Any hot tub owners

[billy p]

My wife called me at work other day to inform me she has is thinking about purchasing a new hot tub. Being at work, I told her we'll discuss this when I get home. After further discussions, I told her we can’t just buy a tub without taking into consideration the added cost of some addtional landscaping, having it enclosure(with a pergola or gazebo) because we live your typically new suburban home and your neighbour literally on top of you. Anyway we’ve come to a financial agreement on budget it will be ~13-15k but she doesn't care because she is getting her TUB....

Anyone have any suggestion or comments they would be greatly appreciated, we're still in the planning stage?

Thanks, Bill..

 

[Adam]

Just curious - has she considered one of those spa-type bathtubs with the air jets? Would that give the same experience...but without the landscaping?

Clearly I'm not a hot tub guy. I'm just wondering. Thanks!

 

[markw]

No real suggestions, but be wary of Hot Tub salesmen that drink Chernobli and look like Chevy Chase.

 

[bikemig]

So I'm curious, what sort of music system do you plan on setting up for your hot tub (if you are planning one). What's the best way to set up a music system outdoors?

 

[highfigh]

So I'm curious, what sort of music system do you plan on setting up for your hot tub (if you are planning one). What's the best way to set up a music system outdoors?

Some hot tubs have a head unit and speakers in them already.

 

[markw]

Some hot tubs have a head unit and speakers in them already.

I'd like to get one of those that gives head.

(sorry, just too many straight lines being thrown out here to resist)

 

[billy p]

Just curious - has she considered one of those spa-type bathtubs with the air jets? Would that give the same experience...but without the landscaping?
Clearly I'm not a hot tub guy. I'm just wondering. Thanks!

Hi Adam, nice to see you back posting, I hope all is well.... The tub she has in mind come comes with 50+ jets & comes with a lounger and can accommodate 6-8 people.

No real suggestions, but be wary of Hot Tub salesmen that drink Chernobli and look like Chevy Chase.

Lol...I wish you could have warned me about the movie....

Some hot tubs have a head unit and speakers in them already.

They sure do....some even come fully equipped with a complete A/V experience. Which is why I'm considering running some coax and wires for TV... Saturday night Hockey and Sunday night football outdoors in late Nov/December...woohoo.

 

[Rickster71]

Anyone have any suggestion or comments they would be greatly appreciated, we're still in the planning stage?

Thanks, Bill..

Hi Billy,

My favorite line in your post was...."we’ve come to a financial agreement"
As a married guy I know that's code for, "My wife wants a hot tub and she's getting a hot tub"
A reminder (just in case) to factor in the price of running power and proper grounding to your new tub; it's something best left to an electrician. The Code gets pretty extensive with pools & spas.
Good Luck and enjoy.

 

[billy p]

Hi Billy,

My favorite line in your post was...."we’ve come to a financial agreement"
As a married guy I know that's code for, "My wife wants a hot tub and she's getting a hot tub"
A reminder (just in case) to factor in the price of running power and proper grounding to your new tub; it's something best left to an electrician. The Code gets pretty extensive with pools & spas.
Good Luck and enjoy.

Heh...I wanted it too...but since it was her decision...I now have a trump card. When I decide to upgrade to the new Sierra towers....

As to your second point...NO...cost saving measures with respect to the instalation of the tub or any pending electrical work...it will be done right! Some of the other work I'll do it myself or again, just hire someone and tell the missus to pay em.....

 

[stratman]

Look for ease of installation and maintenance....who's going to install? Make sure they're licensed and insured, sometimes spa retailers have deals worked out with general contractors that do the work at a better price point, make sure you get an installation guarantee from installer in case any wiring comes loose during first months of operation, make sure dealer instructs you thoroughly on chemicals to use and ratios, invest in a high quality cover that can withstand high winds and snow/ice....and foremost READ your owner's manual.

Before you buy take into consideration placement of spa, make it convenient to access it from house, how big of a tub do you really need?, do online research, shop for prices, the way the economy is you can get some good deals.

Make sure all work is done to code, it will save you headaches as time goes by.

Beware the "I can do it for less if you don't go through dealer" contractors....make sure you have a paper trail so you can come back to retailer if there are problems.

 

[3db]

here's what I have.

http://www.sundancespas.com/880Series/Optima.html

I love my tub, espsically after a vigerous workout at the gym...perfect to relax tired aching muscles while sucking back on a pint of cold ale.

Things to look for/avoid;

1. adjustable strength of the water jets. If you have any small/light people, they struggle to stay seated.
2. lounge seats need to have weak jets. The human body has a tendency to float in calm water....imagine having jets lift you up? Personally, I think loungers are useless.
3. avoid useless features like a water fountain (sometime called canons) in the middle of the spa that shoot water straight up liek a fountain. Unless you like an enema..... and pulling the bathig suit back out of your a?? ,

Location prep
1.) One needs a good solid base of compactable crushed stone, at least 8" thick. Avoid the pads that many dealers may offer.
2.) You will also need a 60 amp service to the hot tub. make sure you have enough room on your panel. The electricain I used made room on my full panel by taking some of the light circuits and swithcing them from conventional size breakers to mini breakers.
3.) Many locations require that you have a gated fenced area where the hot tub resides. Make sure you look into this from a legal implication poit of view.

Things you should not do in a hot tub.
1.) get drunk. lounging for 20 minuets in a 100 degree water causes one to dehydrate by sweating the equivalent of a pint of water. Imagine compounding that with alochol? I'm talking from experience here. I'll never do that again. A pint or two maybe nut never drunk.

I hope this helps.

PS< I use mine more in the fall, winter and spring monthes than I do the summer.

 

[3db]

I guess they updated the seating positions on the Optima. I do NOT have a lounger on my unit.

 

[billy p]

here's what I have.

http://www.sundancespas.com/880Series/Optima.html

I love my tub, espsically after a vigerous workout at the gym...perfect to relax tired aching muscles while sucking back on a pint of cold ale.

Things to look for/avoid;

1. adjustable strength of the water jets. If you have any small/light people, they struggle to stay seated.
2. lounge seats need to have weak jets. The human body has a tendency to float in calm water....imagine having jets lift you up? Personally, I think loungers are useless.
3. avoid useless features like a water fountain (sometime called canons) in the middle of the spa that shoot water straight up liek a fountain. Unless you like an enema..... and pulling the bathig suit back out of your a?? ,

Location prep
1.) One needs a good solid base of compactable crushed stone, at least 8" thick. Avoid the pads that many dealers may offer.
2.) You will also need a 60 amp service to the hot tub. make sure you have enough room on your panel. The electricain I used made room on my full panel by taking some of the light circuits and swithcing them from conventional size breakers to mini breakers.
3.) Many locations require that you have a gated fenced area where the hot tub resides. Make sure you look into this from a legal implication poit of view.

Things you should not do in a hot tub.
1.) get drunk. lounging for 20 minuets in a 100 degree water causes one to dehydrate by sweating the equivalent of a pint of water. Imagine compounding that with alochol? I'm talking from experience here. I'll never do that again. A pint or two maybe nut never drunk.

I hope this helps.

PS< I use mine more in the fall, winter and spring monthes than I do the summer.

Hum...maybe the lounge version isn't a good idea....my wife had mentioned they carry the same tub but without the lounger similarly priced. Maybe it's the way to go...my guess...it's her call... They'll be sending out a rep on Monday to inspect the site and give us some recommenations. You've provided me with some other excellent talking points to discuss with the wife over the weekend and we'll need to follow up on Monday.

Thank you sir....


PS: Here is the tub we are consdiering it's the Tuscon or the Sante Fe.

http://www.arcticspas.com/our-products/our-hot-tubs/coyote-spas/

 

[Alex2507]

What's the best way to set up a music system outdoors?

Just move in with Rick.
I'll sell you the address for five bucks.

the way the economy is you can get some good deals.

In Canada there are no good deals on anything ever.

 

[Adam]

In Canada there are no good deals on anything ever.

I disagree. I've only been there once, but when I went, I had cold draft Molson Dry served to me by a smokin' hot waitress. I don't care how much it cost. That was one good deal.

 

[Warpdrv]

3db - that is exactly the same hot tub I have.
Nice Spa with room for plenty but It rarely sees more then a couple people at a time - I love it and its been a very good utility for my occasional back issues....

Sundance makes a very good product and stands up to their warranty issues I have had... Mine had a bad control board, which was changed out, and a faulty jet pump both covered. Only really had to address the head and neck cushions... which are not covered by warranty, but they are a wear item and will need replacing after a few years depending on your chemical usage, which depends on your local water.

Keep those using alot of lotion out of your tub - not good for the filter system and will accumulate around causing a ring of goo over time...

Beware of flybynight spa outfits.... I have seen alot of people get burned. Stick to name brand products - avoid costco or sams club units...

There is a Spa Forum which you can hit up for more info about the units you end up focusing on. http://www.poolspaforum.com/beta/forum/index.php? Tons and tons of great info there for those looking to buy, as well as maintenence...
I was steered away from the spas with lounge as it takes up room and one can't really just sit in a lounge, but that of coarse is up to you...

ARCTIC has one of the best names in the business, albeit not the cheapest price range.... I was down to choosing between the Sundance and the Artics - my buddy sold me mine at cost - so it was an easy descision for me... When I did mine, with the help of my buddy for building the deck - I think my total cost with deck, and electrical was a bit over $10k as I did all the work myself, so no labor costs.

My location for my tub turned out pretty cool, I have a 4 season room off my kitchen and it had a door which led to nowhere with a 3-4 drop to the ground so I ended up building a deck off of it and was able to sink the tub down lower into the deck for easier ingress and egress - I'm so glad I did that - make it very nice not to climb stairs to get in and out. Finished up the deck snuggly all the way around the tub. I love winters in the Tub with the starry skies overhead - keep that in mind before building some obstruction over the top of it... I don't really care for hot tubs that are enclosed, try to utilize trees and natural blockage from the neighbors if you can... My yard is completely closed off with woods so no prying eyes - I'm very lucky in that respect...

The internet is your friend for chemicals and filters or what have you, much cheaper then the dealer.

Another point that should be made which I have never seen discussed is that if this is for physical therapy type scenario - keep in mind that Physical therapists don't like hot tubs all that much. Reason being is that most people use them to relax and then nothing after - what you should be doing is after using the spa - then take the time after to stretch and exorcise before that muscle tissue starts to shrink back and tighten up worse - which can be detrimental....

Good luck on your hunt...

 

[billy p]

3db - that is exactly the same hot tub I have.
Nice Spa with room for plenty but It rarely sees more then a couple people at a time - I love it and its been a very good utility for my occasional back issues....

Sundance makes a very good product and stands up to their warranty issues I have had... Mine had a bad control board, which was changed out, and a faulty jet pump both covered. Only really had to address the head and neck cushions... which are not covered by warranty, but they are a wear item and will need replacing after a few years depending on your chemical usage, which depends on your local water.

Keep those using alot of lotion out of your tub - not good for the filter system and will accumulate around causing a ring of goo over time...

Beware of flybynight spa outfits.... I have seen alot of people get burned. Stick to name brand products - avoid costco or sams club units...

There is a Spa Forum which you can hit up for more info about the units you end up focusing on. http://www.poolspaforum.com/beta/forum/index.php? Tons and tons of great info there for those looking to buy, as well as maintenence...
I was steered away from the spas with lounge as it takes up room and one can't really just sit in a lounge, but that of coarse is up to you...

ARCTIC has one of the best names in the business, albeit not the cheapest price range.... I was down to choosing between the Sundance and the Artics - my buddy sold me mine at cost - so it was an easy descision for me... When I did mine, with the help of my buddy for building the deck - I think my total cost with deck, and electrical was a bit over $10k as I did all the work myself, so no labor costs.

My location for my tub turned out pretty cool, I have a 4 season room off my kitchen and it had a door which led to nowhere with a 3-4 drop to the ground so I ended up building a deck off of it and was able to sink the tub down lower into the deck for easier ingress and egress - I'm so glad I did that - make it very nice not to climb stairs to get in and out. Finished up the deck snuggly all the way around the tub. I love winters in the Tub with the starry skies overhead - keep that in mind before building some obstruction over the top of it... I don't really care for hot tubs that are enclosed, try to utilize trees and natural blockage from the neighbors if you can... My yard is completely closed off with woods so no prying eyes - I'm very lucky in that respect...

The internet is your friend for chemicals and filters or what have you, much cheaper then the dealer.

Another point that should be made which I have never seen discussed is that if this is for physical therapy type scenario - keep in mind that Physical therapists don't like hot tubs all that much. Reason being is that most people use them to relax and then nothing after - what you should be doing is after using the spa - then take the time after to stretch and exorcise before that muscle tissue starts to shrink back and tighten up worse - which can be detrimental....

Good luck on your hunt...

Warp, thanks for sharing your thoughts & experinces....imagine a forum for hot tubs(who woulda thought ...lol). Your right, Articspas are pricy but for good reason they're geared towards the custom spare no expense crowd. Articspa are the parent company for Coyote spas which are less cost prohibitive and more family friendly. Ours was priced out at 9g's which included a hydralic lift...wifes idea...lol. Hey...I would love nothing more to have the view you speak of but our sitution being what it is...the enclosure is a must and it really adds to our overall expense....

Thanks again for taking the time...Bill....

 

[stratman]

this is my hot tub:

 

[Warpdrv]

Tar Baby !!!

Certainly fits your profile pic !!!

 

[3db]

3db - that is exactly the same hot tub I have.
Nice Spa with room for plenty but It rarely sees more then a couple people at a time - I love it and its been a very good utility for my occasional back issues....

Sundance makes a very good product and stands up to their warranty issues I have had... Mine had a bad control board, which was changed out, and a faulty jet pump both covered. Only really had to address the head and neck cushions... which are not covered by warranty, but they are a wear item and will need replacing after a few years depending on your chemical usage, which depends on your local water.

Keep those using alot of lotion out of your tub - not good for the filter system and will accumulate around causing a ring of goo over time...

Beware of flybynight spa outfits.... I have seen alot of people get burned. Stick to name brand products - avoid costco or sams club units...

There is a Spa Forum which you can hit up for more info about the units you end up focusing on. http://www.poolspaforum.com/beta/forum/index.php? Tons and tons of great info there for those looking to buy, as well as maintenence...
I was steered away from the spas with lounge as it takes up room and one can't really just sit in a lounge, but that of coarse is up to you...

ARCTIC has one of the best names in the business, albeit not the cheapest price range.... I was down to choosing between the Sundance and the Artics - my buddy sold me mine at cost - so it was an easy descision for me... When I did mine, with the help of my buddy for building the deck - I think my total cost with deck, and electrical was a bit over $10k as I did all the work myself, so no labor costs.

My location for my tub turned out pretty cool, I have a 4 season room off my kitchen and it had a door which led to nowhere with a 3-4 drop to the ground so I ended up building a deck off of it and was able to sink the tub down lower into the deck for easier ingress and egress - I'm so glad I did that - make it very nice not to climb stairs to get in and out. Finished up the deck snuggly all the way around the tub. I love winters in the Tub with the starry skies overhead - keep that in mind before building some obstruction over the top of it... I don't really care for hot tubs that are enclosed, try to utilize trees and natural blockage from the neighbors if you can... My yard is completely closed off with woods so no prying eyes - I'm very lucky in that respect...

The internet is your friend for chemicals and filters or what have you, much cheaper then the dealer.

Another point that should be made which I have never seen discussed is that if this is for physical therapy type scenario - keep in mind that Physical therapists don't like hot tubs all that much. Reason being is that most people use them to relax and then nothing after - what you should be doing is after using the spa - then take the time after to stretch and exorcise before that muscle tissue starts to shrink back and tighten up worse - which can be detrimental....

Good luck on your hunt...

WARP..

I solved the prying eye problem permanently. I went out nekid once. Thats all it took. I thought I would have to be a repeat offender.. dam i'm fugly.