hot tub advice?

[dylan]

We're looking at getting a hot tub ready for the fall... anyone have any 'wish I would have known...' items they'd like to share? Probably in the 350-400 gallon range. Still looking around, and online. That big a purchase makes me nervous online, though.

One of the places my wife checked said they don't use chlorine, but a different chemical... sound familiar? Chlorine always makes my eyes itch.

Thanks for any info.

[RSTERN]

Just got one this summer. Instead of chlorine I use bromine, 2-3 tablets a week depending on use.
Rob

[howie777]

Our hot tub has all analog controls. They never keep a consistent temp and it really sucks to go in and find out its only 98 degrees when its snowing out side. Make sure you can set a temp and it will keep it there. Also, it would be nice to have a control panel inside the house too, but that isn't a must.

Howie

[Holydoc]

Just a couple of things to look for:

1. Make sure you have plenty of room for feet in the floor. Nothing worse than stepping on each others toes when trying to relax.
2. Ozonators are great for keeping away fungus growth and keeping down the amount of chemicals you need to add. Works in conjunction with bromine.
3. Have drain at the very bottom of the jacuzzi. If your drain is too high, then when you try to clean it you will have 1" of water at the bottom and sand and dirt which is hard to get to.
4. Easy drain plug access. Most hot tubs will have a small hose coming out of it so that you will not have to open the panels to drain it.
5. easy removable hot tub cover. One with lots of insulation will save you a bundle in heat loss and evaporation loss.
6. Heavily insulated casing. This will hold the heat in and save you on heating costs.
7. Lighting. Lights in the Hot tub allow for those nice times at night seeing your way around in it.
8. Neck massagers. Have nozzles you can direct right on your neck.
9. Good filtration. The better the circulation and filtration of your system, the less you have to clean it. Should use at least 2 filters.
10. Automatic Bromine and Chemical Release system. Though this is a luxury and not a must, I sure like it better than having to remember to add bromine each time or have a silly floater bouncing around touching you while relaxing.
11. Drink holders. You are buying a hot tub to relax. Make sure that you can take a cold one in with you so that you can toast your new purchase.

PM me if you have any specific questions. I cannot live without my Hot Tub and basically use it every night for the last 10 years.

[jacob1]

I hope it is OK that I re post this! I got a little advice with the answers I received originally but I'm to get a few more opinions from others. Here is my situation. My family is looking into adding a hot tub to our pool area. I had considered going scrapping but I think it would be safer to just buy a hot tub new. We love the pool we have but the minute it gets cold, it's worthless so we feel like a hot tub will allow us to continue our use of the backyard through the fall. We live in Kansas City and my neighbors, my wife and I all have no idea where to get them around here. I did see this hot tubs kansas city (http://www.familyleisure.com/Kansas-City/Spas-Hot-Tubs) site while searching but I don't know anything about Family Leisure. Can someone offer me some information? I'm trying to have this settled within the month before snow so thanks for any quick replies!

[steveinaz]

Get a good test kit from Taylor. You can't do water chemistry correctly with test strips. Especially important with spas, as they are a bacteria "pit."

...and I know I'll catch flack on this, but NOTHING sanitizes better than Chlorine. That is a fact.

[tonyb]

but NOTHING sanitizes better than Chlorine. That is a fact.

maybe so for pools, hot tubs are another story considering the higher temps and fumes from heated chlorine. Bromine is the way to go for hot tubs. +1000 on the good test kit too, strips are almost useless.

[evhudsons]

bromine +1, signs designating toplessness ok is a must.

[Rivrrat]

I've had two over the last twenty plus yrs. Both were/are Hot Spring spas, and I believe in chlorine.