Hot Tub Buying 101 - What to Look For?

[underGRADFlame]

Originally Posted by VladtheImpaler

Why not Costco? Honest question.

Yeah Costco carries Beachcomber, they seem to be a decent brand?

[LIP MAN]

Talk to Ryan at Lakeland Spas and hot tubs

[underGRADFlame]

Originally Posted by LIP MAN

Talk to Ryan at Lakeland Spas and hot tubs

Where? Google shows a New Jersey.

[puckedoff]

Originally Posted by underGRADFlame

Where? Google shows a New Jersey.

Yep, that's the one.

[Bill Bumface]

01-19-2011

Originally Posted by Bill Bumface

The chemicals in Calgary with our hard water are really easy. I have a bromine floaty, and all I ever do is fill it up or chuck a bromine tablet in the intake basket after heavy use (a big party or something) and once in a while a little baking soda (AKA "Alk-up"... don't pay for that stuff) and my water always tests perfect.

That's a hell of a thread bump. I've been waiting for this same hot tub to die for a decade now it seems. I had to fix it a bunch initially, rarely use it, and decided next issue it was gone. The thing is easily over 20 years old now.

[Ducay]

Originally Posted by VladtheImpaler

Why not Costco? Honest question.

Originally Posted by underGRADFlame

Yeah Costco carries Beachcomber, they seem to be a decent brand?

I got a Costco Beachcomber (unit below) last year and its been great. Being able to order online and have it delivered without having to suffer through the in-store experience was well worth it, and I believe it is a good value. Its a full acrylic spa and a brand that is sold in store (at your typical hot tub stores) if you wanted to check one out locally beforehand.

Lead times are insane right now, (4 months+) but I think that is true of every hot tub brand right now.

https://www.costco.ca/beachcomber-65...100464838.html

The only downside is its built in Surrey

[8 Ball]

Sunspa is a very good hot tub store. Good selection, and the service (which I find really important) is second to none. My tub bled out this winter due to a a bad leak on one of the pumps. They were on it it the same day, fixed the leak and had it refilled before it froze. They had the parts in stock, and the tub is 15 years old.

[afc wimbledon]

I just got a 140 gallon black poly horse watering trough and fill it with hot water from the kitchen tap, but I'm ghetto af

[IGGYRULES]

Beachcomber is good. Personally I think Arctic makes the best tub out there. You can negotiate a decent % off too. Play the different brands off each other. Frog, Arctic, Beachcomber etc...

We have an Arctic summit. I like the Arctic becasue the insulation is on the cabinet and not sprayed on the acrylic. Makes any servicing or jet replacements (if you need to) easier. Also more energy efficient imo the heat from the pumps is retained within the cabinet and heats the shell. Less chance of a freeze up if there is an extended power outage as well. Cover is best in the business.

[BOSSY]

We bought one from Jacuzzi by Chinook Centre in October also looked at Paradise Bay and another one (can’t remember the name but right across the street from Jacuzzi)... night and day difference between the stores. Paradise Bay not bad not great - the other one was a joke it was going into frat party we found jacuzzi very professional and helpful. Spent about $7,500 got lights,a fountain (stupid in my opinion) stairs, cover lifter (super convenient) and a bunch of extra chemicals...Super happy with it love sitting out on a even a -15 night looking at the stars... Had someone on the forum do the electrical for much cheaper than a couple other electricians quoted.... just put a spoon of two different Chen’s in after each use and do a full chem thing once a week... Super happy with it!

[underGRADFlame]

So after a day of visiting stores and looking at tubs we are down to 2...

1. Sundance 780 Montclair from Sun Spa
2. Coast Element L Classic from Hot Water Spas and Pools

Any recommendations or comments?

[D as in David]

Originally Posted by underGRADFlame

So after a day of visiting stores and looking at tubs we are down to 2...

1. Sundance 780 Montclair from Sun Spa
2. Coast Element L Classic from Hot Water Spas and Pools

Any recommendations or comments?

It wouldn't hurt to test them out in the store. When we bought ours, a salesman at one of the stores recommended it. Reason for it is that some of the seating will affect different people differently depending on centre of gravity, etc. as you may find that you slide out of a seat and can't comfortably remain in that seat. As it turned out, we didn't buy the spa from that salesman because the spa had that effect on me (but no one else in my family).

[Ace]

So do you hot tub owners have mice problems, I never ever considered this until a former coworker tore out his old tub and just had tons of droppings everywhere. After hearing that I assume the mice nest up in these things everywhere to stay warm.

[Suave]

Originally Posted by underGRADFlame

So after a day of visiting stores and looking at tubs we are down to 2...

1. Sundance 780 Montclair from Sun Spa
2. Coast Element L Classic from Hot Water Spas and Pools

Any recommendations or comments?

I got the Coast Apex L in the fall, happy with it so far. Delivery and setup was smooth and professional. I dealt with the Airdrie store, as the Calgary location was small and didn't have too much on the showroom floor to try out at the time.

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by Ace

So do you hot tub owners have mice problems, I never ever considered this until a former coworker tore out his old tub and just had tons of droppings everywhere. After hearing that I assume the mice nest up in these things everywhere to stay warm.

Yes, I was definitely wrist deep in mouse #### changing a pump seal. Mine is built into a deck, so it was an extra awful job.

[CaptainYooh]

Originally Posted by underGRADFlame

I'm going to do a massive thread bump here. The wife and I are debating getting a tub. ...

FWIW, we have a few friends with hot tubs in their backyards and most of them would not have bought it again. Simply too much hassle for what you are getting. Maintenance costs and effort put into it are not insignificant - these things do need to be taken care of, especially in our climate. All your friends expect you to make it available any time they come over for parties and they are genuinely surprised and annoyed that you can't pour beer and potato chips into it whenever the f... you feel like it. But mostly, once the initial excitement period subsides, the thing just sits unused for most of the year...

[Weitz]

My friends who are hot-tub aficionados swear by Canadian Companies made in Canada.

One word of warning though. Make sure you are hot tub people. Its something you will use basically every day. If you are not you may have similar complaints as CaptainYooh above.

If you plan to use it a couple times a week I wouldn't bother.

[Sliver]

For the price of a hot tub you could reno a bathroom in your house to make it spa-like with a 6' soaker tub. That seems infinitely cooler to me than a hot tub.

I kind of picture dudes getting hot tubs and picturing 20-something bikini-bottoms-only chicks jumping in. In reality, it'll be your big dumb friends farting up a storm in it.

[RichieRich]

Originally Posted by Sliver

For the price of a hot tub you could reno a bathroom in your house to make it spa-like with a 6' soaker tub. That seems infinitely cooler to me than a hot tub.

I kind of picture dudes getting hot tubs and picturing 20-something bikini-bottoms-only chicks jumping in. In reality, it'll be your big dumb friends farting up a storm in it.

Are you offering or threatening?

[Table 5]

My neighbours are hot tub people. They are out there almost every day.

Personally I put hot tubs in the same category as pools, vacation homes, boats, dogs, giant RVs etc. All fun things to get/rent occasional access to... but not something I really want the full-time maintenance/cost burden of.