Deus66

#1. My advice: Stay away from #1 it can be really expensive! I know several people who have ditched it for that reason. #2. I use #2 although have used just chlorine in the past and it works well too. I like Bromine because I can just leave the floater in there and not worry about it as much. #3. Looks bright and shiny, probably a lot more $$$ than just plain ol' chlorine. #4 Completely agree with Imnay..."redundant". BTW your dealer is going to charge you a premium to buy those chemicals in his store. Take some friendly advice. Read these forums, and your owners manual. Go to www.spadepot.com and save a lot of money by ordering your stuff from them. That is what I did, and I save 50%++ on everything I buy when compared to any local spa dealer. Just an FYI I'm sure several dealers will post in here about how your dealer will know about water conditions in your area, and how they can get your water balanced..and....blah blah blah.... anyone that can read can get the chemicals right, and no it isn't some magical mystical skill that only spa dealers have. Hope this helps!

Just get some "Mighty Putty" that Billy Mays guy says that stuff is the bomb! ...lol

My patio is 18x24 and it has "rebar only" and is 4" thick. I have a 450 gallon tub that has been on it for almost a year, and I haven't noticed any cracks that weren't there before (normal for concrete). Enjoy it!

First Off Lighthouse206 "Give Em' Hell" God knows I've tried for months and given up posting. These dealers and techs want us to believe that PVC pipe, a pump, and Chem. 101 is some kind of magical mystical force that only they can understand! I own a Costco tub, and since it was my first, I didn't want some $10,000.00 tub that I might not have enjoyed. In the future I may purchase a more expensive model, but I am happy with my first time out Costco tub. As for KIALDA I saw the rank of that user is a "Spa Savant" should be "Idiot Savant" only because the post was so negative! My God what is wrong with people in here, when someone wants to defend their point of view about something that they get slammed? Moron KIALDA, back off! Get over it people, Costco sells good products with the best darn return policy you could ever dream of. Sure some of the Spas they sold in the past had issues, that’s why those spa companies have been bought/sold/bankrupt/etc... I haven't posted in months here because of these negative attitudes by the "Elite" spa professionals. Keep up the fight Lighthouse.

I know when I was looking to buy my spa, I saw several used tubs. All were at dealers, all were taken as trade-ins. Most were around the price range you mentioned, and all about the same age. Not sure about he models I saw, but I know that Tiger river (hot springs) is a good manufacturer. I ended up going with a new tub because the extra money was worth it for me to have the extra warranty / peace of mind. I've only had my spa since May, and I haven't had any problems (knock on wood). I know I have that 5 year warranty to fall back on, if I have any problems in the furutre. If it were me I'd get some kind of extended (longer than 30 days) warranty if they offer it, you never know what might go wrong with a 6 year old spa.... but from what I saw, the price is about average. Hope this helps.

My opinion is different from most of the others I read here. I wouldn't place as much weight on the dealer as I would the product. Would you buy a Honda Accord, from a dealer (not the best) if the price was a lot cheaper than the dealer across town.....Who wouldn't? Your talking about a lot of $$$$ for the same thing. The warranty is the same no matter where you buy it. I would say get the most spa for your money, as long as it is the spa you want. Personal comfort is the most important thing when buying a spa, and price comes in second everytime. As I found in my search, price can vary a lot between dealers. If you have multiple dealers in your area, I'm certain you'll see that. Take your time and bargain as much as you can, remember your dealers 401K took a hit too last week, maybe he'll be willing to give you a better deal to keep a sale!

Since you have double checked the wires, and found nothing wrong, it's probably a little more complicated than that. Best thing you can do at this point is call someone with the proper testing equipment (electrician) to find out what the problem is. (like Dr. Spa posted) I have heard stories about concrete conducting electricity, and it could go back as far as the rebar used in your slab and how it is placed, what it is touching (as an example)..... Another suggestion that might cost less than an electrician to repair it may be to place you spa on some pads like these Spa pads. Just put them under your spa to insulate it from the concrete slab.

RTFM.........................

As for going for a soak in the nude....Anyone have any pictures?????

Alright, here's what I know, and what I did. First off, if they can run any of the wire through the attic it'll save you $$$$$, trenching is very expensive! Mine was about 75 feet, all through the attic / crawlspace, and then just a bit outside to the GFI and then to the tub. Total cost was $750.00 by a lic. electrician. I had to call around and get a few quotes before I found one I thought was right. Some seemed way too low, others way too high. IMO you need to keep calling until you find someone who'll come out and look at it then write up an estimate! I gurantee if they say $1500 it'll cost $1500 whether or not it was a legit qoute! You are laying out big bucks for this spa, and want it done right, and don't want to get ripped off. The proper procedure would be for a qualified electrician to explain what parts are required, what they cost, and why, before you agree to a price...If you do it yourself, make sure you know what your getting into, and have everything you need before you start.

Look, To microban or not to microban ......Who Cares? You'll put so darn many checmicals in there anyway it won't make a bit of difference. BTW just picking...but mold in a fungus...not bacteria.. I doubt microban would work on fungi, they grow in a different manner than bacteria.

I went for the light grey siding, light grey steps, light grey cover and light grey concrete...... Shoot now I can't find the dang thang......lol

OMG Bose? Polk Audio? hello it's a spa! I got one with a sony system that I can use my Sirius with. I have my high end sound in the house where I use it. Remember that out door sound is mixed with everything else too. I'd say get the best system you wouldn't mind some kid knocking off the table, or getting it splashed with water. What ever happened to just listening to the sound of nature while taking a soak... BTW before you buy anything, make sure your neighbors won't call the home owners assoc. on you for disturbing them with your spa muzak! .... lol

It's a good thing your getting started early. Do your research.... I got a spa from Costco (a lot of folks will disagree with that) but I didn't buy a site unseen spa from a 2x2 picture on the net. I bought one "in store". It's made by a well known manufacturer that occasionally makes a "price point" model for a big box store. My point is, several of the higher end manufacturers will sometimes sell a model through a big box store (for whatever reason) and you can find a great deal. You just have to be commited to buying before you find a deal like that. If you say "well that's nice maybe they will still have them in a month" ... they won't. And BTW when it is time to buy, don't let those dealers hold your feet to the fire.... They can be like used car salesman.... Yes there is always a better price they can give you!

Yep, my thoughts exactly! It's not that taking it off is hard, but putting it back on is so much easier with a lifter..... Buy IT!

Well on a lighter note, leave it to "Roger" to completely ruin someones day........lol... Joke, I beleive you are correct about the food, water, etc..... I personally used the Copper / Silver ion methods, and it was very successful until I got a painful (although) superficial Pseudomonas skin infection. No antibiotics required, it went away completely in about 2 weeks. That was just enough time to drain / clean / refill / and then keep it sanitized properly with dichlor.....I would throw that crap (Copper / Silver ion's) in the trash and order Bromine or Chlorine (dichlor) and follow the instructions on those chemicals. They diminish rapidly and are not harmful to the environment once depleted. One more thing, I know for a fact that those systems say to shock with MPS after each use, and with dichlor weekly (probably every 3 days though). The ion's will not kill the bacteria rapidly enough to keep that "Petri Dish" you soak in sanitized for very long at all. As someone who studies microbiology I know how difficult it is to get a sufficient exposure to Pseudomonas in order to produce an infection. What I didn't realize was my "clean smelling, crystal clear water", had more than enough of those little water Nazi's growing in it to infect me. Have you thought about how you'll kill those water Nazi's (bacteria) growing inside your pumps, heater, hoses, and plumbing by just draining and refilling. You'll have to get some shock into those areas to keep it clean, or draining and refilling will do you no good! Bacteria that can be found in water are some of the worst you can ever be exposed to. If they can live in water, they can live in your body! You should google "brain eating amoeba" and see how many infections of this deadly disease occur each year in the U.S. Although mostly from pond / lake water, spa's and pool's with insufficient chlorination have been linked to deaths..... that is an extereme and rare example, but lots of infections and disease occur regulalry from poor sanitation. Just an FYI! Last but not least! the water from the tap is not "pasteurized" or sterile, so even though it is safe to drink, anything living in it will rapidly multiply once in the nice warm, nutrient filled perti dish on your back porch. I am not trying to "preach" at you! As someone who tried those ion's and found that they don't work, I am trying to give you honest advice. If thay had kept my water clean I'd say so, but they didn't. It was just my wife and I. We both shower prior to soaking (as always) and trying to keep the water as clean as possible. My spa still got me sick, now I use the "chemicals" I hope whatever solution you use, keeps you safe and free from disease.

Deck / Tub look great I love my costco spa too (I have the OC they sold "in store")...... Just a thought after looking at the great pics....Do you have a way to get into the equipment compartment (repairs), or add extra insulation behind the side panels without removing deck boards? I couldn't tell from the photo's. I ask because I was thinking of moving my tub and sinking it into a deck also, and I have played with the idea of removable decking panels etc...to allow access to the spa's equipment.. I was wondering how you decided to handle that...thanks

In my honest and humble opinion, I'd say check it out and see if you like it. If you do, you won't find a better price. If anything is wrong, you can usually find replacement parts on the net. I personally advised a friend of mine a month or two ago to buy a used tub, that had known issues for a little more than the one you ask about. We felt we could make the repairs for a lot less than buying new.... Hey if you like it, what a great and inexpensive way to get a hot tub in your yard!

Just by reading what you wrote, and using a system I would use to analyze any problem, I'd say that the issue is not coming from anything (including the PVC) that is part of, or in the tub prior to you filling it with water. My experience tells me that anything ongoing with the tub itself would continue to be a problem everyday, not only after a refill. If I had to make a guess, I'd say something in the water or in the mechanism of placing the water (hose, faucet, etc) is where your "white powder" is coming from. However, I (the chemist in me) would want to evaluate the possibility that the white powder is a precipitate from a chemical reaction. Something in the fresh water (tap water is treated with lots of chemicals) reacting with something still in the tub. OR, the possibility of some mineral having an extremely high concentration in your water, or something along those lines. Although a mineral would have to be in an extreme quantity to cause the kinds of sediment your talking about. Good Luck!

Being someone who started out as trying to go with a "low" or "No" chlorine system, I quickly discovered that if you want crystal clear water, no microbes, and easy water balance, then use chlorine (DiChlor). I tried the copper ion's (Pristine blue / cleanwater blue) I tried Bhromine. I was amazed at how clear the water was when I drianed and went with plain old DiChlor! I found that I was using DiChlor to shock with more and more to keep the water clean (new tub, friends, family wanting to try it out etc) and I also discovered I wasted 80 bucks on a low chlorine natural ion sanitizer ching-aso. Like they say keep it simple, and a quick test kit and some chlorine granules couldn't be easier. BTW I also have less issues with my water going in and out of balance (pH, TA, hardness etc) with just the one sanitizer, and a little spa defense for anti scale, the balance stays very consistant.

The concrete guy's can give you a timeframe, but it'll probably be more like 5 days or more. I know building codes in my area forbid fraiming a home on a new slab for 2 weeks (for proper curing). Eveything I found says 5 days or more, but 1 website said 30 days! The longer you wait the stronger the concrete becomes, so I'd get that thing poured ASAP.

I don't know everything you'll need, but there are many pictures of repairs / builds scattered around these forums. You could get a general idea of what the frame should be built like. Several spa manuals with detailed drawings can be found if you google for them. Structure will need to be such that no uneven pressure is applied to the shell when full. Use pressure treated wood, and make it twice as strong as you think it needs to be. Good luck

widespreadhawk mentioned the coleman spas. I have a friend who got a great price and loves his. Check them out for sure. Avoid anything sold by Wal-Mart. The guy who delivered my tub for me also repairs and sells used tubs, you could probably find a used tub from from someone like that who has experience in the industry and save some $$. I'd also like to apologize to any dealers I may have offended with my previous post (since it had been quoted, I chose not to edit it). I came across as dealer bashing, and that was too strong. All dealers are not like the ones I have to deal with in my area, and I am sorry I painted them all with that brush. In my defense I am just frustrated that in order to get a tub from one of the big 4, you have to go to a dealer 99% of the time. I just wish this industry would get into the 21st century and realize that I can order a new car online, without ever having to talk to a salesman, but not a big 4 (manufacturers) hot tub.... It's frustrating for a cyber-guy like myself, and certainly not the fault of any dealers reading this, who offer their assistance in these forums....Sorry

Dude I'll bet 99% of the people who got this tub did so without defects. Remember that chem 101 is not some magical wizard spell that only hot tub dealers undertand, insulation can be purchased at Lowe's or Home Depot, and DYI folks can get around most of these issues easily. Feel confident in your purchase, save money when you can, and enjoy the hot water!

I second what ps558 says. Sounds like it's working. Remember if the lights flicker, or anything like that, the free flow of electrons (electricity) is in an unstable / uncontrolled state. Better to have sensitive electronics disconnected rather than fried. Sounds like your electrician did a good job when he wired it.