Raegor

Thanks for the info. I have the Vanguard but the same breaker etc. I'll try turning off the 20 to see if that effects anything. Yea I know its really well insulated I could tell that from the past winter how well it kept the heat, I was just hoping the same insulation would prevent the daytime sun from superheating it. I guess the heat travels into the tub a lot easier then it travels out. Of course the sun is blasting heat onto the cover & walls all day, whereas at night it would just be an ambient transfer through the insulation... super slow.

Well, I'm wondering if my heater is stuck on cuz my spa is 105 and never dropping. Yes its hot as hell during the day down here in Louisiana but its still not cooling down at night. I leave the cover on, don't want to take it off due to bugs, and 105 is too hot for me as hot as it is outside with no breeze and high humidity.

Thanks for the quick response, I'll keep turning it off like I have been. I have another question that I pm'd you.

I have a HS Vanguard which has the 24hr cirulation pump w/ ozone and water feature on the same pump. I have been turning off the water feature when covered/not in use but I'm wondering if leaving it on will create more circulation? Or does it not matter?

I'm a noob but my instructions say if you're going to be gone a week lower the temperature to 80 because dichlor will last longer then at 100...

I tested some D1's before buying HotSprings. They seem like good spas, I didn't like their bucketed seating however, I'm more of a fan of open bench style seating with minor bucketing. The light was pretty wimpy in the ones I looked at (@home series) but you are looking at the higher end series so I have no clue there. The one you are looking at is very expensive...

Nitro... new tub owner here as well, another CYA question. I understand your explanation of higher CYA means hgher chlorine demand and the need to add more chlorine to maintain. I'm just wondering if there are any other issues of a high CYA, as far as health or tub damage. Meaning if we do maintain the chlorine demand is there any other concern? Thanks.

So Hillbilly, I have the Hotsprings Silver ion + Ozone which I assume from what I've read is the same as nature2. Can I keep a minimal .5 fc level as well? I've been trying to maintain 3 which is what most everything I've read says... Thanks

Buy this for your husband and pass the chem duties back onto him... http://www.spadepot.com/shop/AquaChek-TruT...it-P842C60.aspx

Sounds pricy for a spa that old...

If you are using loose building wire then yes it must be in a conduit in the attic. If you are using romex you're good to go. Building wire's insulation is too thin and hazerdous so code requires it to be sheathed in something. I went through this with my electirican, he did what you're talking about, conduit outside but had the 4 building wire runs loose in the attic. When I asked around to other local electricians they said it had to be in conduit or romex wire. He came and switched it out to romex for free after I had to threaten to call the local code enforcement agency. Of course your state could be different but I doubt it.

Well it does seem like a nice feature. My gf and I did not like the way it sat up high forming a "wall" when it was folded off, we liked having it clean/open air around all 4 sides. Altough the covermate II does provide a lower profile. Also it does cost $250-$300 dollars it seems, which is still a consideration as well. We thought maybe we'll start without one and get it if necessary. We just bought a cover lifter for USD 78 (44 Pounds) in the UK and that was including USD 19 postage. Also I thought that USD 200-300 is way to much for a bit of tub(b)ing. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=320302623108 Do you know if this can be installed on the control panel side? Does anyone have any other suggestions for a lifter that can me mounted on the control panel side and had a low profile? This happens to be a ripoff version of the cover caddy http://www.covervalet.com/products/coverli...ddy/default.asp which is the one I plan on getting due to the fact that installs on one side only. I would not put it on control panel side if I were you.

Sounds like excema to me, unless you have blistery like bumps that sounds more serious. I've had excema all of my life so I'm pretty familiar with it. Most common causes are excessive dry skin, mild allergic reactions, or even food allergies. Dry air from central heating doesn't help, I run a humidifier in the winter and end up using a lot of fragurance free moisturizer. Soap is an enemy, non diluted detergent also (2nd rinse is my friend), as is hot water which of course includes hot tubbing. It helps to use corticosteriods for when things are bad but you don't want to use them regularly. Showering before and after with soap might not be what you want to do, it will increase your dryness. Oatmeal baths were always helpful to me especially before bed. I'm a new spa owner so I'm experimenting with what works for me. I definately can't soak every night and I'm trying to keep the chlorine levels on the lower side. Haven't had any serious breakouts just the usual minor areas but its still early. Just ordered insparation's just soft so we'll see how that works.