Purchased my 2011 Arctic Spa Summit Legend in August. Was assured by my dealer that although Arctic had issues with prior salt systems, the current version (8) was free of problems. Appeared to work properly initially but water went cloudy and could not be recovered. Additionally, I could never maintain any measurable amount of bromine. Religious attention was paid to water balance (pre-filter water filling, weekly water testing and weekly filter cleaning). Within two months the water had to be changed three times (note: It was rarely used. Bathed without soap prior to use and even used without bathing suits). All this, combined with cost of chemicals to re-balance and re-salt made the whole "spa experience" HELL! Have come to the conclusion that either the dealer doesn't know what's going on or just doesn't care about after sales service except to sell more chemicals. Subsequent calls to Arctic were met with "well the dealer should of" and "the salt generator is meant to be replaceable, speak to your dealer". Sure, I agree but, every two months!! (That's $600 per year, just on salt generators!)
After all that stick handling and passing the buck, I was on the verge of putting the money pit up for sale. As a last ditch effort, I re-filled and re-balanced. Chucked the salt in the garbage. Added bromine granules for an initial bromine bank and put some bromine tabs in a floater and Voila!! Crystal clear, odour free water with a proper bromine residual! Could it be! I didn't want to push my luck and monitored for a few weeks while adding 1/2 cap of shock after our now regular use. The water continues to remain so clear, it appears like it was just filled! The hellish burden of maintaining the water has dropped by 95%. It also proved it had nothing to do with me, or filters or bathing suits...
From other Arctic onzen posts there seemed to common thread that it was the spa owner who could not manage their tubs. Change filters, clean filters weekly, bi-weekly, daily. Do this, buy that. Were here to help....Well I think the shoes fits better on the other foot and Arctic and their dealer network should stop paying lip service, properly test their equipment and then stand by it afterward. Either the onzen systems are defective or the salt mixture is ineffective or both.
In all fairness, the Summit (without the salt) is now the tub it was claimed to be. Enjoyable, relaxing and energy efficient.
Thank you for this forum. It would appear to be only voice the consumer has to be heard by other consumers.
