hjames710

This is a 1994 HotSprings, it does have a rain tight box on it. It had rubber gaskets all over it, and a cover over the GFCI, as well as rubber around the male plug so that it seals with the female plug.

Yeah, I removed the 20 Amp GFCI from my cord, it broke anyways. Same thing, cracks, and was no longer water tight. My box for it has a GFCI in it. When I go to sell it, I'll put it back on. But it works just fine without it.

So, I know you've heard my opinion on Wind River, but I thought that after today, I'd add more to what I said. Today, I found the leak on my tub, it's around the filter basket top. I went in to their showroom off Galapago, and they take me out back, and show me one of the tubs they're refurbishing, and show me exactly how to get the ring around the filter basket off, and what I need to do, what silicone I need to use. Never once did they say "You need to call our service department and have them come take a look." which is exactly what the HotSprings dealer said, and they said that about replacing the MotoMassage jet, not a leak repair. I also mentioned that I was missing a board off my cabinet, so what do they do? They went and found me a replacement piece, "How much?" I asked, I was shocked when they said I can have it. The HotSprings dealer nickel and dimed me for everything, not to mention they had insane mark ups on their parts. The showroom was much more relaxed and more comfortable than IHT (HotSprings Dealer), they even had two golden retrievers roaming around (I'm a sucker for dogs, we have three, Haha). HotSprings does make a terrific tub, don't get me wrong, but the dealer here isn't too personable. I think that they're at least worth looking at. Just my 2 cents.

A family member of mine has a Vita Spa at their lake house, it's now ~10 years old and has been springing leaks like no other, every year they have 3 or 4 more. Don't know where you are, but you can check out HotSprings, Sundance, and if you happen to be in CO like me, check out my personal favorite, Wind River Spas, they use the pane insulation, with wind barriers, and do a high density foam layer around the shell. There's definitely better manufacturers than Cal Spa, but I think it just depends on the spa, and who exactly made it, I have friends who have an old VIP series and love it, and then there are ones like my neighbors, which they had put in a year after their house was built, so '06? And it's already had two of the pumps replaced, and a new circuit board. If you want to see their Vita Spa, http://www.poolspaforum.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=33683

I would not get an Arctic, I've seen too many people with them who have major problems, and have received very little help. That does seem to be a great price, D1 spas are supposedly one of the best (I've never had one myself, but I've heard great things about them).

They have 2 or 3 different models without a lounger. My neighbors have a Tornado model, and absolutely love it. The whirlpool seat is great, and I haven't seen it on any other spa. I got mine free, but I know you can get a refurbished one from the factory for $2495-$3495. If you have any questions, try emailing or calling Rick Hallett, the owner, he answers within a day or two, and is really nice. The service is great, and replacement parts are super cheap as well. Replacement pillows are $26 versus what HotSprings charges $100+. They are a great company, and you can have the jets in your spa placed wherever you want. They don't offer an entertainment system, so you're good there. Plus, the way they build them makes them easier to repair down the road. Check out their site http://windriverspas.com/index.html

SInce you are in CO like me, you should take a look at Wind River Spas, my neighbor had one, it was the most comfortable spa I've ever been in, with tons of features, and stellar jet placement. I'm actually going to get one today. They have all different layouts and jet counts. Check them out, I think it's worth it. http://windriverspas.com/tubs/steamboat.html http://windriverspas.com/tubs/telluride.html

The FW3 came out last year, so at the most, it's a little over year old. So it would definitely still be working. Don't let stairs decide which tub you buy, look at the cover, see which one is worn more on the inside in the shape of the top of the spa, if it looks really rough, and is not smooth, then it hasn't had the best water care, and will be more likely to cause you problems later on.

And yes, I bought a rebuilt spa pump for $150, yours would be about $200 I would assume.

What about the gravelly sound? Is it when the air is on?

How long has the paver patio been there? Was it professionally installed? You can put a spa on pavers. An EZ pad would help distribute the weight, but isn't necessary. What is your soil like? I have my spa on pavers, but Its pretty much solid clay underneath, gotta thank D.R. Horton for scraping our lots.

They decided to keep it. I would have too though. Lmao.

Well, This would be a nice upgrade from my 1994. Is it worth it? I could probably bargain them down. http://denver.craigslist.org/for/2883311035.html

I doubt the company will survive, for less than the price of a Thermospa, you can get a HotSprings, which is an actual quality tub, with a good company supporting it.

I have similar jets on my hotsprings, I found the only option was to replace them.

So, we've decided that we love our spa, a 1994 HotSprings Jetsetter, and would like to upgrade to a larger/newer spa. I was looking at this one specifically, but the only thing that worries me is the crack. However, it is above the water line, and I could drill and seal it. Good deal as long as it's up and running? http://denver.craigslist.org/for/2877370576.html

Never heard of them. If I were you, I would go for a reconditioned HotSprings, Sundance, or Marquis.

Aquarists also have to deal with friction generated heat in their fish tanks; salt water tanks require very high water flow and some tanks actually require chillers optimal temperatures. The greatest heat source is lighting, however I have read of discussions about why these chillers sometimes come on when the lights are off and it was determined that the friction of the water through some types of filter systems will cause additional heat that must be dealt with. I've been keeping reef aquariums for many, many, years. This argument is invalid. Typically the reason you have heat problems is because of the lighting (Metal halides throw a TON of heat), so you got that right, but the reason chillers sometimes come on when the lights are off is not because of the filter systems. To keep most corals, you must have a lot of flow in your tank, I myself have four 1,00GPH circulation pumps in my tank, which throw off a ton of heat, you have protein skimmer pumps, more heat, refugium lights (which are on 24/7), more heat, and you have large return pumps (Mine is ~1800GPH on my 125 gallon reef), it's basically a small hot tub pump. Not to mention moon lights (dim lights that are on when the main lights are off), reactor pumps, uv sterilizers, and even ozone systems. The heat created is most likely not from friction, but from water cooled pumps.

I would assume that the law requires you to lock the spa cover after use, Usually it's inground pools that cause problems. I would call the city and see what you need to do.

I would go for a rebuild, especially since you have a plumber in your family. If you don't mind putting time, and a little bit of money into it, then go for it.

There's a company here in Colorado that uses that method. Wind River Spas, they do a high density closed-cell foam around the shell and then thermal panes around the cabinet. My neighbor has a Tornado model ~525 gallons, and he said it has added $15 at the most to his electric bill. I'm pretty sure the air intakes for the jets pull air from outside the cabinet. The method works, if done correctly.

Looks like a Dimension One Diplomat. Try to talk him down on price, you have no idea what it could need. If it's a slow leak, ask if he could fill it so you could see the pumps run, and the control panel work. If you're ok with putting work into it, then you'll be ok.

Watkins is a great manufacturer. They've been in business a long time, stand behind their product, and can back up the warranty, unlike other fly by night spa manufacturers (*cough* *cough* Thermospas *cough* *cough*). Cal Spas has also had a reputation for being a bad company. There are just as many, if not more bad American manufacturers than Canadian, he was just adding one to the list. If it were me, I would go for the Watkins.

+1 Wet test, and take the one you like better. I will say that HotSprings makes an exceptional tub, and the Marquis won't have that much better of a warranty, seeing as how it's their low end line.

While I don't believe that you should purchase a tub without seeing or wet testing it, Just because something costs more, doesn't mean it's better. Take Thermospas for example, they toss a huge price tag on it, and people automatically think it's a great tub. The strong spas, you kind of know what you're getting, and most likely, it will outlast the Thermospa. For instance, we paid ~35K for our '02 TrailBlazer, and my son bought a used '03 Range Rover HSE last year, the Range was a much more expensive car to begin with, and while it's very nice. It's a POS mechanically. The Trailblazer held up much better, and hasn't had any major repairs. Just because it costs more, doesn't always mean it's better.