several times, but never completely drained. I plan on doing that tomorrow morning, and replacing the filter while I soak the old one in cleaner. Interior will get a quick wipe down and rinse, then it's back to filling it up and letting it heat.

jbresee

We've owned a couple of hot tubs.

We ski a lot - about 40 days a year, so our tub gets used pretty heavily.

The current tub is a hot springs and it has their relatively new salt sanitizer system.

The salt system has made maintenance very, very low. I highly recommend that system.

Also, I agree that the bells and whistles are rarely used. I generally just soak without the jets on and watch the elk from the tub.

Fireindc

iTrader: (13)

"high-five", got about 45 days on my pass this year myself. I see you mentioned a salt system. I really like the idea of salt vs. chlorine. I'm really sensitive to the chlorine and hate the way it smells and how it burns my eyes, so i avoid chlorine tubs/pools at all costs. The local spa has a saline pool that kicks *** though, how hard is the maintenance on that vs the chlorine ones?

rleete

iTrader: (21)

You need to have a tub designed for it, or the heater and other parts will corrode, voiding the warranty. Heaters aren't cheap.

I use the spa frog system, which greatly decreases the chlorine used. It's an extra $100 a year, but it makes the wife happy, as she is also sensitive to chlorine.

rleete

iTrader: (21)

Another update, in case anyone was wondering. Never thought I'd get so much simple enjoyment out of simply soaking in a tub of hot water.

Tub has only been dumped once, and that's over 15 months. It's probably due, but it's still clear and odor free, so it hasn't been high on the list. Filter gets washed out about once every 6 weeks or so. If was more often, but that seemed to be overkill. Spa Frog sticks are about $100 a year, but they make maintenance so easy, and you use a lot less chemicals. Well worth it, even to this cheapskate.

I installed 300 LED light strips, the kind you find on eBay for cheap. I put them along the upper horizontal poles that hold the shelter/tent up. They connect to a waterproof switch housing that is connected by conduit to a small 12V transformer (also eBay) that powers the strips. Something like 2 watts total for about 16 feet of LEDs. They don't shine directly into the space, but rather at the sides of the tent, reflecting in. Not blinding, but plenty bright, and waterproof, just in case. Lights up the tent nicely, so no fumbling in the dark to open or close it. I don't even use the tub lights much anymore.

I didn't use it for about 6-8 weeks when my back was bad, as the heat seemed to aggravate it. But, since a month or so after the operation, I've been back in nearly every night. Sub zero temps meant a lot of steam in the enclosure, but I still went out every night. I find it perfect for clearing my head and letting go of the stresses of the workday.

Bottom line: if I had to do it all over again, I'd buy the cheaper model I was considering before the wife got on board. I need neither the power nor the features of the higher priced one. But I am glad I made the purchase, and wish I had done it years ago.