Hi,
I live in the north east and I am going to install a hot tub in my
backyard.
Please recommend a 3-4 person hot tub.

My primary concerns are:
Durabaility: Alot of things can go wrong with a hot tub, I'd like to
buy one that runs reliably with the least maintenance.
Good insualtion: to keep monthly electrisity costs low.

Thanks!

<s...@gmail.com> wrote in message 
news:1...@t10g2000vbg.googlegroups.com...
> Hi,
> I live in the north east and I am going to install a hot tub in my
> backyard.
> Please recommend a 3-4 person hot tub.
>
> My primary concerns are:
> Durabaility: Alot of things can go wrong with a hot tub, I'd like to
> buy one that runs reliably with the least maintenance.
> Good insualtion: to keep monthly electrisity costs low.
>
> Thanks!

Little story:

"2nd happiest day of my life was the day I bought my boat. The happiest day 
of my life was the day I sold my boat."

"Boat" can be replaced with "Hot Tub" or "Pool Table".

I would buy an indoor Jacuzzi Bath Tub.

Hot tubs are a hassle to keep the water clean and balanced. Heating the 
water is another story.

I had a hot tub and sold it after 1 year. It had several problems but I 
learned that I don't want a stand alone hot tub. My "new" house (been here 6 
years now) has a pool with a hot tub attached to the pool, and water 
maintenance is a breeze. It has to do with the volume of water. For some 
reason large volumes of water are much easier to keep clean and balanced. 
When the tub gets "dirty", for lack of a better word, I can dump the water 
into the pool and start fresh.

If you do get an electric HT make sure it's a 220 volt. A 110 volt will kill 
you with electric bills. If there is anyway you can get natural gas that is 
the way to go.

YMMV

od

s...@gmail.com wrote:
...
> My primary concerns are:
> Durabaility: Alot of things can go wrong with a hot tub, I'd like to
> buy one that runs reliably with the least maintenance.
> Good insualtion: to keep monthly electrisity costs low.
...

Paint a stock tank black and put it in the sun...

--

 s...@gmail.com wrote:

>Hi,
>I live in the north east and I am going to install a hot tub in my
>backyard.

I just joined the hot-tub crowd last October.    bought a $600 tub off
Craigslist- replaced a pump [$200] and a heating element [$30].

I did the wrestling & electrical work.   You'll need a 50-60 amp 220v
GFCI box installed.   [I agree with the olddog that you're nuts to try
110]    I also added some insulation to my 6-8 yr old Thermospa.

I've got about $1000 invested in the tub itself.    Another couple
hundred in wiring and spa breaker- and another couple hundred in test
kit & chemicals.

The electrical use might be $30 a month.    I've been tempted to buy a
separate meter, but haven't yet.      I keep it at 101degress 24/7. 

I use it every day.   My wife might join me once a week.  Friends come
over use it once a month or so.      We've had a pool for 20 yrs. From
Oct-May this hot tub has gotten more use than the pool did in any 24
month period..

>Please recommend a 3-4 person hot tub.

How about a forum where you can read till your eyes fall out-
http://www.poolspaforum.com/forum/index.php?

Check out both the Hot tub side- and the chemistry side.

I'm happy with mine- but I can certainly see the folks who recommend
'wet testing' any tub, regardless of brand or model.
>
>My primary concerns are:
>Durabaility: Alot of things can go wrong with a hot tub, I'd like to
>buy one that runs reliably with the least maintenance.

I was amazed at how simple they are.    They can leak.  silicone cures
that. Pumps die. They are pretty cheap.   Heaters die- they are even
cheaper.   Electronic panels can fail- but they aren't all that much
on some of the simpler tubs.    I just replaced a jet on my old
Thermospa-- $15. [the simpler ones are $5]

Covers fail & they can cost $4-500.

>Good insualtion: to keep monthly electrisity costs low.

My instinct was to think the ones encased in foam were the best
insulated.  Thank goodness I didn't go that way- mine is insulated
with 2" of rigid polystyrene on the walls, bubble foil on the bottom,
and a decent 3" cover.    Our power went out for 5 days last Dec & the
temp dropped to the teens, but the water never came close to
50degrees.

I *disagree* with olddog on the amount of work.    I test mine every
couple of days now. [I did it daily for 4 months]     It has never
gotten out of hand.      I use Chlorine with every use, shock weekly &
I change my filter once a month [ I rotate through 3 filters], and
have changed the water once.

Less work than the pool- no back flushing, no vacuuming, no skimming &
no liner to puncture. 

Jim

On Mon, 04 May 2009 15:39:15 -0500, dpb <n...@non.net> wrote:

>s...@gmail.com wrote:
>...
>> My primary concerns are:
>> Durabaility: Alot of things can go wrong with a hot tub, I'd like to
>> buy one that runs reliably with the least maintenance.
>> Good insualtion: to keep monthly electrisity costs low.
>...
>
>Paint a stock tank black and put it in the sun...

or for night-time use;
http://www.foundshit.com/poor-mans-hot-tub/
[add fire and beer]

Jim

"Jim Elbrecht" <e...@email.com> wrote in message 
news:8...@4ax.com...
> s...@gmail.com wrote:
>
>>Hi,
>>I live in the north east and I am going to install a hot tub in my
>>backyard.
>
> I just joined the hot-tub crowd last October.    bought a $600 tub off
> Craigslist- replaced a pump [$200] and a heating element [$30].
>
> I did the wrestling & electrical work.   You'll need a 50-60 amp 220v
> GFCI box installed.   [I agree with the olddog that you're nuts to try
> 110]    I also added some insulation to my 6-8 yr old Thermospa.
>
> I've got about $1000 invested in the tub itself.    Another couple
> hundred in wiring and spa breaker- and another couple hundred in test
> kit & chemicals.
>
> The electrical use might be $30 a month.    I've been tempted to buy a
> separate meter, but haven't yet.      I keep it at 101degress 24/7.
>
> I use it every day.   My wife might join me once a week.  Friends come
> over use it once a month or so.      We've had a pool for 20 yrs. From
> Oct-May this hot tub has gotten more use than the pool did in any 24
> month period..
>
>>Please recommend a 3-4 person hot tub.
>
> How about a forum where you can read till your eyes fall out-
> http://www.poolspaforum.com/forum/index.php?
>
> Check out both the Hot tub side- and the chemistry side.
>
> I'm happy with mine- but I can certainly see the folks who recommend
> 'wet testing' any tub, regardless of brand or model.
>>
>>My primary concerns are:
>>Durabaility: Alot of things can go wrong with a hot tub, I'd like to
>>buy one that runs reliably with the least maintenance.
>
> I was amazed at how simple they are.    They can leak.  silicone cures
> that. Pumps die. They are pretty cheap.   Heaters die- they are even
> cheaper.   Electronic panels can fail- but they aren't all that much
> on some of the simpler tubs.    I just replaced a jet on my old
> Thermospa-- $15. [the simpler ones are $5]
>
> Covers fail & they can cost $4-500.
>
>>Good insualtion: to keep monthly electrisity costs low.
>
> My instinct was to think the ones encased in foam were the best
> insulated.  Thank goodness I didn't go that way- mine is insulated
> with 2" of rigid polystyrene on the walls, bubble foil on the bottom,
> and a decent 3" cover.    Our power went out for 5 days last Dec & the
> temp dropped to the teens, but the water never came close to
> 50degrees.
>
> I *disagree* with olddog on the amount of work.    I test mine every
> couple of days now. [I did it daily for 4 months]     It has never
> gotten out of hand.      I use Chlorine with every use, shock weekly &
> I change my filter once a month [ I rotate through 3 filters], and
> have changed the water once.
>
> Less work than the pool- no back flushing, no vacuuming, no skimming &
> no liner to puncture.
>
> Jim

Hey Jim:

I used bromine and never shocked my old ht. That was probably the 
difference. May have been bad advice. We use chlorine now and I agree it's 
easier. We were probably told to use bromine to protect the ht surface.

I had a lot of trouble keeping the PH balanced in the old ht. It's much 
easier for me to keep the pool and hot tub balanced. I throw about 2 quarts 
of muriatic acid every 6 months or so in the pool and that's it. I had to 
check the PH every time I used my old ht.

My pool/ht is very easy to clean. Between the sand filter and the Polaris it 
pretty much takes care of it self. Back washing isn't anything at all.

But $30 a month is pretty good. I doubt it cost me that much but I heat mine 
(nat. gas) as needed. I don't have a fancy ht cover. I just use a solar 
cover. That by itself will keep the ht at 85+ degrees during the swimming 
months. (Central Tx)

BTW: I almost never check my pool anymore for PH or chlorine. I keep (1) 3" 
chlorine tab in the little duck and check the PH about every 6 months. I put 
the free chlorine in 1 a week during swimming months. Once I got the hang of 
it, it's as easy as pie.

So compair once every 2 days to "almost never" and I think you'll see what I 
mean. :-)

od

PS: I do let the pool supply warehouse do checks on my water when I go buy 
my tabs. There is usually no problem but they tell me how much acid to add. 

Jim Elbrecht wrote:

> How about a forum where you can read till your eyes fall out-
> http://www.poolspaforum.com/forum/index.php?
>
> Check out both the Hot tub side- and the chemistry side.
>
> I'm happy with mine- but I can certainly see the folks who recommend
> 'wet testing' any tub, regardless of brand or model.

Thanks for posting the link.

There's a space on our patio where an old wood HT used to live, it got leaky 
enough to make it not worth fixing anymore so it went away.  The gas hookup 
is still there however.  A place we vacation every year has a HT somebody 
else maintains so we love it, looking up at the stars, sipping wine, not a 
care in the world.  These increasingly old bones are thinking a (small) new 
HT might not be a bad idea, hopefully the technology has improved a bit, 
we're sort of looking into it.  Again, thanks for the info source. 

<s...@gmail.com> wrote in message 
news:1...@t10g2000vbg.googlegroups.com...
> Hi,
> I live in the north east and I am going to install a hot tub in my
> backyard.
> Please recommend a 3-4 person hot tub.
>
> My primary concerns are:
> Durabaility: Alot of things can go wrong with a hot tub, I'd like to
> buy one that runs reliably with the least maintenance.
> Good insualtion: to keep monthly electrisity costs low.
>
> Thanks!


i have a bengal river spa that says its for 6 but 4 is more realistic. i've 
had it for 8 years now and no problems out of warranty
it circulates 24/7 so water maintenance is not that bad.  i also have it set 
under a second floor deck so its pretty much covered all the time. this 
manufactuer states it's the best insulated and my guess is it costs about 
$10 maybe $15 a month on 220v.

-- 
C.D 

On May 4, 4:26=A0pm, "olddog"  wrote:
>  wrote in message
>
> news:1...@t10g2000vbg.googlegroups.com...
>
> > Hi,
> > I live in the north east and I am going to install a hot tub in my
> > backyard.
> > Please recommend a 3-4 person hot tub.
>
> > My primary concerns are:
> > Durabaility: Alot of things can go wrong with a hot tub, I'd like to
> > buy one that runs reliably with the least maintenance.
> > Good insualtion: to keep monthly electrisity costs low.
>
> > Thanks!
>
> Little story:
>
> "2nd happiest day of my life was the day I bought my boat. The happiest d=
ay
> of my life was the day I sold my boat."
>
> "Boat" can be replaced with "Hot Tub" or "Pool Table".
>
> I would buy an indoor Jacuzzi Bath Tub.
>
> Hot tubs are a hassle to keep the water clean and balanced. Heating the
> water is another story.

My experience has been exactly the opposite.  I've had a hot tub/spa
for 20+ years now and the experience has been excellent.  The first 10
years, I had it inside.  For the last 13, it's been located outside.
In both cases, I found it very easy to maintain.   I change the water
about every 2-3 months.   After the initial fill, I just keep the
dissolving tabs in a floating dispenser and the water pretty much
stays in the correct range.

I also have a jacuzzi tub in the house, which I never use.   If I had
a choice, I'd definitely go with the hot tub, as I think it's far more
functional and you can share it.




>
> I had a hot tub and sold it after 1 year. It had several problems but I
> learned that I don't want a stand alone hot tub. My "new" house (been her=
e 6
> years now) has a pool with a hot tub attached to the pool, and water
> maintenance is a breeze. It has to do with the volume of water. For some
> reason large volumes of water are much easier to keep clean and balanced.
> When the tub gets "dirty", for lack of a better word, I can dump the wate=
r
> into the pool and start fresh.
>
> If you do get an electric HT make sure it's a 220 volt. A 110 volt will k=
ill
> you with electric bills.

While most spas are 240V and there are big advantages for going that
way, saving on electric usage is not one of them.   You are paying for
power, and except for some tiny losses in the wiring delivering the
power, the amount of power to run and heat the spa is going to be the
same with either 240V or 120V.    The biggest disadvantages to 120V is
that they are built to use a 20 amp outlet, so:

1 - the heater cannot be on at the same time the pump is on high,
meaning to use the jets, the spa won't be heating anymore while you're
using it

2 - the heating capacity is 1/4 what it is at 240V, so it takes 4X as
long to heat it up.  That can be a major factor if you have it outside
all year and want to keep the temp down, then cycle it up before using
it.



>If there is anyway you can get natural gas that is
> the way to go.

I've yet to see a 3-4 person, small home hot tub/spa that uses natural
gas.



>
> YMMV
>
> od

<t...@optonline.net> wrote in message 
news:2...@t11g2000vbc.googlegroups.com...
On May 4, 4:26 pm, "olddog"  wrote:
>  wrote in message
>
> news:1...@t10g2000vbg.googlegroups.com...
>
> > Hi,
> > I live in the north east and I am going to install a hot tub in my
> > backyard.
> > Please recommend a 3-4 person hot tub.
>
> > My primary concerns are:
> > Durabaility: Alot of things can go wrong with a hot tub, I'd like to
> > buy one that runs reliably with the least maintenance.
> > Good insualtion: to keep monthly electrisity costs low.
>
> > Thanks!
>
> Little story:
>
> "2nd happiest day of my life was the day I bought my boat. The happiest 
> day
> of my life was the day I sold my boat."
>
> "Boat" can be replaced with "Hot Tub" or "Pool Table".
>
> I would buy an indoor Jacuzzi Bath Tub.
>
> Hot tubs are a hassle to keep the water clean and balanced. Heating the
> water is another story.

My experience has been exactly the opposite.  I've had a hot tub/spa
for 20+ years now and the experience has been excellent.  The first 10
years, I had it inside.  For the last 13, it's been located outside.
In both cases, I found it very easy to maintain.   I change the water
about every 2-3 months.   After the initial fill, I just keep the
dissolving tabs in a floating dispenser and the water pretty much
stays in the correct range.

I also have a jacuzzi tub in the house, which I never use.   If I had
a choice, I'd definitely go with the hot tub, as I think it's far more
functional and you can share it.




>
> I had a hot tub and sold it after 1 year. It had several problems but I
> learned that I don't want a stand alone hot tub. My "new" house (been here 
> 6
> years now) has a pool with a hot tub attached to the pool, and water
> maintenance is a breeze. It has to do with the volume of water. For some
> reason large volumes of water are much easier to keep clean and balanced.
> When the tub gets "dirty", for lack of a better word, I can dump the water
> into the pool and start fresh.
>
> If you do get an electric HT make sure it's a 220 volt. A 110 volt will 
> kill
> you with electric bills.

While most spas are 240V and there are big advantages for going that
way, saving on electric usage is not one of them.   You are paying for
power, and except for some tiny losses in the wiring delivering the
power, the amount of power to run and heat the spa is going to be the
same with either 240V or 120V.    The biggest disadvantages to 120V is
that they are built to use a 20 amp outlet, so:

1 - the heater cannot be on at the same time the pump is on high,
meaning to use the jets, the spa won't be heating anymore while you're
using it

2 - the heating capacity is 1/4 what it is at 240V, so it takes 4X as
long to heat it up.  That can be a major factor if you have it outside
all year and want to keep the temp down, then cycle it up before using
it.



>If there is anyway you can get natural gas that is
> the way to go.

I've yet to see a 3-4 person, small home hot tub/spa that uses natural
gas.

+++++++++++++++++

Really....hummmm

look up YMMV

but thanks

od