Dr. Spa

If in doubt, boiling, chlorine or iodine would make it safe. I'd start with the water in the homes hot water heater first, then the holding tanks on the back of the toilets, then the hot tub water.

Technology that is supposed to last 20-30 years? Says who? And why did you choose to believe it? I replaced 11 bulbs in my home with LED's about a year ago. Only 6 work today. Warranties! Warranties have nothing to do with the actual quality. They're all about money (in EVERY industry). A warranty is NOT free. It's something YOU PAY FOR in the initial cost of a product. There are pretty set failure rates that can be calculated and determined for everything. I've yet to know a company that has a forest of money trees and can give away everything. Companies have to make money to stay in business. And that's where the key lies. The public wants a product for the least amount of money. For the majority of people, they want the biggest and the most, for the least amount of $. If they don't "feel" like they're getting this, they buy from someone else, and you go out of business (unless you have that money tree forest). So you add cheap bling, cut construction costs (which reduced quality), cut aftersales expenses by reducing the LENGTH OF THE WARRANTY, and taa daa, you are now competitive with the guy down the street...and you get to stay in.business. Now I don't know where your 2nd hand info comes from, mine is from some 33+ years in the business, with no relationship what so ever with Masco (parent company of Hot Spring Spas), but my observations have been that they "usually" go far beyond what other companies will do to make a customer happy. It doesn't mean that they satisfy EVERYONE, that simply isn't possible...in any business or industry. And the majority of what few "problems" I've seen, are not related in any way to the manufacturer, but to the individual dealer. The other, and probably more important thing to consider, is not the length of the warranty, but how it's handled. Will the company actually cover it? Or will they bend over backwards to twist things into one of the many exclusions their warranty states is not a covered issue (I can't even begin to count the number of times I've seen manufacturers deny what appears to be a legitimate warranty claim saying it was customer abuse, neglect or some other reason to not have to honor their warranty obligations...and interestingly, these seemed to frequently be the ones rthat came with the longest warranties.)

You also forgot to mention the brand, model and year of the spa.

First, you're assuming that all leaks develop in the plumbing, buried in the insulation. This couldn't be more incorrect. Most leaks, probably 95% or more, occur in the equipment, and have no effect on the insulation. Over a 10 year period, with a quality manufacturer, I'd say the type of leaks you're concerned with, are far below 1%.

Could be Tri-Delta or Len Gordon.

See if you can get ahold of the owner of the following company. It sounds like you want to do almost exactly what he's been doing for many years (what country are you from?); http://watercourseway.com/

ummm, highly unlikely. The way your post reads, and your grammer SCREAMS spammer from a foreign country using an online translator.

All of these are personal preferences and the ONLY way you'll know what works for YOU is by wet testing.

"Do I need to turn pump off, fill, turn on, repeat?" yes "I need to keep the basket lid on when pump running right?" yes

So this is an inground spa, with the equipment remotely located and above the water line? Just the one air button? If so, it's probably a multi function air switch. Something like, 1st push turns on the pump, 2nd the pump and air blower, 3rd just the blower, 4th off. Between the pump and spa is probably a check valve (a 1 way valve). Just keep filling the basket, turn on the pump, then turn it off and fill the basket again. "Eventually" it should work. You should also have a filter between the pump and heater.

Post some pictures. The spa side control panel, all the equipment underneath, and and labels.

What is "everything", and what are you considering "fine"? Also, how exactly are you testing the water?

The manuals I have are after 2008..but don't show me any pictures anyway. If the pump has unions, gently loosen the top one. You should hear air escaping, and then see water running out. Tighten it back up, and try it then. If could also be something else, such as a frozen motor (tends to sound the same as a working motor to the untrained ear), or a broken impeller.

Was there any noise or humming from the pump? If not, either your pump is bad or there's some electrical issue that's not allowing power to the pump.

I would get a volt meter and actually test for electricity at the element, and if there's none, trace back to determine where/what is causing the problem. However, in your case, since this is something you haven't even considered, I would suggest calling in a professional to diagnose the problem.....it will probably cost you FAR more to just start blindly replacing things. Yes, it 'could" be a bad flow switch, bu there's 10 to 20 other things it could be, and without properly testing things, you have no way of knowing.

Gunk, crap, stuff. One more thing, you say "The water Chem is perfect". But what YOU consider perfect, and what the experts here consider perfect, quite possibly are two different things. What are the exact readings, and how are you determining this....well water or city water.

Sounds like gunk....a technical term.

You'd have to change out the control system. I'd look at the Intermatic MultiWave controller.

Why would anyone ADD a clairifier to CLEAR water?????????

Probably a lot less.

Can you? Yes..but you risk a lot of false tripping. I'd replace the GFCI in the main panel with a regular breaker.

hmmmmm, my understanding is the price difference between a NXT and non-NXT is only about $300 (not sure if this is the retail or wholesale cost).

Have you tried contacting these guys; http://www.spaparts.com.au/categories/Spa-Brand-Specific-Parts/Monarch-Spas/

No matter, because now it's gone.

No harm at all.