MarkWindsurfer

Hi Markee, Mikey and Spa Guy, The ozonator was fixed and tubes cleaned. The water quality is good and sparkling. But, I am still not able to keep bromide at correct level. I started with cartridge at 2, then 3, then 4. Still no change on test strip. I tried changing to a new cartridge even though previous one was not old. Still nothing. I pulled the cartridge holder out and saw that the water was swirling..... so, is there something in the water that is clogging the bromide ? Can it be some gunk still in the pipes that is in the line going to the cartridges and clogging them up ? any ideas would be appreciated.... thanks! mark.

Hi Markee, thanks much. My Marquis maintenance guy came out and verified that the check valve is gone -- he also said that the ozonator had also failed at the same time..... Further he indicated that the line upstream of the check valve (going to the spa) had water and residues that he needed to flush. I had never used any extra flush during water drain, until this last time when I used the Spa Flush, and it seemed to release alot of residues -- which I thought was a good thing, until I realized that the ozonator had been fried. Should I use something else at the time of water change to flush out system to keep such residues from building up -- besides the "Spa Flush" or maybe nothing at all ? thanks! mark.

Hi Mikey and Spa Guy, The water in the tub is clear, no yellow line -- that was gone after I flushed and wiped it away. I have verified that the ozonator light is on -- glowing as expected. However, I checked the check valve by blowing in the ozonotor side of the valve -- per the instructions -- and is definitely clogged - as you have suggested. So, we know for sure that the valve is clogged and needs to be changed. But, my question is: There is a yellow substance sitting in the clear tube going from the ozonator to the inside of the tub. It sits at the low points of the clear tube -- the tube is coiled, and so I can see it at every low spot of the tube. Is this normal residue associated with the gas and moisture of the ozonator -- or the source of the clog ? -- could the Spa Flush have released released the gunk that have also gunked up the clear line and the check valve ? So, do I have to find a way to flush that clear line of the gunk ? I am a little panicked...... thanks for your help, mark.

yes, I do have an ozonator. The problem started when I changed my water the last time -- I used a spa flush and was surprised to see a yellow film line at the water level. Was this a mistake to use this -- and could this have knocked out the ozonator ? Where do I find the "light for the ozone" ? thanks! mark.

I have a Marquis Epic. I has been great for 2 years. I have always set Br cartridge to 2 and it held bromine level just fine. Now for the past couple of months, the Br levels keeps dropping to nearly zero. I changed cartridge, put in a little powder to get the level good, then within a week the Br dropped low again. Then raised cartridge level to 3 still dropped. Today set to 4. What is going on ? thanks!! mark.

I have a Marquis Epic. I has been great for 2 years. I have always set Br cartridge to 2 and it held bromine level just fine. Now for the past couple of months, the Br levels keeps dropping to nearly zero. I changed cartridge, put in a little powder to get the level good, then within a week the Br dropped low again. Then raised cartridge level to 3 still dropped. Today set to 4. What is going on ? thanks!! mark.

ok, thanks to all for your advice. mark.

All, I have a new Marquis Epic -- I love and have been using it for 2 weeks since receiving it. Tonight I did a stupid thing and closed the cover on top of a small wine glass. It was sitting on top of the filters (over the waterfall). Most of the glass stayed on top -- but some pieces sank to the bottom. I believe that I fished all of the glass out -- but I am sure there will be some small shards that remained. I am freaked out! So, after doing the best I can -- I turned the SPA power off and decided it best to consult with the Forum -- I am hoping that I can run the filter cycle and the rest will get trapped, but I am worried that: 1. Some shards will remain in the SPA that I may step on or sit on. 2. Some shards may go into the pumps and damage the SPA What should I do ? --- should have my tech drain it and clean it - before I turn it back on and use it? or is it ok to run the filter cycle and expect that the shards will be caught? --- I can't be the first one to do this stupid thing, but I am concerned. Please advise asap - so I can use my SPA safely and not damage me or it. mark.

The new Epic has deeper feet wells in the lounger and is ergonomically superior (don't know about the new Reward). I wet tested the 08 Epic and found it outstanding and have bought one...... mark.

I think that $10.4K seems high for a reward -- location must have an effect, but I bought the larger Epic (2008) for just under $10K. mark.

Hi D.P.Roberts, Sorry for the delayed response -- have been working the back yard plan for my SPA. Regarding your question about jets. I wet test 3 D1's that all had spinning jets. They were different than the Marquis, but not really better. I thought I would want to have the Marquis jets changed but then wet tested back to back -- and found that the high flow of the Marquis was great and unique to this SPA -- so, I was not inclined to start changing things out. Also, I noticed that some of the D1 spinners stopped spinning... anyway, I came away no longer convinced that this was really a factor. What I did think, was that for me the Marquis therapy seemed deeper (due to higher water flow?) and I didn't seem to get as overheated -- hard to explain why but I had the sense that I could stay in the Marquis alot longer and get its benefit. Now having said all that, I was highly impressed by the virtual spinners of the Sundance. The jets use a swirl via internal nonmechanical design -- I found these jets very nice -- maybe I was biased that as an Aerospace engineer, I was impressed by a fluid dynamics solution rather than a brute force mechanical one -- but none the less they were very nice -- I just didn't fit into the Sundance. Good luck, mark.

All, I bought the signature series. The dealer was really wonderful -- Pacific Coast Spas -- Ryan Stein -- in San Mateo, California. This is the Bay Area Marquis dealer. mark

All, I went for a final wet test of a D1 Lotus and then went back to the Marquis dealer and re-tested the Epic. The D1 was less satisfying than I had expected -- though clearly a very nice product. I realized that the ergonomics and the high volume therapy of the Epic was best for me. So, I am the proud owner of a 2008 Marquis Epic. My entire search lasted some 6 weeks and I wet tested many models including: Marquis -- Reward and Epic D1 -- Ch2, Amore' Bay, and Lotus Bay Master -- LX and East End Sunddance -- Maximus Hot Springs -- Vista and Gandee 5 dealers in total and some 3 times (Marquis and D1). I agree with everyone that folks have posted -- two key things are: - how does it feel in wet test -- don't be afraid to go back and try again (dry tests are worthless). - how comfortable are you with the dealer -- they will be a long time partner. So, that is my story -- everyone's posts and replies to me especially Mike (aka, IL Parrothead) and Don (aka, Fathead) were really helpful. thanks! I will post a picture when my new SPA is installed..... best, mark.

Hi all, I have been in the search process for about 6 weeks and thought I would post my experience and seek some advice. I am 6'-2" and looking for a therapy spa that will fit me -- not a social spa in particular. I have wet tested: Marquis -- Epic and Reward Hot Springs -- Vista and Grandee Master and East End Sunddance -- Optima D1 -- Ch2 and today the Amore' Bay So I have wet tested plenty! -- Many of these are good, but most don't fit me -- the neck jets hit my shoulder blades - Sunddance despite 37.5 depth and Hot Springs. Though they are both well made. East End gave a great massage but was scary under the hood -- and I would not buy one based on the reports in this forum. Marquis Epic is very nice. Pros: I like the lounger comfort - it is much more upright due to leg well making it closer to a captain's seat with no float - but shoulders are out of the water. Clean design, very well engineered, well known by other dealers for great maintenance record. 2 speeds on pumps is nice. Certainly a very good SPA. Good massage if you move around to all of the stations. Great leg massage on lounger. Cons: -- I think that it is somewhat underpowered with 2 pumps and you have to move all kinds of deflectors to get power to a zone -- only to change it all around to get another spot -- i.e., low back versus upper back. I think that if they went to 3 pumps - and dumped the "tri-zone" it would help alot. Also, it doesn't come standard with spinner jets that I think are very good for a better massage. All major brands have gone to circ pumps, but not Marquis as they clain that circ pump are a big maintenance issue. Finally, there is only one dealer in my entire area - a very nice guy -- very helpful, etc but I worry what would happen if I needed service or parts and he was out of town or out of business. Tonight I wet tested D1 Amore' since the Lotus was dry. Eval of Amore' Bay: Pros: The jet power is very nice -- a much stronger massage than others and with many spinners. It is 40" deep, which combined with the adjustable neck pillow I can finally fit in and keep my shoulders in the water without slouching. It has 3 jet pumps and requires almost no diverters. Captain's seat instead of lounger is very comfortable and lots of jets for excellent therapy. Certainly a more modern looking design. Uses circ pump and silver+ozone (rather than intermittent filtering with bromine). White plastic shell is very comfortable. Biggest SPA dealer in area, clearly lots of traffic and other D1 dealers in area -- so getting service and parts should be no problem. Cons: One speed on jets is unfortunate. Here are some of additional concerns about the D1: 1. Maintenance record of neck pillow -- some people saw that they break, hoses dry out and crack, and are generally clunky. 2. Maintenance record of sequence -- seems like a gimmick that could be a long term issue. 3. Maintenance record of circ pump and Gecko controller -- Marquis dealer says he used to sell them but they became a big maintenance headache -- so gave up on D1. I wanted to wet test the Lotus but it is dry. They had already filled a Ch2 for me and I found it too small -- so at first they were not that keen on filling another model for me, but called me tonight to offer to fill the Lotus. Price difference is minimal -- both about $9500. Sooooo, has anyone else compared the Lotus and Marquis and have some comments. My plan is to wet test D1 Lotus -- if I don't like it as much as I think, I would buy the Marquis. If I do like the D1, I remain concerned about the issues I raised. Any thoughts -- anyone else compared Marquis with D1 Lotus Bay? All comments are welcomed!! thanks for the great posts and advice!!!

ncspa, thanks much for the info about the spinning jets. I will ask my Marquis dealer about these this weekend -- now that I have the info -- thanks! mark.