sfoanna

Thank you everyone - I agree with all - can't rely on the straps, alarms nor teaching alone!

Teach your children to stay away. Or fence and gate access to the tub. You could put a stap over the cover and lock it down on one end. P.S. My son is 3 and is a special needs child (although his special needs are very minor/mild), so the teaching to keep away is of course very important, but I cannot rely on it. thanks for the suggestion, I do agree with you.

Teach your children to stay away. Or fence and gate access to the tub. You could put a stap over the cover and lock it down on one end. Hi roger, thanks for your reply. I like the strap idea best. I could install two over the cover. I researched online and found Steelcore - they don't list prices but i suspect well over $100 for the straps. I know I could just check out my local hardware store, and maybe the local outdoor store, and buy metal keyed locks that handle straps - I just don't know where to start to look for these hardware items. I guess I should just pay the people who've already made the straps!!!

Hi, any ideas for how to childproof a hot tub cover? Those plastic buckles are a joke. I am very handy, I could probably DIY if you have a good idea for me! thanks!

Be sure not to "box in" your spa. (ours is and it is a major pain) make sure you can move it if you ever want to clean or service the spa. Also consider how and where you will be draining your spa water. That's 800 gallons of chemically-treated water at least every 4 months. I would personally put in concrete slab with a real drain in it. Go to your local spa dealers and ask them for installation recommendations - they should be able to lend their experience to you!

Okay, I'll be the first to admit that I am a complete newbie.... but it seems to me that the whole spa chemical/sanitizer thing is a bit heavy on the "let's kill off everything that could possibly live in this water". I would love to simply be able to test the water for bacteria (and viruses, and all those nasty things that we're trying to kill), and based on the test reading, sanitize/treat for the actual level of contamination. is there a reliable, fast, easy to use bacteria/nasty stuff test out there? I've seen the Watersafe Rapid Bacteria Pool Test Strips - they're expensive at 10 for $20, but if they work, I'd happily give them a try. i can't imagine a better way to lower your chemical use and cost than to only use what you actually need! Anybody have feedback about bacteria tests? thanks everyone for your wisdom and experience on this forum!

Hi all, I just moved into a house with a 1990 Hot Springs Prodigy spa. It has not been maintained for at least 2 or 3 months. It's full of live ants (under the cover) - and has probably been constantly infested for several years. There are also dead leaves floating around. I would like to use this spa! But, I have very, very, very sensitive skin and I also have a 3 year old. So using a non-chlorine, non-bromine system is the way i'd like to go. From the often dubious info available on the web, I think Cleanwater Blue or 35% hydrogen peroxide is the way to go. I'd love to hear everyone's opinions! I can't move the spa as a stone patio deck was built flush around it. I can trim the ivy climbing up the adjacent wall. Any suggestions for the ants? I am getting a bit discouraged and seriously considering chucking the spa - so expensive and time-intensive to run and maintain, and a chemical soup! Thanks everyone in advance! Anna