Hot Tub Buying 101 - What to Look For? - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Winsor_Pilates · 01-18-2011, 08:17 PM

I'm looking to get a hot tub for my place sometime late summer/early Fall and thought I'd start educating myself on them.

I've never had one before, so am looking for advice on what to look for in quality, features, info on maintenance etc.
It will be an outdoor tub (incase that matters)

So far all I know is hot tubs that are time machines are cool

MacDaddy77 · 01-18-2011, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Winsor_Pilates

I'm looking to get a hot tub for my place sometime late summer/early Fall and thought I'd start educating myself on them.

I've never had one before, so am looking for advice on what to look for in quality, features, info on maintenance etc.
It will be an outdoor tub (incase that matters)

So far all I know is hot tubs that are time machines are cool

I have a $1500 coupon for a hot tub that I'm still trying to get the money back I paid for it. If I can get $400 I would be really happy. I bought it at a silent auction to support a friends dad's foundation, and then we decided we didn't want a hot tub.

http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showthread.php?t=91429

Gundo · 01-18-2011, 09:10 PM

The Time Machine is a little extra but well worth it.......

Flame Of Liberty · 01-18-2011, 10:04 PM

Two chicks?

Nage Waza · 01-18-2011, 11:37 PM

I would suggest a smaller hot tub, they are easier to maintain and cost less and take less energy to run. I don't think I ever had more than a handful of people in my tub. Go for one that fits four people snug, but not much more. Less is better.
I never was a huge fan of all the assorted jets you can get, but you may as well get one with the two seats and bench area that you can lay down on.
Lights are kind of cool, but I like to look at the stars so they were always off. Don't get a tv or stereo, that is totally useless.
I have had people pass out several minutes after being in the tub, so if you do have guests make sure they are aware of how long they spend in the tub.
I did move and no longer have a hot tub, but now I am just waiting on buying one. This thread makes me want to get one this weekend!
Your electricity bills will go up, that depends on the size of the tub, motors and temperature.

GreatWhiteEbola · 01-19-2011, 12:00 AM

Hot tubs are a serious PITA! Be sure you have an electrician look over your homes circuitry before you install it. In the winter, I used to keep a cattle trough heater in mine, I never knew when the breaker would blow...

It may have become easier with the chemicals in the past few years, I hated having to check pH levels every other day.

It was good for relaxation though.

HotHotHeat · 01-19-2011, 12:42 AM

Don't get one with speakers or anything, it will most definitely get ruined during a party or during winter use.

algernon · 01-19-2011, 01:14 AM

If you avoid paradise bay, I will buy you a beer, as their commercials are (hopefully were) intolerable (proof of purchase not necessary).

JBR · 01-19-2011, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HotHotHeat

Don't get one with speakers or anything, it will most definitely get ruined during a party or during winter use.

Don't allow Chernoble near the tub and you should be OK.

Icon · 01-19-2011, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flame Of Liberty

Two chicks?

One tub?

Russic · 01-19-2011, 10:05 AM

This thought came to me recently (in a hottub actually). Don't pay extra for a hottub with speakers or a video screen ... Just wait until the new line of iPads come out in the summer and buy a used one off of somebody for cheap. Rig yourself up something to hold it and buy a $10 set of computer speakers from Dell. Boom.

I will echo the sentiments of those saying to go small. My folks have a giant one and while it's cool for the party they throw every 3 years, it's almost always 4 or less people. It takes more energy and time to heat it, which can be a pain in the ass.

Winsor_Pilates · 01-19-2011, 11:42 AM

Thanks for the comments. It will be sitting on a terrace of a condo, so I won't be wanting to go too big or need speakers/TV's etc. It's close enough to my inside space to work around that.
I've got the developer building in a 220 volt electric line and plumbing in the location I need it, so that should help with the electrical issues some have mentioned.

Pinner · 01-19-2011, 11:50 AM

I'm not sure but I think you can lose your driver's license if you drink in the tub

Boblobla · 01-19-2011, 11:52 AM

You can lose a lot more than your license...

troutman · 01-19-2011, 11:53 AM

Hand-holds and stirrups.

8sPOT · 01-19-2011, 11:56 AM

Bought one last Spring and it was a great investment. The salesmen said that a lot of tubs are now made with a higher efficiency insulated shell so it uses less power. He figured about $20 a month extra for power and I gotta say he was pretty close. On average it's about $20-$30 extra per month.

I agree with not getting the speakers and tv, not worth it. The lights however I do like.

As far as maintenance, it depends how much use it gets. I check my chemicals maybe twice a week, and buy them online for fairly cheap.

After my b-day hot tub time machine party, I had to drain the sucker and refill it.

Mine is a 6 person and I wouldn't get small than that. I am 6'2" 215 pounds and most of my buddies are about the same. It's nice to have 4 people and not be on top of each other. Now, if there are females in the tub, you stand up and accidentally fall in there direction, you are good to go from there.

I would also get a cover lifter, very handy when you go out there with a few beers and whatnot. The hydraulic ones work very well, even in the winter.

Overall, I spent about $8,500 ($1100 for electrician to do his thing) and it was money well spent.

Bill Bumface · 01-19-2011, 12:36 PM

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.

underGRADFlame · 03-26-2021, 05:42 PM

I'm going to do a massive thread bump here.

The wife and I are debating getting a tub. I have the pad in the backyard already and electrical won't be an issue but Im very confused on which way to go.

We stopped by a sales room today and it felt as greasy as but a car... I see Costco has a few options too. We aren't looking for a Cadillac of hot tubs... just something basic, but will last more than a couple of years.

Any advice would be welcome.

olli jokinen · 03-26-2021, 07:01 PM

I would avoid Costco. I bought a Master Spa. World of Hot Tubs seems like a very good dealer, I had to buy from Empress which was not great but they lost the Master Spa line....

VladtheImpaler · 03-26-2021, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by olli jokinen

I would avoid Costco. I bought a Master Spa. World of Hot Tubs seems like a very good dealer, I had to buy from Empress which was not great but they lost the Master Spa line....

Why not Costco? Honest question.