north_of_boston
-
Posts
224 -
Joined
-
Last visited
-
Days Won
2
Posts posted by north_of_boston
-
-
Has it always done this?
Also - check the amperage ratings - most home outlets are 15 amp (with a 20 amp breaker) - are you drawing more than that?
Finally - if the GFCI that's on that plug keeps popping - it COULD be a ground fault somewhere. DON'T TAKE CHANCES. -
On 3/26/2021 at 7:57 PM, Jayj said:
How do you like it? We are looking at getting this model and have been trying to find reviews
After 12 years, it's great.
-
We have an Arctic Yukon -- opted for the Yukon (no lounger) over the Cub (lounger) because we can fit more people in the tub, and you can STILL lounge, although not the same without the lounger if it's one or two people.
-
1
-
-
For starters, how big are the icicles? Pencil size? Major league? If they're small, I wouldn't worry about it... but do check to ensure the cover is "covering" adqueately.
-
Just answered another question for someone - we have an Arctic - the Yukon ... there is no lounger but if it's just one or two of you, you can "lounge" anyway.
And you can completely immerse up to your neck, no problem... the Yukon also allows us to have guests as it's a six-seater (albeit, we have no more than four, most of the time)... 6K pounds,, don't know if it would fit in that budget limit. Your Arctic dealer can advise, they have several tiers of tubs.
And for a small four seater - like the Yukon (listed as 6 but 4 is the comfort limit) ... 2 pumps are fine.
-
I've had the Arctic Yukon - which is the equivalent of the Cub, except it has no lounger and thus is listed to be able to hold six, but realistically, we usually never have more than four in there at one time.
Ours has two pumps (you CAN have three but we find two is fine). Looking at the web page, the Fox is basically a two-seater. That was a big ICKSNAY for us because we like to entertain others.
We've had it for ten-eleven years. Arctic replaced the salt generator once (they wanted to upgrade it gratis, we let them). When the warranty on the cells went from one year to (I think) 90 days, we unplugged the "Onzen" and went to chlorinating concentrate. THUSLY, the chemicals are cheaper over the course of a year - perhaps, $30-40 a year versus those cells.
I don't know what they do in 2021. for salt regeneration systems. And , as far as pricing, I don't know what you'd pay where you are AND, I haven't been pricing hot tubs since 2009, so.. eh....I have to defer that item back to you.
If you are in a cold climate, Arctic is the BEST, folks. Now, yeah, the Cub has a lounger but we have learned that you can "lounge" somewhat in the Yukon tub even if there's no lounger. If you're never going to have people come and visit, the Cub is fine but if you ever have friends come over, the Cub won't make it easily, and the Fox is definitely not a tub for friends. -
Ours is around 10 feet from the house. Electrical code requires that there be a "Ted Bundy Kill Switch" within a certain distance of the tub ... we did have our first one around 3 feet from the house but its noise was right below our bedroom window. We reconfigured our tub area when we installed the Arctic.
Cusser, I think we discussed this - the Arctic has an insulated but not foam packed cabinet. Which is one major reason why we went with it. Our old Sequoia Spa was foam-packed... we had one leak, stripped the foam out, had it fixed and then we found ANOTHER leak so it was "dump it time."
We did have a leak inside the Arctic three years ago - fixed in an hour by the spa tech. -
What is a "hot tub sign"??? I have a sign saying "Nude Only - No Swimsuits allowed" but there's something not right with your question...
-
Gee
I guess my advice on not allowing bathing suits in the hot tub might have some merit... -
Arctic Spas are built for harsh conditions. Durable. Fabulous cover (mine's 10 years old +, only had to replace its vinyl jacket).
I did have the salt system but shut it off after the cells got too expensive.
We're happy with the Arctic. -
Ya but....
Those extensions on job sites and movie sets may involve drills, compressors, lighting, etc. - not a hot tub in someone's dwelling. Different game entirely.
-
And to keep mice away = peppermint oil. I bought a product called "Rodent Sheriff" - on one of those "As Seen on TV" things.
Peppermint oil and a $1 spray bottle from the dollar store will do the same job. For some reason - not being a rat, I can't figure it out, but peppermint oil makes little rodent critters nauseous and they run away from it. -
I shut mine off after it slipped out of warranty - and the warranty period was reduced for the Onzen cells...
Unplugged it and went to chemicals. Works for me. -
My first Arctic Spa cover lasted eight years.... actually, it's STILL in use - the outer jacket wore down after seven-eight years. The foam (itself wrapped well in plastic) was bone-dry, so I only had to replace the cover JACKET. It's now 10+ years.
AFAIK they only make covers for their own tubs BUT you can check with them.
Two things I strongly recommend -
1) Aerospace Protectant 303. Once or twice a year.
2) if you live in a snow area - there's a product called Sno_BrUm (snow broom) - goes for between $18 and $24 (US) depending on where you buy it. Won't damage the cover but it's great for clearing snow off the top of the tub (also works great on cars, too!)
https://www.homedepot.com/p/SnoBrum-17-in-W-Snow-Broom-with-48-in-Telescoping-Handle-3002-001THS/303240928-
2
-
-
Create a level surface on top of the slab (with the tub OFF of it) and use an E-Z Spa pad with leveling material underneat it.
-
On 6/29/2020 at 11:03 AM, RDspaguy said:
I sent him your way not because of where they are made but where he lives and the temps he deals with (-40c). I figured you would know more about those scrotum shrinking temps than I. I guess we should ask @north_of_boston.
It's a used spa.
Ok. Catalina is a mid range spa. As I recall, they don't have a great deal of insulation so will run alot to stay hot in extreme cold and so cost alot to use. If you get it you might want to consider adding some insulation.
Stereos and spas don't mix. It is just a matter of time.
First of all, I don't live up in Edmonton; I'm in balmy coastal Massachusetts. So, although we CAN have extremely harsh weather, it rarely goes below -10C. -7C (20F) is around my limit for the outdoor hot tub. I still bought the Arctic as it's designed for harsh climates.
Second - yes, Stereos and spas don't mix - I have an external source for my music in the hot tub. Outdoor speakers, with wires to a stereo set inside the house. -
Spa Pad. Easiest way to go. Just make sure the ground underneath it is solid, compact, and LEVEL. 8x8 is $498.
A round tub will go on a square pad.-
1
-
-
5 hours ago, ratchett said:
Just to add my $0.02 - I do not use the Freshwater Salt system in my tub. Instead I use 1 teaspoon of dichlor56 pellets per 30-minute soak (approximately $0.072 per soak or roughly $22 per year), and about $11 in baking soda per year, plus three silver mineral cartridges which are $30 a piece. So with the ozonator and dichlor setup, my Jetsetter costs me approximately $123 annually in chemicals to keep my water sanitized and crystal clear.
Oh and if we want to take water filling into the equation, at a local cost of $0.00825 approximately per gallon, my 200 gallon Jetsetter costs about $1.65 per refill, which I am supposed to do annually (although I'll likely do it twice per year for good measure lol)Ditto with my Arctic. Shut off the salt sanitizer when the salt-generating cells had their warranty period reduced.
Now I use SpaGuard Chlorinating Concentrate and PH Increaser, and Spa Sentry when I change the water. Test strip it twice a week, I'd guess between filters and chemicals it's around $100 a year if even that.
-
1
-
-
"Overall it was a valuable trip because I also got to ask for contacts for laying the cement patio after I tear down my deck and also mentioned if they knew people to haul away my old one."
I used the E-Z Spa pad - much easier than paving/pouring cement.https://www.ezpads.com/purchase.html
"By the way, have you guys heard of Thermospas? I was wondering how you would rate them."
Ten years ago, I bought my Arctic. I had no fixed budget but wanted the best value for the money. In comparing Arctic, Jacuzzi, and ThermoSpas, TS ranked #3. Looked like a good product but overpriced for what I was willing to pay. And they had no local dealer. Plus the sales rep unwittingly insulted us by saying "Why would you buy anything Canadian?"
Went with the Arctic. No regrets - but we are in a much harsher climate than Georgia. And we had a local dealer. And the price was a little less than what we would have paid for the ThermoSpa (or around the same, I forget).
Also mystified - and - I guess it's your business, but a three person tub seems rather unusual. If you are a couple and want to host another couple, the three-person won't suffice... -
I had the Cambridge Soundworks speakers, bought them when they had the factory outlet (corp HQ was in the Boston area) and mounted them on the fence posts - hooked 'em up when the new tub was put in.
Also rigged an iPad up for online radio - so we can hear nearly everything and anything out there in the tub. -
THREE? person tub - it's a rather odd (not trying to be funny) seating capacity.
What if you are a couple and have another couple over? Well that's four, and realistically you might want a six-seater.
The other topic = go to a dealer. The initial payout may be more. In the long run - you're going to need advice and support.If you ever heard Zig Ziglar's analogy about buying a bike for his kid - well, the same thing applies to hot tubs. Value for the money. And total cost of ownership.
-
Many dealers tell you "DON'T" .go for the built in systems - water and THESE electronics don't mix.
I use outdoor speakers hooked up to my indoor stereo - anyone else?
-
I had ants - got rid of them with Terro spray.
Mice/chipmunks/rodents = saw someone selling "Rodent Sheriff" - spray , 2 bottles for $20 (US) - on TV, and I bought it.
It turns out, all it is , is peppermint oil. I don't know if it attracts ants but for some reason it makes rodents nauseous and they run away from it. And peppermint oil is safe for (non-rodent) pets and kids.-
1
-
-
You mentioned Arctic Cub. I have an Arctic Yukon (same model as the Cub, but no lounger) , and had the salt generator system. The cost of the cells PLUS Blue Falls cutting the warranty time on them, had me shut off the Onzen and go to chemicals.
I likely don't use $100 (US) per year in chloronating concentrate, Ph booster, Calcium booster, etc. and Spa Sentry on water changes, and test strips.
Water is fine. Ya gotta check the readings ANYWAY... and it's nothing to throw a capful of this or that in when it's necessary.Of course, it's almost always just the two of us and no bathing suits permitted at any time, so that keeps the water clean.
-
1
-
Filter Broke At Base And Stuck In Threaded Housing
in Portable Hot Tubs & Spas
Posted
I had the same problem last year in my Arctic Spa.
The spindle that the filter rode on, snapped.
Turned out - I could remove the lower part of the spindle - and Arctic makes a filter with a male screw-in connector. So I unscrewed the spindle and the new (different type of filter) screws into that socket, and life is sublime.