Hot Tub Experiences?

[NVBigBlue]

I got a used one off of Craigslist a few years back. The cost was right (free for removing). Hired a couple of my sons friends and we lifted it out of the hole it was in (hole was cinder block lined and had a concrete bottom) and hauled it home. I had to repair the water lines between the tub and the heating/pump unit (had to cut them to remove the tub), and I had to replace the air tubing between the control panel and the control unit. And I had to replace the heating element (the reason they wanted it gone...) I think I spent about $20 on everything. I converted a large dog house (never used) to house the heater/pump. I wired it for 220, but something in the control unit was bad, so I could only get it to run on 110, so it either was heating (with the circulation pump running) or not heating, but running the high pressure pump. It also had an air blower (the bubbler), but we hardly ran that because it was so loud. This tub was an older, round unit with simple bench seating and only had 6 jets. I believe it was only 325 gallons.

For the simple pleasure of just soaking in hot water, this is one of the best 'investments' I've ever made. Soaking in it while having a glass of wine, with the snow gently falling, watching the world go by.... priceless. I don't think I've ever slept better than after having a good, hot soak. :thumbsup:

With heavy use (all the kids and us) I had a heck of time keeping the PH levels correct. We had to enforce a standing rule.... if you didn't have any kind of sun screen or any type of lotion on, a quick rinse in the shower before getting in. If you had any of that, you had to go wash it all off in the shower first. But with just 2 people every other day so, it wasn't too bad.

It had an uninsulated cover, but I got a floating cover for it. Basically a big piece of heavy duty bubble wrap that you cut to shape. That made a huge improvement on keeping the temp up.

We ran it year round for about 3 years. It only increased our normal power bill by about $10~$15 a month. But again, it was only running on 110.

Unfortunately, it got shut off during winter one year and the pump froze and broke the housing and the filter housing. We looked at getting a universal replacement unit for it (about $500 IIRC), but we decided to get rid of it and get a new tub at some point. I ended up using a chain saw to cut it into 4 pieces and take it to the dump.

I've been deployed for ever since, so we don't have a new one yet, but this will be one of the first things we get when I get home. :cool2:

Get a good testing set for checking PH, etc. and I would recommend getting a dedicated set of shorts for it. Otherwise you can end up bleaching your favorite shorts. :laughing:

If you've never balanced water before, make small adjustments with your chemicals. It's easy to make the PH too high, which can cause skin irritations. Also, make friends with your chemical guy...they have probably seen every issue you can have and know how to fix them and can turn you onto cheaper alternatives for chemicals....

NV

 

[check]

I have one at the cottage, and I wish it were at my home. It takes a lot of electricity to heat it in the winter, and we are not up that much. Had to buy an automatic standby generator since the power goes out fairly often.

The biggest problem is that the hot tub is made by Dynasty, and they insulated the tub itself, and not the cavity. So, while the water in the tub stays warm, the water in the pipe is exposed to freezing if the power is off. The pipes are outside of the insulation but inside the (non-insulated) hot tub cavity. Bad design!

 

[OZisKTB]

I bought a 6 person Sundance from Habitat for Humanity store. Got it in 2011, was a 2002 model with install and guarantee for $3000. New is $11,000.

My learning points. Best buy I made with my new home, lover sitting in it after a long day on the tractor or in the snow.

We switched to Pristine Blue instead of Bromine or Chlorine. Much easier to maintain, easier on the people and tub.

My real key to success is the relationship we have with our dealer. Being able to get validated water tests, advice and especially repairs on our older tub has been our success. We're near nothing, they still get in and fix the darned thing when it breaks. VERY similar to my old tractor, without a dealer who gets things done I'd never get to use it.

We like our so much, we're ready to go for the same large size in a new model. We rarely have more than 4 in the tub, ususally just two. But when the kids show up, we're glad we have all the room.

 

[Grateful11]

I know this thread is old but how do you folks about hot tubs today?

We're looking a Nordic, suppose to be simple, not a lot of bells and whistles and some built like a tank. I like the idea of the DTS, whirlpool action of all their tubs plus the reg. jets. They have a very good warranty. Prices are quite a bit better than the highend tubs.

Nordic Hot Tubs - Home

 

[Deere Dude]

Bought a new one, a nice one in 2000 and paid $6000. I was in it a lot and found my dainty *** skin can't handle the chemical. Left empty for 4-5 years and sold it for $1500 and was lucky to get it.

If I was to buy one for outside I would find a good used one and let someone else take the hit, then you could sell if for what you probably paid for it. For me they seem hard to sell.

 

[davesl708]

I know this thread is old but how do you folks about hot tubs today?

We're looking a Nordic, suppose to be simple, not a lot of bells and whistles and some built like a tank. I like the idea of the DTS, whirlpool action of all their tubs plus the reg. jets. They have a very good warranty. Prices are quite a bit better than the highend tubs.

Nordic Hot Tubs - Home

I would not be without my hot tub. All the aches and pains go away and I sleep much better.
I have a Hot Springs Spa but have had five warranty calls in four years. The cover is shot in three years and at $600 to replace I am not happy about. The cover only came with one year warranty. Between the controls, leaks and failing moto-massagers I could have bought three cheap hot tubs and thrown them away every five years and would have had a lot less trouble.

 

[mbohuntr]

We bought a Masterspa new from the road show about 4 years ago. Loved it! No issues, and cheap to run. The cover was shot in three years, but otherwise no problems. We sold it with the house, and I'm kinda glad because it ran for 4 years, and things wear out. I'm guessing the pump or heater will go and I wasn't looking forward to tearing into it in sub zero weather....

 

[daugen]

As the OP I apologize for not coming back and letting you know where this went.
I don't have a lot of choices as to where to buy these things locally and the Caldera brand out of California
was represented locally. I bought their smallest Kuai model, 3 person, 175 gallon, primarily because it fit almost perfectly
in the corner of the existing rear porch where I wanted it. In a private corner pretty much out of sight of anyone.

The Caldera is an expensive product, but the insulation package and the fit and finish sold me. And I've been quite happy with it.
In more than a year, I have never had to add one drop of water. I find that amazing. Sometimes I think it's making water...
The cover is so well made and it really holds in both the heat and humidity I guess. Minimal electric expense, under 20 bucks a month, though initial wiring by electrician cost a bunch due to a separate large line which needed to be run. I have a whole home backup gen and the hottub gets disconnected automatically.

The cover is a bi-fold that tucks down behind the end of the hot tub. Clever engineering, but if it got yanked on the wrong way, I could see things bending. But equipped with one of my old boat lines, so I can more easily close the top, it has worked very well for me. I put a coat of 303 on it when I got it, reminds me it's time to do it again.

I test with little dip sticks and bromine shock it once in a while, plus change the water every two months. I live alone and I'm careful not to go in with sun tan lotion on or if I'm really cruddy. So I haven't given it what I'd call a family torture test.

I found that most of the Canadian companies were top rated since they knew they had to insulate their products very well to withstand use in subzero temps.

 

[Grateful11]

Thanks daugen for the updating the topic. You picked a good one from what I've read. There are several Caldera dealers in my area of NC but they are pricey. But then again I've heard nothing but praise from their owners. My problem is I find most hot tubs aren't deep enough for me, 6'1" and 30" inseam, kind of disproportionate.

What all do you coat with the 303?

 

[daugen]

What all do you coat with the 303?

the vinyl top of the cover, not the unit.