VWAffe

Thanks for the replies. I've read the threads on the 2&3-step bromine and the dichlor/bleach method. Since it promises to be the cheapest overall, I'll probably start with the dichlor/bleach method and see how it goes. If it turns out to be too fussy, I can always add a salt cell to the mix to lower the maintenance demand. I honestly have no idea how often we'll use it... it may get a lot of use or very little once the novelty wears off. If I do add a chlorine generator, it would be to do exactly what you describe - maintain a background chlorine level to lessen the daily maintenance demands when the tub isn't in use. I'd already figured out that a salt cell generator will not replace the need to manually bump chlorine after a soak. I like the summary of when an ozone generator would be useful in a chlorine system... based on your info, it only seems worth it to replace it if we end up being heavy spa users. I think I understand correctly that with a chlorine system, a salt cell and ozone generator could be used together, but each one has an ideal application, and times each wouldn't be advantageous. I'll start simple! Cheers, Nate

I'm about to resurrect a 2001 Mountain Spring Spas ~400 gal 7-man tub. It's in good shape except for some jet internals and needing some TLC - but this is my first hot tub and I'm on the fence regarding using bromine or chlorine. I'm leaning towards a chlorine-based system for overall cost, cleaner feel, and for a longer-lasting fill, but would like to use a salt-water-based chlorine generator to reduce the demand for a daily water maintenance regimen. I'd be using a drop-in generator as our tub doesn't have a 24-hr circulation pump. What's the life expectancy of a typical chlorine generator cell and how does the cost of pool salt and the cell compare to the cost of using only dichlor/bleach for the same length of time? I'm willing to pay some for convenience, but don't want to break the bank. (I'm looking at the Solaxx system - gets good reviews and is the cheapest at $180 for the controller and first cell, and replacement cells are $100.) I honestly have no idea how often we (1-4 of us) will use the tub, but it may be as few as one to a few times a week. Also... the tub is equipped with a (certainly-defunct) ozone generator... if I used bromine, I'd certainly replace it, but is it a good idea to use it with chlorine? If I read correctly, it not only oxidizes contaminants, but also chlorine... so I assume that if it's a good idea to use it to oxidize contaminants, it would run less often in a chlorine-based system than in a bromine-based tub (where it does double-duty to create bromine from the sodium bromide reserve in the water) Thanks!!

So I'm resurrecting a 2001 Mountain Spring Spas Classic model 7-8 person tub (I think the company is out of business now) and it needs some jet internals. Besides a dozen broken/missing jet nozzles, the only mechanical piece that's suspect is the ozone generator, but I'm leaning towards going with chlorine anyway, so I may spend that money on a drop-in salt water chlorine generator. I've been able to determine that I have all Waterway jets. All but one are adjustable, snap-in mini jets. I'm going to replace/lube all the flow control o-rings (I bought a wrench), and I intend to replace all the missing/broken back jets with the pulsator style, but that leaves the five jets on the floor of the tub... four foot jets and one central large jet, which brings me to my questions: 1. The four foot jets in the bottom center of the tub are the larger snap-in mini jet style. Any thoughts/recommendations on those? The old ones were also the pulsator style. 2. The large central jet body is a Power Storm. I believe that Mountain Springs put an "Old Faithful" jet in this spot in later models. Which Power Storm would you all recommend? I'm thinking the directional one to create a large upflow in the center of the tub, but am looking for opinions. It's the single most expensive jet in the tub, so I only want to buy one. What a steep learning curve, but it's so going to be worth it once the tub is cleaned, sanitized, and ready to use! Thanks!