Spa Questions

[Pony]

My dad just got his hands on a free Spa. We finally got it all wired up and ready to go. I have been testing the water with numerous test kits and have the chemicals pretty much figured out. Now that the spa is up to the correct temperature I am trying to set the timer so that the low pump and heater cycle on just enough to keep the water at 104F and keep the water moving every so often.

How should I set this up for the Summer" Usually about 80F

Winter? Anywhere from -20 to 30F.

Right now I have it set to run for an hour and half at midnight and an hour and a half right before my dad gets home from work. I don't figure it will lose much heat right now but I am not sure if its enough.

Might just have to adjust and observe.........

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Spa Questions

If you want to run it in the summer ..... most people just turn the heat off completely.

I drain mine for the summer.

I use baqua spa chemicals which are peroxide based and just follow the directions. Depending on the model/brand ..... when I turn mine on I just have to maintain it. The heater is automatic and then the entire spa cycles twice a day by itself.

Mine does not lose much heat .... just a tiny amount. I have a 4" insulated cover that fits nicely. The sides are foam filled and so is the bottom..... just like a boat!

I installed the GFCI which is very important too.

Enjoy it!

 

[FLATHEAD]

Re: Spa Questions

Mine is set up and works just like Bob VT. I found the best way to maintain mine is to just drain it and thats it. It was great at first but the novelty wore off pretty quick. For the five or six times I used it a year it just wasn't worth running.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Spa Questions

I was told to drain it every so many months but I do it seasonally ...... I went with the baqua spa because many people can not tolerate the chlorine smell at 104 degrees!

I do use mine in the winter months only.

 

[mike64]

Re: Spa Questions

My wife and I had one at our old house and we used it mainly in the winter. That is by far the best time of year for it. Nothing gets that January cold out of the ol' bones like soaking in a hot tub. Also very cool being in there when snow's falling.

We maintained it at about 3/4 of the full temperature in the winter. Then when we wanted to use it we'd turn it up and it would be hot enough in about 1/2 hour. In summer. like Bob VT said, we'd just turn the heat off. We drained it twice a year-- siphoned with 2 hoses and it took less than an hour.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Spa Questions

It's best to keep it running all the time when the temps are well below freezing, at -20 things freeze rapidly and it's not worth taking a chance.

The water in the spa may stay warm, but the water in the pump, heater and pipes aren't insulated as well and will cool (and freeze) much faster than the spa itself.

To keep costs down on spa maintenance it's best to drain it periodically. As chemicals are added, some of the ingredients are used up, but others are disolved in the water and build up over time, plus all the body oils and such that get into it. These disolved solids will start to interfere with chemical reactions that need to take place to keep the water clean, clear and balanced. You can add more chemicals and try to overcome the problems created by having high TDS (total disolved solids), but it will cost far more money and time than just draining it and starting with clean fresh water.

 

[salty87]

Re: Spa Questions

i'll drain mine every month or so in the winter when it's getting used often. i drain it maybe every other month in the summer. it gets used a little then but not a bunch. i don't like that plastic tub smell the water picks up after too long. plus, all that talk of body solids...gross.

i also use baquaspa. mine doesn't have a timer, i leave it at temp all the time. have you seen under your spa at the insulation? it makes a difference.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Spa Questions

I have done all the maintenance on it and one time I had to dig out the 2 part foam to get to a fitting..... Once I fixed it I re-foamed it.

I have replaced jets, fittings, had the pump re-built but it still works like a champ..... in spite of my repairs!

The insulation is key.......