Tub Daddy

Well, as an update to the tragic tale.... All my complaining caused the company (then Arctic Spa) to replace the Onzen system completely. So, now I have the new Genesis system, and an ugly probe inside the tub (a leftover from the Onzen 8 install) That was done in late August. It seemed to work fine for a bit, but now I don't get any Br. Luckily, when 'Arctic Spas (Oakville)' ditched Blue Falls (or vice versa), the Genesis warranty is still good with the new Jacuzzi of Ontario company. After a bit of haggling, they can out and replaced the Genesis electrode. BUT - still no Bromine. An email from the company states: "...you might have bio-film in your lines as a result of your tub running for extended periods of time with little to no sanitizer." I don't know how that would affect a brand new electrode. But they still think I am the stupid, whiny guy that comes into the store every weekend. They tried the confuse and confabulate approach: - "what are your filter settings at? Frequency? temperature setting? Louvers? etc." But I'm not buying it. They even had the nerve to suggest that I might want to trade-in to their new vendors' model. "The Jacuzzi tubs are waaaayyy better!" - WTF? Now it's a game to me.

I have had my Arctic spa (Kodiak) for almost a year now. It came with the Onzen version 7.x, and after a winter of haggling with the store and support, they finally came out and replaced it with the version 8 last April. It worked great until mid-July, and now it has stopped producing Cl. So now I go back to the store/support and they have suggested to replace the version 8 with an 8.1 (?). OR I can pay $400 for the "newest" Genesis system. It is starting to sound like the pucks are more reliable and will cost me less!

Well, I still don't seem to have any sanitizer being produced. The water samples tested at the dealer show all of the other chemicals at the correct levels. Chlorine levels at 0. I spent another $100 on a new "better" filter. Apparently the pleated, reusable filters are "hands down" better. At least that's what the Customer Service Manager told us. If that's the case, why then does the install come with a filter of lesser quality? I want to say that the water is a little better, but it is still not even close to the showroom crystal clear. I was told to add more salt! Apparently the manufacturers suggestion (5.5 lbs for the Kodiak) is not sufficient in order to start the Cl production. I can actually start to taste the salt, so I know the content is at or above 3500ppm. (Humans have a salt taste threshold of around 3,500 ppm.) So the saga continues.... Thanks for your suggestions and feedback. And thanks for listening. And to medicineman: Yes I bought the Porsche of Hot tubs, but I feel like I am driving a Fiat!

Thanks for your reply. It helps in the sense that all of my research into the selection of an Arctic Spa was valid. It also helps to provide me with a high level of expectation on the performance of the spa and the Onzen system. So for all of that... Thank you. This is a brand new tub, however. Ordered custom from the factory. Delivered and filled on July 27th. We had to wait three (3) months for the delivery - first order was the wrong tub colour, so they had to re-order. So the electrodes should not have any scale build up. Also, although I don't know for sure, the system should be the latest and greatest - right? I have had the CPxx setting at the highest level 6 for the last 7 days (It was at 4 prior to that), however I am still not getting any measurement on the sanitizer (Cl or Br). We had a "technician" out yesterday to check it out. First thing he said was that we were not doing the chemicals correctly. He dumped a bunch of salt in, and claimed that the electrodes tested out fine. Checked the filter, etc. He waited for a bit and tested the water (I don't know how many test sticks he used, but I only have 3 left in the bottle now!!! - remember that this is only 11 days old!!) Said that the Br level was now in the normal range. WTF? It's a Cl/Salt system, we don't use the Br/Salt! He said to wait a few hours and then the water should be fine and clear up. Well, it's a day later and it still looks swampy! We are afraid to go into it, and we have not been in it for the last few days. The tub engineering is excellent, but the service end is really starting to be non-existent. I don't have a degree in chemistry, however I do have a BScIT, so I think I am capable of following the instructions. But for the life of me, I can't see what I am doing wrong. I don't mind paying for quality - that concept does NOT surprise me - however something with this just doesn't feel right. Any other suggestions?

Hi There Just got a new Kodiak spa with an Onzen system last week, and I am getting a bit worried based on my current experience and the information posted here. I am still not getting any sanitizer, and the CP is set at 6. The water is looking a bit greenish, and cloudy. One of the diverters is sucking air. The store is seemingly distancing itself, now that the spa has been delivered. I paid a kings ransom for this thing. I bought into the whole "Arctic Spa Difference". Have I been duped?