kellymc62

Our Vanguard is about 1 year old now and we love it and use it every day. The spa is simple to operate and to take care of. The MotoMassage is great. We paid 8000 in October of 07.

Copied and pasted from http://www.rhtubs.com/bbs/FAQ.htm Procedure for Chemical Cleansing Filters: 1. Cartridge Filters: Remove the filter cartridge(s) and either clean or replace. To clean cartridge(s), first use a filter cleaner as per label directions. After rinsing the filter cartridge(s), completely submerge the cartridge(s) in a 1/10 solution of sodium hypochlorite (liquid bleach) and water for two hours. Inspect and clean the filter housing. Set the filters aside for installation after the spa decontamination is complete. Warning: Contains sodium hypochlorite. Causes substantial, but temporary eye injury. Harmful if swallowed. May irritate skin. Do not get in eyes or on clothing. For prolonged use, wear gloves. Note: Baqua users (Biquanide) drain and refill spa before adding any chlorine. 2. Raise the water level in the spa 1/2 inch above the high water mark, and remove pillow if possible. 3. Turn on the jets - all of them - set them to run for one hour. Superchlorination and Neutralization: 4. Add at least 100 ppm chlorine to the spa being sure not to allow the Dichlor to come into direct contact with spa surface before is dissolves. Sodium Dichloroisocyanurate - 56% 6.25 ounces per 250 gallons, 8.75 ounces per 350 gallons, 12.50 ounces per 500 gallons. 5. During Superchlorination, be sure to rotate any diverter valves or other systems to allow water flow through all jets and systems for at least 5-10 minutes in each position. 6. For the first 60 minutes, do not cover the spa with the spa cover. 7. Neutralize the chlorine in the water with 16 oz of Hydrogen Peroxide (3%). Test for chlorine: more Hydrogen Peroxide may be needed. Warning: Hydrogen Peroxide, 3% U.S.P., For external use, topically to the skin and mucous membranes. Keep out of eyes. 8. Circulate the spa water for 10 minutes, during the Chlorine neutralizing process. 9. Stop circulation by turning off all jets. 10. Drain and flush the spa. 11. Clean the spa surface with a surface cleaner approved for you type of spa shell surface. Rinse the spa thoroughly! Water Replacement and Treatment: 12. Refill the spa with water, reinstall the filter, which has been sanitized (or replaced). 13. Follow the startup procedure for your particular spa. Balance water chemistry before use.

Read chem geek's posts too.

Read Vermonter style and Northman style http://www.rhtubs.com/bbs/FAQ.htm

Hi, We just got our HS Vanguard and are really enjoying it. But I worry about my 5 year old swimming underwater in 102 degrees! What is a safe temperature for him if he's going underwater? And is there a fast way to cool it down? We got the tub we did because it holds it's heat- and it sure does! I turned it down to 90 in the morning and at 2:00 it was still over 100! Of course I left the lid down. Is there a way to turn it down during the day and then still heat it up to 102 after he goes to bed? HELP! We only thought about whether or not he could swim and did not give a thought to the heated water. Kelly

Thanks Home prices are going and down foreclosures are on the rise but that median is still very high compared to anywhere else in the country. Maybe 600,000

I wasn't trying to start anything, just having a little fun with the private message we received from Jim. We are enjoying our new HotSpring Vanguard purchased from Chas our local dealer.

Hi Paul, That is a great price for the Nautilus! I'm hearing $10,000. here in So CA. If you have a wife who will be using the spa I would recommend you try the Diplomat as well. I LOVE it. I believe the Nautilus, Diplomat, and the Californian are all 8 foot spas. I float in loungers but the Diplomat has a great lounge made for a woman. We also like that you can have 3 people in the spa and no one is touching each other. I am not sure if that's true for the Nautilus. I wasn't able to wet test the Nautilus because the cord wouldn't reach! We are still looking because we just can't bring ourselves to fork over the 10 grand. I would because I like it that much but my husband, who doesn't float, is happy with other cheaper ones. I don't look forward to using a weight belt everytime I'm in the spa. But I could also live with the HS Envoy. Good luck to you! Kelly

Great photos- thanks for sharing! You did a very nice job designing the site. It looks great. I'm envious! Kelly

Well.... we are pouring a new patio front and back, driveway, front walkway, side walkway on one side of the house. We had a bench and raised planter built as well with flagstone caps. So this project feels like it's taking FOREVER! We just wanted a hot tub! My husband says we should have just bought a soft tub and plopped it right down in the backyard. But the driveway had weeds poking through and it was definitely time to do this. We're starting our 3rd week here on Monday. They were supposed to pour on Monday and now it's looking like THURSDAY! We also realized that although we have a wide enough gate to the backyard to move in a hot tub, we don't have the vertical clearance for an 8 foot tub. BUMMER! I'm not even sure if a HS Sovereign will fit. So we're looking at a crane. I sure don't want a crane on my new concrete. We have a pretty average sized California tract home lot with a 3/2 ranch style house on it. I sure hope the crane can sit in the street and reach to the backyard. Anyways... please post photos of your hot tubs so I can feel excited again and know that the end is in sight! Kelly

Wow! Thanks for posting these photos. They make it seem exciting and not the drudgery it feels like selecting a tub. I'm sick of sitting in my bathtub wishing I were in a hot tub! I love the D1 Diplomat and you picked the colors I would pick so it was nice to see. I just don't love the price so we are still shopping. Was your tub delivered by a dealer? Kelly

Boy.... I'm disappointed here. 37 people have viewed this post and noone will give me his opinion. Come on guys!!!! Kelly

I have been thinking that we have to have full access to the door of the spa. Is this the case? I have been looking at the sample spa installation ideas on the HotSpring sites and they show many tubs that are completely under a deck. How does a technician have access to the pumps etc. if the spa is installed like that? Do they have to drain and lift it up to work on it? I might like to place a spa into our spot with the door about 1-2 feet from a fence or raised planter (20" tall). Is this a good idea? I was imagining it full of water and how would someone get in to do a repair. I know I've been asking tons of questions on this site but I'm really trying to think ahead and make a good decision since we'll be spending a LOT of money. Thanks for all of the help. Kelly

What would you pay for a 2006 D1 Diplomat? The guy is asking $6000. The dealer closest to me is selling it new for $9999.00 Kelly

Hi Jetman, We are right with you in the spa buying process. We are consdering some of the same tubs as you: HS Vanguard, D1 Nautilus, and just now adding the Tiger River Caspian to the list. We wet tested the HS Envoy with a similar result to you. We wet tested the D1 Amore Bay because that is the one that had the water in it. We liked it a lot but it is out of our price range. We wanted to wet test the Nautilus but got talked into testing the Diplomat because that is the one that the power cord will reach to. I just don't understand why they don't get an electrician in there and put power to all the spas! I simply won't buy a spa without wet testing it. We will wet test the Vanguard and I really think we should try the Caspian as well. I am also interested in the Sovereign but not sure if the lounge will work for me. In my area the D1 Nautilus is close to $10,000 but I've read on this site of prices as low as the 6K range. Keep us posted. I'm interested in hearing about your experiences. Kelly