The Pros and Cons of Hot Tub Ownership

Sandy describes her experience buying, installing and maintaining her Santa Cruz Island Spa. She lists the pros and cons of hot tub ownership. Her hot tub holds 225 gallons of water and has 33 jets. The brochure says it seats 3 but it really seats 2. She also lists all the expenses involved. Things that nobody talks about that you should know before buying a hot tub.

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[lIIIIIllll]

This IS the review that I was looking for. Someone unbiased who gave an honest opinion. I'm questioning whether to build a sauna instead, now...

[catbird]

Sorry to hear about your problems that you were having. I've owned 2 hot tubs over the past 17 years. Replaced the 1st one after 15 years of use. Cabinet was falling apart. I've been doing mechanic work all my life, I'm almost 60 years old, it is a relief for body aches and pains. It does take some getting use to for maintaining. You appeared to have dealt with salespeople, not experts in their fields. Research is a plus, balance of chemicals is in your own water testing. And last, even your own hygiene is important. Being fairly clean before getting in. And yes, your clothing effects the water quality. Too much soap. I let rain water keep my bathing suit free from soap. Dry and ready for the next time. After you wash it, let mother nature dilute the soaps. My wife and I drain and refill it every 3 months. Clean it while it's empty of course. Even rain water deteriorates the quality of the water. We use a floating chemical ball to help maintain it. Water samples every week. It's not a plug and play tub. Our benefits drastically outweigh the maintenance.

[sophiagertz]

Get a frog floater it has silver chemicals in it. You just replace when it turns over. After every use I throw a capful of shock to it. It eliminates oils etc from skin. Mine is on a flat porch. I just drop a hose into it and run the hose into the back of my yard to drain it. You can YouTube the drop method. Then I get into the tub after it is empty with a bucket of vinegar water and wipe it down. Hose out your filter once a month. I’ve had mine for 4 years now and I’m your age. I love it. It’s heavenly.

[whitemus]

This is exactly what kind of info people are looking for! It's a great video and very detailed! Thank you for sharing your experience!

[nikhilgoyal]

Thanks for the detailed breakdown. Exactly the kind of unfiltered info I was looking for. I hope works fine from here on out and you are able to enjoy in the coming years!

[hmallett]

Interesting and enlightening. I also like the style of the video, with a clear and eloquent voiceover.

[mamalovesherkamadojoe]

Thank you for sharing and being honest.

[sneakyb]

If you've ever owned a pool, it's the exact same thing BUT the PH tends to go up more in a hottub. It's STILL worth the trouble of owning one for what you get out of it.

[sandyb.]

Just got out of my tub and it made me appreciate it that much more!

[lainey]

Thanks. I'm a newbie and enjoy sitting out in the hot tub but I didn't get a whole lot of instruction when I got the tub as the installer was very quick to tell me what I need to do. I'm just winging it now. It was delivered at the end of June and the whole month of July has been 90+ temps. Can't wait for the cooler temps so I can hopefully enjoy it a little more.

[Irishwoods]

Ouch! I'm so sorry you initially had so many problems with the tub but am happy it's smooth-sailing now.
My parents sold our family home and bought a beautiful home with a giant, screened patio that included a hot tub. Because of the screen they were able to leave the hot tub uncovered most of the time and perhaps the Miami sunshine helped but they only had a problem once. I loved that hot tub and used it once a week when I was at the house to have dinner. Sometimes, more than once a week. I still miss that hot tub!

[adriancampbell]

Good video. One thing I would of suggested to Sandy is... when you buy a Hot Tub the first load of water is the worst one and the hardest to balance due to the manufacturing residual chemicals that will get into the water. You should heat up that first load of water to104, get a flush kit and drain it. Then your good to go with a fresh load of water. Yeah that's a bit of a pain but absorbing and breathing in chemicals is not good for us so the less the better. Also the chemicals and extra time you will need to balance and maintian that first load of water adds up. Minerals and Bromine are the best option for Hot Tubs, especially if you go away for a week or 2 on a regular bases. Chlorine evaporates, Bromine does not, Bromine and minerals works better in hot water.

[InformationEngineer]

Thank you for your genuine and personal insight into hot tub value/cost.

[Blessd-savingrace]

Wow VERY DETAILED video on pro/cons Hot tub!!!
That store that sold you HT should have KNOWN it was most likely water NOT allergies bc you had already been in it no prob

[reyinfante]

I didn't thought of the chemical maintenance as well as the electricity costs. I have also the same size as in the video. Luckily, the spa store is just about 5 miles away, helpful, they give empty bottle and give it to them for water analysis for free. Since I cannot turn it off, I just lower the temp to the lowest setting after I use it, probably using it again 4 days later but see to it that I increase it the day before. It also helps to move to a cheaper state so electrical costs are cheaper and I have solar. (move from CA). Always cover it and put chlorine after using it to kill the bacteria/algae. Winterize it by draining and it will save you more in wintertime when you don't intend to use it. Draining is done every 6 months which it is also a ritual to do. I plan to drain them on a rain barrel to water the plants.. Chemicals are around $13 each although the shock costs $25 and I think those bottles lasts 6 months. I find test strips sometimes a guessing game to read so I like the bottle container tests.
I believe you are being victimized by salesmen and handyman since it looks like you are doing it alone at your age. I just call customer service of the spa (not home depot where i bought it) . Allergies are determined by a doctor. There are now gadgets that lower the consumption of chlorine. 2023- Spa is $2.5 K(sale from $4.5), Elect -$100, Cement -like free since included when I had a cement installed in the gazebo . The more bells and whistles (size, economy, sleep, quiet mode, etc., the more expensive it will be. Mine has waterfall and multi lights.
Overall, I think it adds to the value of the house. But read more about using the SPA to be more safe - as like what happened to Matthew Perry.. These are things they won't tell you.

[MrThenry]

I just put one in. I did the electric myself. After i filled it and warmed it up the company came out and showed us how to keep the water right. Not to hard. You do have to stay after it. Twice a week you have to check it.

[sophiagertz]

Also, whenever you have plans to be away, drain and clean it. Say you have to go into the hospital for surgery or even a vacay, drain it. Clean it and when you get back start over. Sometimes a break away for a couple months is good. Never get into a cloudy tub.

[jackdawson]

Nice video.Artesians are great spas.. Its really not that difficult to balance your water. I don't use test strips for alkalinity and PH. I use a liquid test kit. Much more accurate and easier to read. The most important thing to do is get your alkalinity within the recommended range, then balance your PH. Next is calcium hardness. That usually is a one time thing when filling you tub with new water. That's about it. You should only have to adjust every couple of weeks. As for chlorine, that should be tested every couple of days with a strip. Add a little as needed and once a week you should use a non- chlorine shock. If going on vacation, you should add extra chlorine before leaving and then shock when you come backm It helps to have a hot tub with either a salt system or ionizer. I have a Hot Springs Highlife series with a salt system and maintenance is almost automatic. If on a tight budget, Hot Springs also has entry level tubs that use Frog Ease sanitation systems that are easy and effective. Your spa should have come with an ozonator and Frog Ease option as well...well worth it.. I hope your maintenance people don't charge you too much because it really is easy. Good luck.

[dutyforce]

It's been a dream of mine for years & finally this coming weekend I get to pick up my new second hand hot tub spa! I've seen it working, heating & was very quiet running. I intend to use this all year round in Australia, hot or cold. I hope I'll get the chemical issues right quickly.
Thanks for your informative video. ❤😃🖐🇦🇺

[NoLifeKingRL]

Many thanks for the info Sandy. This is type of first hand account of all the little trials and tribulations is worth it's weight in gold. I'm in the process of buying a home that has a hot tub and after negotiations the sellers are actually going to end up taking it. It's 12 years old and I was worried it would start leaking or some other headache soon. I did like the idea of it though. I think it's going to be less hassle just skipping it... Glad you are enjoying yours now that you have it figured out though.