[Spa Mover Material]

we also use a spa dolly can't be beat.

[Pad: Concrete Or Crushed Stone?]

I have installed pavers for driveways in the northeast of pa that have been down for 14 years now. Lots of freeze thaw cycles. no problems if prepped the right way. I'll try to post some pics of my deck with pavers off the side. tub is on crushed stone for drainage reasons been there three years less than .1 degree out of level just compact the base and stone and foget about it.

I'll add another positive experience with pavers. Here's the thread where I first installed the patio. There's a link to photos there.

We did the concrete paver patio last year. This year we got the tub. We've had it for about a month and a half. The pavers are doing just fine. I probably have about $500 in the materials for this 10x12 paver patio. My wife and I did all the labor ourselves. It was the first time we'd done a project like that, and I'd say that we had about 45 hours of work between the two of us.

The tub is 7.5x7.5, I'm glad I didn't go any smaller than 10x12 with the pavers. I'm also much happier with the look of the concrete pavers than I would be with a concrete pad.

I guess it will probably be a few years before I really know if the pavers will hold up. But they've been through one hard North Dakota winter already, and have now had the filled spa for 45 days or so. No settling/shifing yet. I'm very happy with the result so far.

-- Greg

[Pooldoc Digital Tester -- Anybody?!?!?!]

I was looking at the same tester. I couldn't find a review either keep us posted if all is well I will get one for myself.

Well, just in the form of update, I contacted Watts and obtained the owners' manual for the PoolDoc digital tester. I have to admit I was very impressed with what I read. Accordingly I DID go ahead and purchase the PoolDoc and hope to get it in the next week or so.

Not only does it give you your digital/non-color (of course) readings for free and combined chlorine, bromine and pH, but total alkalinity testing too. What I find wholly exciting (well, NEAT AND FUN actually), is that you first enter all the data about your spa (size in gallons, what chemicals you're using, etc.); then after you test your water it gives you an "Rx," prescribing the precise chemicals and at what exact amounts you are to add them to bring your specific spa to it's ideal chemical balance. As far as disposables, the 9V battery (included) is supposed to give you 1,000 readings, and the reagents are not proprietary -- you can use any you care to.

If anybody else would like a pdf copy, give me your email address and I'll send it to you.

BTW, below is the info and data you enter (the figures below are the changeable factory default). Once you enter or modify these, you're golden!

PoolDoc has factory settings that show common DESIRED LEVELS for a pool’s chemical balance and commonly used maintenance CHEMICALS and their CONCENTRATIONS. You will need to confirm that the factory settings are correct or change them to those that are recommended by pool professionals in your area for your pool/spa. The pool/spa size, chemicals, ranges and concentrations, taken from the data in the above table will provide PoolDoc with the correct references that enable it to give you accurate measurements and recommendations.

[Once set up] PoolDoc will give you a Rx “prescription” for the addition of standard pool chemicals to bring your water to a safe and comfortable condition.

Desired Total Alkalinity Range 80-120 ppm

Desired Free Chlorine Range 2.0-4.0 ppm

Desired pH Range 7.4-7.6

Desired Bromine Range (if used) 2.0-4.0 ppm

Pool size (in Gallons/Liters) 0 gallons

Chlorinator No

Total Alkalinity Chemicals - Up Baking Soda, 100%

Total Alkalinity Chemicals - Down Dry Acid, 100%

Free Chlorine Chemicals - Up Liquid Chlorine, 12%

Free Chlorine Chemicals - Down Neutralizer, 100%

pH Chemicals - Up Soda Ash, 100%

pH Chemicals - Down Muriatic Acid, 31%