120 vs 240 hot tub set up..?

Joel S

im going to get my 1st hot tub and im trying to figure out if 120 or 240volt is better..
my understanding is 240 pulls less amps? making it cheaper to run?
i have some heavy gauge wire and theres a 220v plug in my garage.. looks like a normal outlet but top 2 prongs are horz instead of verticle..
would i just needa do some simple wiring to get the 240v tub going?
and are there benefits of 240 over 120? thanks
so do you save electricity by going 240 and pulling less amps?

Answer
I installed my hot tub using 240 volts. It is less amps, and as easy to wire as 120. Just get the numbers off of the plug on your hot tub, go to the hardware store and get the correct outlet. The one you have now may be the same as the one on your tub.
I wired my tub direct (no plug) with a GFCI, and a disconnect switch because we won't be moving it any time soon. I used 8 Ga. wire and put it in conduit all the way to the connection in the tub.
The closer to the power source the better. Make sure that the tub is level, and that there is good drainage. I leveled my site and used compacted crusher fines from my local concrete company.
Yes, you will generally pay less by going with 240 V.

Used hot tub, how do I clean it?

Willow

Just moved to a new house. The old owners said it is currently on a setting where it turns on around twice a day, but I'd like to clean/shock it before we start using it. I've never had a hot tub before so I'm not sure what to do.

What is the best way to clean it without emptying out all the water? It is an average sized tub that seats probably 6-8 people.

Thanks for your help!
@crazy: The sides are slimy and it smells bad.

Answer
Your hot tub water has a life of its own, and with that comes a unique set of challenges. Your authorized hot tub dealer can provide you with the guidance you need to select the appropriate chemicals to keep a sparkling clean hot tub under any conditions. There are three main components to water maintenance â water filtration, chemical balance/pH control and water sanitation.

Water sanitation can be achieved through the regular addition of a sanitizer that has been recommended by your hot tub dealer. The sanitizer â typically a bromine- or chlorine-based product â controls the bacteria and algae in the hot tub water.

The introduction of the bacteria-fighting chemicals necessitates that you monitor the chemical balance of your water. You will have to add chemicals to maintain proper levels of Total Alkalinity (TA), Calcium Hardness (CH) and pH. Frequent testing of the water â preferably weekly â will allow you to maintain the balance and minimize such hot tub trouble makers as scale buildup and the corrosion of metals.

Here are some links with more information about hot tub maintenance. I hope this helps.

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hot tub question?

Patty

I am getting ready to start the hot tub up for the winter. What do I need in the form of chemicals from the start up?

Answer
First thing everytime you put new water into your hot tub or pool is you have to balance the water. First test your alaklinity. It needs to be between 80-120ppm. You cna adujst it upwards by adding Baking soda (Sodium Bicarbonate/Sodium hydrogen carbonate) next adjust the ph to 7.2-7.8. YOU want it as close as you can to 7.4-7.5. Next adjust the Calcium level to 250ppm-400ppm, by adding Calicum Carbonate (Hardness increaser). After all of th add your sanitizer, being Bromine 35 ppm, or Chlorine 1-3ppm. I hope you have a CD ozonater and perhaps a mineral stick also of copper or silver. I really like using a non-cholrine shock...MPS. Of course there's are othersanitizers like biguinde and hydrogen peroxide for a shock by Baquaspa or Bioguard. I am not a fan of them, especially if you have any kind of breathing issues.

If possible take you water to a hot tub store and have them test it. I cannot stress ths step enough since then you will have a nice computerized record 6x a year showing you have nice perfectly balanced water then when the heater goes you will be able to not let the manufacture say your heater was destroyed form improper water chemistry.

The more things you use too by the way that are not needed if your water is perfectly balanced like water clarifier, fragrances and foam dispensers will cause more peoblems by dreating more total disolved solids to be in the water there fore making it harder to balance and keep clean. Be sure to clean your filters properly with a filter cleaner. Bromine is more stable at high temperatures then chlorine.

Hot Tub...?

Rrr R

2004 Bahia, Sundance hot tub. It was 6 grand and a couple hundred when I bought it brand new, used but in good condition, it looks new on the inside and outside and works great, I'll sell it with the orignal cover and step stool; how much do you think it is worth?

Answer
I have to agree with the answerer "anawesom" above me. Spas have little value on the secondary market. I have one myself and looked at used ones before I invested into my new one. The warranties now cover everything and no one wants to buy potential problems and have the inconvenience of finding a way to move it from your location to theirs. Plus, most spa stores around here take back used spas in trade when their customers upgrade. So they have huge sales on reconditioned spas, include delivery and set up, locking spa covers, stairs, 90 days worth of chemicals and give you a warranty as well. My neighbor has been trying to sell his very well maintained $8,000 (new) spa for around $1200 for at least a year and has only had 1 person even bother to come out to take a look at it and he went to the reconditioned factory sale to buy the same spa there.

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How do I really really clean my hot tub?

hot tubs 8 image

shouldbwor

I know it is disgusting, but I ignored my hot tub for 8 months. I drained it tonight & there is a disgusting slimy scum over everything. I think I should clean the jets & drains really well, but don't know how to do it.

Answer
You don't want any scrubby chemicals, but you do want something that will cut through the slime and kill it. You can try a bleach-based cleaner, like Clorox CleanUp, but make sure you rinse it REALLY well. It has some sudsing detergent that will make your water/chemical levels hard to control.

I use some stuff recommended by my spa dealer. It is a red, pasty stuff that you squirt on, smear around with a sponge, then let sit. Come back and rub it again, then rinse. I think it is called "Off The Wall." http://www.spaexpo.us/pages/spa-guard-austin-tx

You can clean the inside as best you can, then refill and try "Swirl Away." http://spasandmore.com/catalog/chemicals-spa-hot-tub/swirl-away-pipe-cleaner-for-hot-tubs-jetted-bath-tubs-and-spas-606.html. You would then have to re-drain, then refill the tub again. And I would definitely give the final 'clean' water a good shocking.

Has anyone ever moved a hot tub?

Lisa E

We're trying to find a way to move a hot tub from one home to another...the hot tub is in Indiana and residence is in Ohio. The largest rental truck (U-Haul) is only 7 ft. wide and 6 1/2 ft. tall and the hot tub is 8 ft. in diameter. We don't have a hitch so we can't use a trailer. Are there companies who will move such a thing from one state to another?

Answer
http://www.uship.com/ship/
A trucker friend advised this method of moving large items.

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