hrustar

30 to 45 minutes a night. temp set at 102°. Jets for the first 15 minutes, then it varies. Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Same with lights. Stat with the on, but always turn them off if I don't run the jets.

I've heard, but not yet tried, a turkey baster. Rumor is it works great.

Just got my tub a couple weeks ago and was in the same spot. i went back and forth for weeks between bromine and chlorine. I was really swayed by bromine, but in the end went with chlorine for a number of reasons. One was odor. Bromine is not worse or better. But it is stronger and harder to remove form skin and materials. Second was cost. If you use Nitro's dichlor/bleach plan, chlorine will be significantly more affordable. I should add, I have not yet adopted his system as I d not have a Taylor test kit yet. But will use it upon my next fill. For now, I'm doing a straight chlorine plan. THird, despite the claims that bromine is easier, I found numerous posts about people who could never get their water levels dialed in and easy to maintain. In fact, it seems most people who use bromine eventually switch to chlorine. I'm sure many people love bromine, but it seems more people love chlorine. Also, I must add that chlorine up keep is a lot easier than it sounds. Reading about it scared me. Doing it is a breeze.

Well this seems to throw a monkey wrench in the dichlor/bleach plan.

It seems you can have perfectly balanced/sanitized water, that is still cloudy at times for various reasons. Wondering what most of you use as a supplement cleaners?

Speaking of things my kids love but I never use... The waterfall feature. Does nothing for me. Just more noise (from water splashing, not the so much the pump).

I too live in Minnesota. I've only had my hot tub for a week or so (almost all rain) and have use dint every day. I can say i never even considered a roof or gazebo. It would take away 50% of the appeal. In my tub, in the elements. Only way to go.

PROMOTION ALERT: I work in advertising and the product I'm about to mention is made by a client of mine. Fresh Wave is a line of natural odor eliminators. Rather than using perfumes or masking agents, Fresh Wave products destroy both organic and inorganic odor on a molecular level. It works fast and it works effectively. Plus it's entirely natural so you wont have to worry about any toxins or harsh chemicals. Oh, and if the natural thing makes you think it's weak, think again. The same formulation is used by their parent company to eliminate odor in dumps, waste facilities and industrial plants around the world. So, specific to your odor issue. Fresh Wave products come in seven different formats. For your odor, I'd recommend the additive. It's the same as the spray basically, but cheaper by the ounce. You could either use it to spray treat the area that smells, or use a cloth and wipe it in. Like water, it too would absorb into the foam, which means it could get to and destroy the odor if it is indeed embedded. You can check it out at www.fresh-wave.com Good luck.

WOndering what most people like when it comes to tub color. I see lots and lots of white tubs here and other places which shocks me. Just sort of seems plain/generic. of course, to each his own. On the other hand I also lots of marble looking acrylic. Not my taste either. I went with a grey/whit/black granite fleck-stone looking tub and love it. But I was tempted to maybe go blue. Glad I didn't. ANyhow, what color/style do you have and what would you want it you could change?

I understand the reason one would want to shower before getting into a spa, primarily to wash away lotions and oils and such and keep you spa clean. But why wash afterwards? I f chlorine is a great sanitizer, one would assume you are super clean coming out of the tub. Do you need to rinse chlorine away for health reasons? Is it better to rinse it off in a shower versus rubbing/drying off with a towel?

Not doubting the previous cash only poster stories, but I can tell you that any new car dealership would prefer to finance your deal to having cash in hand. And most dealerships now days are one price. They can't give you deal even if they wanted because the attorney general would be all over them (and yes, the AGs do send in test shoppers). ALl this said, spa dealers are a whole other animal.

This thread is amazing. And I don't even have a dog in this hunt. Just good info to keep tucked away.

THere is a digital reader. Never used it, but have consider it. Wonder it anyone has used it. Not as complete as a Taylor kit, but you may not want/need that much detail. Depends on your sanitation approach. http://www.spadepot.com/shop/AquaChek-TruT...it-P842C60.aspx

I'm using test strips (for now) and have a question. I know what to do if the PH or TA is high or low, but what can I do if they are both in line but the MPS is out of whack (high) in this case? Is it not really a big deal?

Thanks. And it's only been a few days since filling.

Or do Chlorine granules lack the addition of CYA, which would then make them Dichlor? Also, if I'm using Chlorine Granules right now (with a mineral filter and Ozonator) would I need to refill to switch over to Dichlor and use Nitro's method? I wanted to start with the Nitro way, but couldn't find a Taylor Test kit anywhere in Minneapolis. I'll be ordering one online soon.

Most people I've come across shock weekly. And my water guide suggest weekly shocking as well.

Excellent response Chem Geek, and very interesting. Thanks.

Okay, I'm leaning towards this program again, but I need to know, what about things like Scale Defense or Metal Protector? Are those products BS? Also, would I still use Mineral Purifier cartridge in my filter? Lastly, if I read right, it seems dandy to use this program with a Ozone system. Can anyone confirm or address my "extra" chemical questions?

The code is designed to have the power lines far enough away that they can't be reached. Your fine. You won't be tubbin if the line comes down, trust me. THANKS!

The guides say do not install within 10 feet of overhead power lines. Right now, the closest point on my tub is about 14 feet away from any overhead lines. However, I wonder, does the 10 feet rule infer if the power line was laying on the ground? In that case, I may only be 8 or 9 feet away. Can someone clarify?

Nitro, let me say, i wish i could just hire you to get me thorugh this. You are the genius. But I am not, so I get confused. Which products are uneeded? Also, the reasons your method seems more involved is the daily testing. I'm not sure I'd be able to test everyday. Also, what about things like metal/scale defense/oil etc. How does your system account for those products, or why do you think they are not needed? Seems to me metal is a must?

Just got the tub, going to start with chlorine. I may switch over to Nitros method, but want to start with this one before moving into a program that's more involved (imho). The company offers a years worth of chemicals for $400. Looking online, it seems that a years worth would only cost $250 or so. WOndering, if this jives with what others pay/use. For fresh fills I'll be using: Metal: 16 oz. $6 per time fill. Scale Defense: 2 oz. $3 per fill. Mineral Purifier: One unit. $20 pr fill. Chlorine Granules: 1 oz. $0.75 per fill. Ph Down: 3 tbs at a time. $0.50 per fill. For Weekly upkeep: Shock: 2 ounces Chlorine: 1 oz plus tsp per use. Spa Brite: 2 oz weekly Oil Gone: 1 oz weekly

I bought a Cal Spa, and while you may or may not like them, I can honestly say in the hour we spent talking to the salesmen, he never once mentioned another brand. He only talked about the CalSpa brand and its features/benefits/methods. I can also say that if he had tried to bash other brands, I would have walked. Sell me on your merits, not some other brand's short comings. It seems many spa dealers are acting like politicians. Ugly.

So I know it takes 3 of 4 hours to fill the tub, then you have to heat the tub, another 3 or 4 hours I'm guessing, then you also have to balance the water (or can you do that as it heats?) but I have no idea how long this part takes. Could someone give me time estimates so I can tell my wife and kids when we'll be tubbin?