Canadian Kahuna

I'm very jealous of you now smilinbare, lol. I really wanted to frontier, but didn't have enough room for it (have a very small lot, coulda made room but would have sacrificed my mature apple tree I love so much). Ended up going with the cub, perfect for my family though (wife, 2 little'uns and myself) and am loving it, as is my oldest daughter (almost 2, we use it theraputically since she has mild C.P. and it helps relax her muscles so we can do her stretches, we just keep the water temp a little lower when we know she's going in). In a few years, when we sell this house (the tub adds to the value, as it's a great starter home / retirement home, but we plan on expanding our family further) and buy a new one, the first thing i'll be doing is having a tub at the new house before i finish moving in. Let me know how you like the frontier when you get it, i never did get to wet test it (no point since i don't have the room for it, but did drool over it for awhile). Hope you enjoy your tub as much as i do mine, and seems like you are getting the same great service i did, and very similar sales . . . wonder if arctic trains thier dealers to be like this, or just lucky we both got good dealers? Well, winter is here, but it ain't keeping me indoors (enjoyed my morning smoke for the first time in years . . . we don't smoke in the house due to kids . . . but sitting in the tub having my morning coffee and smoke watching the sunrise, crisp, clear, calm air outside with a fresh dusting of snow on the ground . . . all these years i had no idea what i was missing by not owning a tub!).

Just bought a spa after 3 years of looking for one. I had the same dilemma as well for some of my deciding factor. After talking to people i personally know that own tubs, some full foam others Non, the running costs seemed to be pretty much identical with similar size tubs and usage, and i'm in Northern Ontario, where winter does get as cold as -50 (sometimes lower), and -40 can be normal for weeks at a time. Even still, the highest running cost on a well used tub in the coldest month here i heard about was $25 Cdn . . . the average during the colder months seemed to be more around $15 - $20 in both types of tubs. I ended up going with a non-full foam tub, but a good quality one, because i like the fact of how easily i can have jets added later if i want (which i think i may do . . . found my favorite seat in the tub, and it needs one more jet). My father in-law has a full foam tub, and it's great as well. So like others have said, it needs "some type of insulation". Concentrate on other things other than full vs non insulation . . . like your dealer, the seats, type of jetting, warranty, ect.

Over priced depends on the buyer as well, and what they feel the value of the tub is. I just purchased the Cub designer model after several years of researching tubs (or procrastinating, if you like). It was a little higher in the price range compared to similar other brand tubs, but it came down to the jets, seating, and my local dealer who (husband & wife team) were really good to me, even after 3 years of bugging them and going back and forth to other stores . . . and are still as good now that i have my tub. I'm not knocking other brands, there are good ones as well, just my input on my arctic. And i don't find mine noisy at all, but the marketing i agree can be deceptive (after looking at heating costs of full foam vs. non, they are pretty much the same, as with pros and cons of each). I would haggle with the price a bit though, and if you do get the used tub, be sure to get it in writing that the remainder of the warranty will be extended to you (read my warranty, and arctic extends thier warranty to the original owner, plus i'd ask about the lifetime warranty on the shell they give, do you get this or just the basic warranty . . . plumbing, heater, etc . . . for 5 years?).

I have a tub of my own, just new to this, using bromine and no problems. But my father in-law has had a tub for a while now and uses bromine as well. He mentioned he is constantly battling alkalinity. All other readings are normal. Any suggestions to help him from constantly working with his alkalinity problem? Thanks.

Thanks for the great idea! I've been looking around pricing out towel warmers, and a lot of options seem to be higher up in the dollar range and/or not exactly what i'm looking for. Love your idea, since you can customize the size even to your own needs . . . gonna have to build one myself now.

Just got my tub myself, but been using them for several years (in-laws have one we used religiously so we decided to get our own). I live in Northern Ontario and my tub, like my in-laws is installed outdoors with no enclosure. The only thing i did differently from my inlaws is installed it so it is against a sheltered side of my garage to keep down on wind (the only annoyance i find with an outdoor tub, but that is outweighed by what i see as pros to it being outdoors). We have temperatures often of -40 - -50 C (approx same as deg F). My first tub experience in my own was last night, after a snowstorm, and it was wonderfull. Sitting in a 103F water with snow all around enjoying an after work drink. I've been debating putting up an enclosure, but this can come later as my tub is on it's own 12x10' deck, so if i do build an enclosure, i will probably use plexi or similar for the roof so i can still enjoy the stars, moon, northern lights, etc. And as well have screening with removable windows around the sides for summer months. This too me is the best of both worlds. The other alternative i've thought about is those canopies you can buy. Kinda like the awning for motor homes/ trailers you see. I can attach it to my shed, put it out if it's raining/snowing heavily and just roll it up if i want to enjoy the sky. But being outside isn't all that bad, you are so warm after getting out of the tub that you don't even notice the cold, even for a few moments when it's -40 out! It's getting in that's the hard part (actually, getting TOO the tub!). Hope i've given you some helpful insight.

I live in Northwestern Ontario and have just bought a hot tub myself, the Arctic Spa Cub "designer" model. I was told costs would run from $15 - $30/mnth by friends that own arctic spas as well, but am getting mine installed in 2 days so personally don't know. Family of mine has a different brand spa, but also a good name, and the most thier electric bill went up was $30 one really cold month last year, the spa being used about 1/2 hour to 45 min per day on average and kept at 104F. Being in Alberta, i'd say take a serious look at Arctic spa since one of the plants is located in that province (if i'm correct), maybe they have better pricing because of this?? But good idea to wet test others, as i did . . . big reason for choosing an arctic spa over another brand for me wasn't the name really, but how the seats/jets felt to me. Hope i've helped.

Thanks for all the insight so far everyone! It seems that there is both an equal amount of pros and cons of chlorine and bromine. I did not know that bromine is basically a derivative of chlorine (although it does make sense). I am somewhat forgetful so the bromine floater would probably be a better idea for me since i would forget to add dichlor after usage more often than not, and having been a scuba instructor for several years working in swimming pools, the smell does not bother me (and my wife actually likes it . . . could be a pregnancy thing, they get those weird cravings and stuff). I guess i could always switch after if i don't like a certain method, or if it doesn't work for me. Thanks again to everyone that posted!

After several years of "hmmmmm'ing and haaaaaa'ing" over buying a tub, and researching different brands, i finally purchased an Arctic spa (Cub Designer Model). I am still awaiting my tub as i just ordered it (with a few extra options: forever floor, cedar bar, railing to get in and out since my daughter has mild cerebral palsy, ect). It does seem to be one of the more reputable companies, of which there are several out there. I have a few friends who own an arctic spa as well, and they had nothing but good things to say about thiers, including service they get from the local dealer. My inlaws have a different brand tub (full foam tub, unlike mine) and have had it for about a year and a half now and have had no problems and excellent service as well. What made me decide on an arctic spa wasn't the name, but input by close friends who have one, as well as the seating (i like it more than my inlaws tub), jets, and the staff at the local dealers to name a few things. Arctic spa does seem to be a better option in colder climates (northern ontario here), but like i said, my inlaws have a different brand and haven't had problems either, and thier electric bill didn't skyrocket (even after the severe cold snap we had last winter, that month the bill only went about $30 higher than normal, and the tub was used about an average of 1 hr per day, kept at 104F). The best impressions about Arctic spa for me were made by friends, like i said, but also the local dealer (a husband and wife team). They educated me (spoke more to the wife) about thier brand, why it was a good spa and without bad-mouthing other companies (the husband did kind of bite his lip when other brands were mentioned, but mostly kept his opinion to himself and let me make my own decision). I saw them at trade shows, home shows, and even at thier shop several times over 3 years asking tons of questions, and they kept being patient with me and answering everything. So overall from all my research, arctic spa is a reputable brand. But there are others out there just the same, see what you like and ask others about thier spa and how well thier local dealer treats them with regards to work, warranty, water testing, etc. Can't wait for my tub to arrive (just building my new deck now!). If you get an arctic spa, let me know how you like yours and how it runs, since i'm new, we can compare and maybe help out!

I have just recently purchased an Arctic Spa Cub Designer Tub after several years of looking at different designs and manufacturers, this one seemed to be most suited to my family. What i am looking for are suggestions on chemical use. It comes with the standard ozonater (I did not opt for the "Peak Ozone" as i really don't see a need for it), and i have a 2 year old daughter, with another on the way who will be using the tub (the newborn will have to wait awhile, but my 2 year old just loves hot tubs as we go to my in-laws all the time, and it's great to relax her muscles since she has mild cerebral palsy). The store i bought my tub from is setting me up with a chemical package and some "training", but after reading through the many posts here it seems as though there are people with many years experience with great input. What types of chemicals would be best to use in my spa? (Chlorine vs. Bromine . . . i like bromine since it isn't as caustic as chlorine, but is it possible to keep a tub clean with kids probably peeing occasionaly in it and using bromine? Or would I have to put so much bromine in that i may as well stick with chlorine?). Also, i've read that different chemicals are better for certain spa shells. I'm not exactly sure what my shell is, i know i have the microban type shell, but that's about it. Thanks for any input the more experienced can give me. In addition, i've read a lot of posts from people looking to buy and asking what type of spa to purchase and what not to purchase. Although there are a few brands out there i would stear clear from after much research, I won't name them. After about 3 years of looking at my options, i decided on an arctic spa for several reasons: The seating arrangement, comfort of seating, company reputation, types of jets, and of course the knowledge and reputation of the local dealer. My inlaws have a different brand of spa (and it's full foam), it's a great spa as well, but i didn't like the seating arrangements that company had. So for all those out there still looking, i've found it's a matter of personal taste and while there are a few to stear clear from, don't close the door on options and wet test if possible (any reputable dealer will allow you to do this, almost all in my town told me to drop by sometime and hop in a tub to try it out). I look forward to being a new member of this board and thank everyone for insights and tips!