one of the biggest things that is over looked is access to the plumbing or any other parts in the spa. I'm not saying that there all going to break and leak but thats like buying a new sled and saying its never going to have any problems. Stay away from a spa that has full foam insulation and no way to get to anything. I can not tell you how many hours I have spent digging out foam looking for a leak and at $85 an hour that adds up fast.
HOT TUB from a sledders view
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So what kind of insulation do you suggest? It looks like a guy can order them insutaled different in the Cal Spa line. I haven't seen that in any other line of hot tub. Ideas?
Thanks again for everyone's point of views and comments!
I've owned a hot springs spa since about 2001 when we bought it brand new. Other than a few little issues (most were fixed under warranty) I haven't had any issues and it runs just like new. I think the new hot springs now have a stereo built in that you can hear from inside the tub... Hands down if I had to buy another one I would go with the hot springs. As for pricing, good lord how the prices have gone up. I think I paid around $7500 and the model I have was the largest model which officially sits 7 people...
One thing is to make sure you take care of it. I end up draining it once a year, use the shock/cleaner stuff (can't remember the name) and clean your filters. I think proper maintenance will easily increase the life of the hot tub.
Also, my inlaws have a hot springs spa. They had an older one that had a recall on it and before they could get it fixed the hot tub stopped working. After they called the local dealer, within the week a brand new hot tub was delivered and replaced the old one at no charge. As with our sleds, it's all about your dealer in many cases....
I will agree that after a while you will use it a little less, but it is definately nice when you do want to sit in it...
Good luck and enjoy whatever you buy!
One thing is to make sure you take care of it. I end up draining it once a year, use the shock/cleaner stuff (can't remember the name) and clean your filters. I think proper maintenance will easily increase the life of the hot tub.
Also, my inlaws have a hot springs spa. They had an older one that had a recall on it and before they could get it fixed the hot tub stopped working. After they called the local dealer, within the week a brand new hot tub was delivered and replaced the old one at no charge. As with our sleds, it's all about your dealer in many cases....
I will agree that after a while you will use it a little less, but it is definately nice when you do want to sit in it...
Good luck and enjoy whatever you buy!
no kidding about prices going up. Bought a Sundance Maxium in '98 for $5800 delivered and set up. Have had no problems in 10 years other than the air pump went out, but that was an easy fix. We do use it quite a bit, but have found we use the sauna off the master bath a lot more (wet, dry, or steam mist). I find the sauna more theraputic for my back than water beating against it. Also between chlorine, bromine, and baqua spa, I prefer chlorine and adjust ph with common baking soda.
So what kind of insulation do you suggest? It looks like a guy can order them insutaled different in the Cal Spa line. I haven't seen that in any other line of hot tub. Ideas?
Thanks again for everyone's point of views and comments!
Well I sure do like how arctic does it and doesnt put any insulation on the plumbing so finding a leak is easy. All the foam is on the floor and the walls just like youe house is. you wouldnt set your hot water tank out side and plumb it into the house would you.
Used
I bought a big used Cal Spa for $500. Check Craigslist, there are some good deals. Had to pick it up myself but they are easy to move with a couple of buddies.
Can't imagine spending $4000 for one..
Erik
I bought a big used Cal Spa for $500. Check Craigslist, there are some good deals. Had to pick it up myself but they are easy to move with a couple of buddies.
Can't imagine spending $4000 for one..
Erik
I've had nothing but problems with my cal spa. Had two heaters go out on me and have had to replace all the jets since the seals went bad and wouldn't push pressure any longer. I've spent $1000+ keeping this thing running. Bought it brand new about 7 years ago. I used it a bunch the first couple years. Now I rarely use it but about twice a year. If I were to do it again I would spend that $5K+ elsewhere...
....like say a turbo for the sled.
D
dmkhnr
Well-known member
I was sold the baqua spa as well when I bought mine, and struggled with it for several years thinking that it was the best stuff on the market because the spa dealer said so. I'd stear far away from this stuff as you need to be a chemist to get it right.
I now use one of the self release (frog stick) that you put inside your filter. Use a tablespoon of chlorine twice a month, and add the stabilizers per the test strips.
My water is as clear as it gets, and no sticky line around the rim like the Baqua spa.
Around here the spa dealers are suffering. Alot have gone out of business. I bought mine from a big chain that was going out of business (NV backyard) They were advertising 20% off and then another 15% off of that and 0% interest for 1 year, so we got a really good deal on it (I think it was right at $5k)
There was a guy on craigslist that wanted to buy a used spa and had $3k to spend. I contacted him to buy mine, and he was very interested and ready to come look at it. My wife cought on to what I was doing and told me that she'd rather keep it, so I still have it and use it maybe 12 times a year.
I gotta go thru mine, got some jets not spinning around properly and it isn't blowing air like it should.
also I got a problem with the temp control, flashes a "LF" code on the display, any ideas?
Thanks for the tip on the ozone thing, I'll check the bulb.
also I got a problem with the temp control, flashes a "LF" code on the display, any ideas?
Thanks for the tip on the ozone thing, I'll check the bulb.
Never heard of LF are you sure it isnt FL. Either way it sounds like a flow problem. There should be a little deal down by the heater housing that is about 1 or 2 inches around and has two wires going to it, it threads into the pipe, that is a pressure switch. There is a dial on it to adjust how many pounds of pressure it takes to turn the heater on. Try turning the dial counter clockwise about a half to one full turn and see if that gets rid of your FL message. More than likley you might have to just replace the switch but there only about 35 to 40 bucks.
Try pulling the filter first, if the filter is plugged enough it will limit flow, if the code goes away with the filter out, replace the filter. Make sure there is nothing larege that can be sucked into the circ pump before you do this. It could also be a bad flow switch or something in the intake of the circ pump. This is asssuming that your LF is a flow code.
E
Ex-Member
ACCOUNT CLOSED
LF could be Low Flow...
E
Ex-Member
ACCOUNT CLOSED
I see this thread going south............. Ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww
Canadian hot tub..... -One skidder rim - copper piping - tarp - wood - match
J
johnny be bad
Well-known member
thought that was your bath tub there pud?
Hot tubs are like new girlfriends:
For the first year or two, you cannot wait to get inside and enjoy the moist warm feeling.
Then after a few years a hot tub is like your wife:
You pump money in it, maintain it, and eventually lose interest in it, and only take a tub because you feel guilty for not using it for so long.
For the first year or two, you cannot wait to get inside and enjoy the moist warm feeling.
Then after a few years a hot tub is like your wife:
You pump money in it, maintain it, and eventually lose interest in it, and only take a tub because you feel guilty for not using it for so long.
F
fassteddie
Well-known member
looks like fordy and graveler have have some new buddies! that is one hell of a hot tub.