newtotubbing

There may be some merits to staying with one brand, especially in the more specialized bromine or biguanide systems (Baquacil etc), but this is pure chemistry and the chemicals used are usually in pure form especially pH up and down, DiChlor, and non-Chlorine Shock Oxidizer. Read the chemistry threads well (you have to go up and then over from this forum... this is NOT the chemistry forum and there is one). Personally I like the Dupont lineup at HomeDespot, but I use DiChlor and bleach, and the Dupont sanitizer is bromine... I just buy my dichlor somewhere else... for me my pool supply is cheapest! ...but if you're in the Hommie Depot pick up a bottle of Peace of Mind Spa fragrance ...good stuff. Of course read the labels and follow directions... some of the exceptions I remember are pH down products having additional chemicals like Borates Thanks so much for the info, Sorry I posted in the wrong place. Will check out the other forum....

Sorry another newbie question; My spouse and I are discussing the merits of brands....is it OK to substitute a different brand of the same chemical or should you stay with one Brand. For instance; we are using brand X for all cheimcials and have run out of Alkalinty increaser. Can we use Brand Y Alkalinty increaser? Or should we just wait and order the same brand (dealer is too far to drive too)?? Thanks for all your help and putting up with us newbies!

We are new to the hot tub world and loving our tub (Arctic Tundra). Now after doing web searches we are wondering on the purchase of supplies on line. Has anyone had any experence with "National Discount Pool Supplies.Com" or any suggestion for online purchases? Would love to hear your input. Thanks

Wet test, wet test, and then wet test... Thanks we are going to wet test both the end of the week! I would literally wet test them back to back rather than test one and then the other a few days later. Let us know how that goes because that means more than anything we say at this point. You'll find plenty of satisfied owners of each of these brands so that wet test. Add to that your comfort level with your dealer (his experience, your feel for how helpful he'll be with issues, how long in business and your feel for his longevity, etc.). Those two will trump anything we can say since these are reputable brands. Make sure the pricing you get is all inclusive. You don't want to have to add items after the sale (lifter, steps, chems, subpanel, ozone, etc.) as it's more costly to do it that way. More great advice, we were not planning on wet testing back to back, but WILL do so...Thank you so much! We hope to be happy hot tub owners soon! Thanks agan! The Wet tests went great and we decided to purchase the Arctic, we are so excited. Working on electric, tub will be delivered and installed next week. Thanks for all your opnions and look forward to a long wonderful life with our new tub! The new tub has been delivered and up and running. Love it! Been hot tubing daily, mornings are great! afternoons are wonderful but the evening, the tub lights are my favorite by far. Wonder if you have any suggestions on lotions for after the tubing experience. Something that works with the body and the tub chemicals. Cool winter, warm water, showering after, I see dry skin on the horizon.....

as I learned on this forum you should wet test any tub before you consider it.Just my opinion. We checked out the bullfrog, thought they were great and were in top running for our money...

Wet test, wet test, and then wet test... Thanks we are going to wet test both the end of the week! I would literally wet test them back to back rather than test one and then the other a few days later. Let us know how that goes because that means more than anything we say at this point. You'll find plenty of satisfied owners of each of these brands so that wet test. Add to that your comfort level with your dealer (his experience, your feel for how helpful he'll be with issues, how long in business and your feel for his longevity, etc.). Those two will trump anything we can say since these are reputable brands. Make sure the pricing you get is all inclusive. You don't want to have to add items after the sale (lifter, steps, chems, subpanel, ozone, etc.) as it's more costly to do it that way. More great advice, we were not planning on wet testing back to back, but WILL do so...Thank you so much! We hope to be happy hot tub owners soon! Thanks agan! The Wet tests went great and we decided to purchase the Arctic, we are so excited. Working on electric, tub will be delivered and installed next week. Thanks for all your opnions and look forward to a long wonderful life with our new tub!

We decided to go with Arctic after wet testing.We bought the cub model.We wet tested hot springs tubs too,cant remember which models& felt that we floated around too much.No one can tell you which one is good for you....test yourself.I can say though the arctic tubs have a rougher type surface that did the hot springs & we liked that.Weve only had it for 5 days so time will tell how it goes.The electric usage I hope wont be as bad as I,ve heard.I dont think that theres a perfect tub out there so do as most of the good people on this forum say...wet test. good luck Thanks to all....wet tests are set up for tomorrow, will post after!

Wet test, wet test, and then wet test... Thanks we are going to wet test both the end of the week! I would literally wet test them back to back rather than test one and then the other a few days later. Let us know how that goes because that means more than anything we say at this point. You'll find plenty of satisfied owners of each of these brands so that wet test. Add to that your comfort level with your dealer (his experience, your feel for how helpful he'll be with issues, how long in business and your feel for his longevity, etc.). Those two will trump anything we can say since these are reputable brands. Make sure the pricing you get is all inclusive. You don't want to have to add items after the sale (lifter, steps, chems, subpanel, ozone, etc.) as it's more costly to do it that way. More great advice, we were not planning on wet testing back to back, but WILL do so...Thank you so much! We hope to be happy hot tub owners soon! Thanks agan!

Wet test, wet test, and then wet test... Thanks we are going to wet test both the end of the week!

After much research we feel we have narrowed down the choices to Arctic or Hot Springs. Any feed back I can get would be very helpful before we take the plunge both figuratively and literally.