Thinking of getting a hot tub. Advice please

[joseywales]

I'm baaaackk.....

I had an AGP for 13 years and decommissioned it a couple years ago. I had no issues with upkeep, and TFP's guidance when necessary. Now we're thinking about getting a hot tub. I still have the gas line, which is right where it needs to be for the pool.

We don't travel much and once retired, I'll be home even more.

Were I to be a first time hot tub owner, what am I in for?

What advice do you have on:
Size
Make
Model
Installers

What not to do?

Thanks in advance

 

[PoolStored]

@RDspaguy

 

[Mdragger88]

Most residential standalone hot tubs are all electric-120v or 220v no need for a gas line .
In PA I suspect you’ll be happiest with a 220v tub. One that can heat & run the jets simultaneously.
This will require a dedicated circuit & wiring.

You should shop around (actually sit in some tubs) and decide what features are important to you for how you will use the tub as well as considering your budget.
Example: Just you & the wife or kids and grandkids- heavy use or occasional use etc.
waterfall? radio? Lots of jets in specific places? Loungers? Things like that.
features like ozone can be helpful for frequently used tubs to help oxidize waste but can consume (oxidize) alot of standby fc so not as helpful and a bit counterproductive for those who only use them once a week for example.
The more bells & whistles the higher the cost & the more to eventually break in my opinion but everyone has different tastes.
I personally don’t like molded seats or especially loungers (they drown me because I am short) but every one is different.

*Hot tubs have a much heavier bather load than pools due to the small volume so the sanitizer demand is more intense.
Having 2 -4 people in a 400 gal hot tub is like having a frat party in an average size pool so you must maintain the sanitizer accordingly. This trips many people up at first. Don’t be afraid to properly sanitize the tub.
& do purge with ahhsome as soon as you get it.

This is a chlorine based forum so that’s the sanitizer we recommend although there are guides here for both chlorine & bromine
(They are also pinned to the top of this subforum)

How do I use Chlorine in my Spa or Hot Tub?

If you have a question about any information within this Sticky, please start a new thread for yourself where you will receive very quick responses to your specific questions. Thank you! Introduction There are two main things to consider when maintaining your hot tub water, Water Balance and...

www.troublefreepool.com

How do I use Bromine in my Spa or Hot Tub?

Originally Posted by waterbear There is a lot of misinformation on the proper way to use Bromine so I hope this primer is helpful. First, you need to establish a bromide reserve in the water. Bromine tablets can do it by themselves but it can take literally weeks until enough dissolves. Some...

www.troublefreepool.com

Many chlorine users here choose to have a saltwater chlorine generator take care of the standby chlorine needs and just manually dose as needed depending upon bather load.
Some manufacturers offer their own systems for this and there are also aftermarket drape over systems available.
A titanium heater is recommended for use with salt.
Most spa swg systems use a lower ppm level than pool systems (around 2000ppm).

Budget-
There are $2k starter tubs & $10k+ tubs-
If you’re looking for a tub that will last a long while (10+ years) you’ll want to deal with a local reputable dealer and a well known brand that can offer service incase of warranty claims etc. This will come with a price tag but also peace of mind.
The $2-$5k online tubs can be much harder to obtain service and parts for.
I personally have a “budget/starter” tub & am capable of doing my own service/repairs but not everyone is. It ticked the boxes for price, size, & layout for us not knowing if we’d actually use it. Surprise! We are apparently hot tub people!
Also, Most budget tubs are “full foam” like spray foam,
which sounds great & insulating (it is) but they are a booger to deal with if there’s a leak in the plumbing or otherwise.

That’s all I can think of for now,
I am sure Rdspaguy will have some more really helpful stuff to look out for as well when he comes along as he has serviced many brands & types.
Hopefully these points will help you narrow down your choices some.
Feel free to post some of your prospective choices for more pros/cons as models can vary greatly.

 

[RDspaguy]

I think @Mdragger88 pretty well covered it. I will add a few things to that.
For most people, the dealer is the biggest factor in whether you love or hate your spa. You'll be dealing with them for the course of the warranty, and maybe long after, unless you're @Mdragger88. So a reputable, well-established dealer is often more important than brand. Also, such dealers will generally shy away from problem brands that could effect their reputation.
Test it. Don't look in a catalogue and pick the one that looks best, because you'll hate it. Sit in it, preferrably with hot water in it, and see how you fit. Note water level at the seats, which is well below the top.
Brands vary, but you generally get what you pay for in longevity and warranty. The warranty usually tells you pretty clearly how long it's going to last. Notice how long it isn't for tvs and stereos.
Many aftermarket products and certain chemicals will void your warranty. I recommend that you FOLLOW MANUFACTURERS INSTRUCTIONS while under warranty. Do whatever you like after it's gone or if you don't care, but stuff breaks under warranty, for the high-end long warranty and the 2 year Budget tub alike. Also, servicing it yourself or hiring a "non-authorized" tech can void the warranty in some cases, as will the use of an unlicensed electrician to install.
Full foam is actually a better build than an overspray or thermal wrap, with much better insulative ability, and is a mark of a higher end tub, or at least it used to be. But it is a huge pain to locate leaks and repair, making a less insulated tub an easier and cheaper fix, though it has more problems. This has caused some high-end brands to move back toward insulated cabinets and exposed plumbing.
For first time spa owners, I recommend you shop used or cheap. New toy syndrome is very real, and there is a whole market of people selling that thing in the yard. If you use it and love it, it's easy to stay on top of, but if you become a once-a-month user, your spa will be neglected and unuseable for your once-a-month visit, and will break down (probably around christmas from my experience) and freeze solid (not covered by anyone) while you're still paying for it. Know you'll use it before springing on that $18k vegas party tub.

 

[Gebo]

Make sure you and your spouse sit in different ones to see how they feel. We were gonna buy a great brand but once we sat in it, we knew it wasn’t for us.

70% of first time buyers buy loungers. 70% of repeat buyers don’t buy loungers. (I read this is some study?)

Talk with your local dealers. You will get a better feeling doing so.

Ask your friends that have hot tubs their opinions.

Remember you will have a lot more expense than just the hot tub. Electrical, steps, chemicals, cover, cover lifter, etc.

Listen to these guys and gals here

 

[phonedave]

Wet test, wet test, wet test.

You may think you like certain things (like a lounger) and then find you hate them. That is what happened with me. I thought a lounger would be awesome, until I tried a couple, I hate them. I float right out them, I have to actively work to stay in one. I am so glad I did not get one in my tub.

 

[Mdragger88]

Personally, we have stayed at alot of vrbo/air bnb’s that had tubs so it helped us get a feel for what mattered to us & what we didn’t like. As mentioned, what may fit you perfectly may not appease your spouse so its best to shop together so everyone that matters gets what they want.

 

[joseywales]

I've only skimmed this, but will cover in detail later.

One question, I'm near the King of Prussia area, so if there are any local dealers folks can recommend?

Eagle Pools is right up the road, perhaps they're good. I had a landscape company install our AGP and I maintained it, so not much experience with dealers.

Dealers being key is a common theme, such as with buying a vehicle - and they're ain't many good vehicle dealer near us.

I really appreciate the "wet" advice. I've floated in hot tubs and hated it.

I'll Google what lounger even means...then go from there

 

[Mdragger88]

Looks like you have several others in the area too.
Blue haven,
Spring dance,
& Jacuzzi
Happy hot tub hunting!

A lounger is just how it sounds- a lounge seat molded into the tub. Your legs/feet are out infront not on the floor. They take up some space.

 

[poollifeguard]

Don't forget about the electrical work needed. That caught me off guard when budgeting.

 

[Sailing_Hedgehog]

What people have already mentioned about the Lounge seat is true. I have to anchor my feet in order not to float away but my husband loves it. We just purchased a Caldera Seychelles spa. He wanted and loves the jet therapy. He is over 6 ft tall and I am 5'3" . I have had to purchase some booster cushions for the deep corner seats. I also have been thinking of getting dive weights to keep me from floating! .

Ever since we got it last month, we have had water balancing issues. It is a freshwater salt system and its not making the amount of chlorine it should. This is where the dealer comes in handy. They have been helping us and been available 24/7. They have come out to check on the spa, and my husband has been given a personal cell number texting back and forth for troubleshooting. If all else fails, they may have to switch out the whole mechanism that regulates the salt cells, which they will handle. They have been very responsive as we solve this issue. So, I agree with another person above who said it's important who is nearby to help.

And yes, you also need to factor in the cost of the electrician to install the electrical box for the hot tub. We also did not pay attention to the fact of the frequency of replacing the salt cells - and they aren't cheap. So, make sure to ask all the questions so you get the real cost of the different brands of hot tubs that include all the other "hidden costs", not just the sticker price of the tub. (side note- there was a "sale" where we bought our tub that included speakers, sub woofer and sound system, steps, e-z lift cover for the spa so check on what they can throw in the package when you compare)

I asked my husband if he would still have bought this hot tub knowing now what we know. He said yes. The hot tub jets make him feel much better after a stressful day of work on the areas of his body that feel sore. We get in it every day. I love it first thing in the morning after rolling out of bed. And Friday nights we have the neighbors over. (and careful that the drinks don't spill in the hot tub!) And it's hot as heck outside here on the Gulf Coast in August but we still use it! (We have it under a shade umbrella and set the temp at 95 - because it rises as the sun and heat rise). I am looking forward to when the nights and mornings are cooler. - In conclusion, Think about your lifestyle, and who or how many people will join you. Do you need it for aqua-therapy, relaxation or both? Hope our experience has helped.

 

[phonedave]

It is a freshwater salt system

?????

Kind of like a jumbo shrimp ?

In all seriousness, I'm not sure how that system works. A salt system breaks down salt in the water in chlorine by using a salt cell, the chlorine then does its sanitizing then and recombines back into NaCl and the process starts all over again. The salt does not get consumed.

The salt cell itself consists of metal (titanium) plates that when electrical charged, breaks the salt apart. Eventually these plates get pitted, and/or covered in minerals and stop working.

It kind of sounds like these cartages are replacement titanium plates from what I can find.

I don't have a salt system in my hot tub, but the salt cell in my pool lasts a LOT longer than 4 months. @Mdragger88 has a drape over saltron mini in her hot tub, and she should be able to tell you how long her cell lasts.

Maybe these things are mineral cartages? If that is the case, then they are next to useless.

 

[Mdragger88]

?????

Kind of like a jumbo shrimp ?

In all seriousness, I'm not sure how that system works. A salt system breaks down salt in the water in chlorine by using a salt cell, the chlorine then does its sanitizing then and recombines back into NaCl and the process starts all over again. The salt does not get consumed.

The salt cell itself consists of metal (titanium) plates that when electrical charged, breaks the salt apart. Eventually these plates get pitted, and/or covered in minerals and stop working.

It kind of sounds like these cartages are replacement titanium plates from what I can find.

I don't have a salt system in my hot tub, but the salt cell in my pool lasts a LOT longer than 4 months. @Mdragger88 has a drape over saltron mini in her hot tub, and she should be able to tell you how long her cell lasts.

Maybe these things are mineral cartages? If that is the case, then they are next to useless.

They are disposable cells- they are “supposed” to last 4 months. No minerals.
For some they last & some they don’t. Elevated ch above 75 or so will foul them up quickly.
Yes, It gets expensive to replace the cartridges so most choose to eventually use a different system (like a drape over swcg) some choose to wait until after their warranty is over if they’re worried about that sort of thing.

 

[phonedave]

They are disposable cells- they are “supposed” to last 4 months. No minerals.
For some they last & some they don’t. Elevated ch above 75 or so will foul them up quickly.
Yes, It gets expensive to replace the cartridges so most choose to eventually use a different system (like a drape over swcg) some choose to wait until after their warranty is over if they’re worried about that sort of thing.

Wow, that is one heck of a business model. A salt cell that "burns out" in 4 months or less.

 

[Mdragger88]

Wow, that is one heck of a business model. A salt cell that "burns out" in 4 months or less.

They offer that or the