Hot tubs

[Knightrofins]

Here it would need to be on always...warmest day so far this year has been maybe 80 and it was for only two days..
Part of the reason I'm pushing to get this done before the colder weather shows up..warm water sounds good when it's 50 degrees for months on end.

Hope all is well Knights.

Hope all is well you with you as well.

We only turn out heater on a few months out of the year and thats only when we are at least 90% certain that we are going to be in the pool the next day.

If you get the hot tub, the next step MUST be an outdoor tv. I now have a set up where i sit in my hot tub (pool temp which is warm) and watch sports while having a drink. Its WONDERFUL. (I dont smoke but a cigar would be 10000% perfect)

 

[brendanjack]

another option for heating is heat exchanger not sure what your home system is but you can always add another circulator pump and make your tub another zone but you want to Insulate your pipes well because of heat loss especially if your in a northern climate .great option but not great if you go salt extremely corrosive on exchangers maybe they got one now in nickel which can take a hell of a bigger beating then copper

 

[Bozzie]

always? then start budgeting for a siezable increased monthy electrical bill- look into higher end $ projected numbers so as to not be too surprised (if its an issue/concern) I've got an inground pool, with a hot tub at one end that flows into , not overly large at all. had a few months over the yrs that i had to give that fuckin' electrical bill a second look....

i wouldnt cut corners on the heater, imo

enjoy

Man.. that's it, I'm going with the low tech approach two tubs with a 8 gallon the propane tank...sounds like an 8 gallon tank would last 3 weeks and is about 20 bucks to fill @2.25 a gallon

This way it'll be totally self contained no chemicals/ no electrical/ the propane heaters seem pretty straight forward but I'll need to make a cover or something to protect the heater from the rains here.
Hard part will be refinishing the tubs I think..7 day cure time on the epoxy and you need to have a heated space.
I'm starting the site prep today..I'll post a few pics as it moves on if anyones interested..even if it's a disaster and It could be.

Thanks ricboff for the heads up.

 

[brendanjack]

as far as claw foot tubs I'd be A little nervous on loss of water when running if it's got good turbulence.depth of tub probably fairly minimal and once you add aeration and jet could be empty .

 

[brendanjack]

do a monolithic concrete pour or do in stages reinforced with 3/8 rebar 12 inches on center . stub plumb it first then pour could be extremely simple.

 

[Bozzie]

another option for heating is heat exchanger not sure what your home system is but you can always add another circulator pump and make your tub another zone but you want to Insulate your pipes well because of heat loss especially if your in a northern climate .great option but not great if you go salt extremely corrosive on exchangers maybe they got one now in nickel which can take a hell of a bigger beating then copper

We are having radiant ground heat in the kitchen and master bath ..interesting idea that would work well.
I'm hoping to get this in before we start the work witch I'll be doing a good part of...can't wait, but I'll need that soak after beating this place up for what I'd guess will be 6 months easy and somewhere north of 200k ....ufff shit is expensive.

 

[Bozzie]

as far as claw foot tubs I'd be A little nervous on loss of water when running if it's got good turbulence.depth of tub probably fairly minimal and once you add aeration and jet could be empty .

Dude.. your biz sounds cool..I got roped in to the wrong field unfortunately after sorta being on the right path initially.
Think it's just going to be a soaking tub..no actions.

 

[Bozzie]

do a monolithic concrete pour or do in stages reinforced with 3/8 rebar 12 inches on center . stub plumb it first then pour could be extremely simple.

I've done some concrete work before but that sounds super advanced.
I'll have to pour a simple footings for the legs so these claw foots don't sink into the ground over time..but I've always want to do a pool pour.

 

[Bozzie]

Let me know how this goes. My wife has been talking about putting one in the sunroom.
I just think it will be a bitch to fix if there are any issues. The tub...not the wife.

haha that's good...funny bruins

 

[patswin]

Ive had a jacuzzi tub for the last decade or so, its held up well. They cost a bit more but the quality is top notch. You should be able to negotiate a little if you buy from a dealer, we got the price down a bit and they threw in a cover lifter and steps. We do not use it as much as we should be we live in NYS so the best months are fall and winter.

Downside- Can be expensive and it adds to our electric bill a little each month, you have to keep up with chemicals and make sure you are getting the correct levels like you would in a swimming pool. I buy most of my supplies from Amazon or a local store. You have to change the water every a couple of months. Water quality maint. is very important in a hot tub.

Upside- You can really feel great afterwards, helps relax aching muscles. Can lead to the start of hot sex if in the right area. Nice to look up at the stars or a full moon at night.

Lastly I wouldn't pay for a radio, I use a portable bluetooth speaker right next to the tub and its sounds better than the ones that come with cheap speakers plus you can move it around.

Also ours is on a deck now but we did start out on gravel. I wouldn't do that again, I would put in a concrete pad first

 

[Bozzie]

Ive had a jacuzzi tub for the last decade or so, its held up well. They cost a bit more but the quality is top notch. You should be able to negotiate a little if you buy from a dealer, we got the price down a bit and they threw in a cover lifter and steps. We do not use it as much as we should be we live in NYS so the best months are fall and winter.

Downside- Can be expensive and it adds to our electric bill a little each month, you have to keep up with chemicals and make sure you are getting the correct levels like you would in a swimming pool. I buy most of my supplies from Amazon or a local store. You have to change the water every a couple of months. Water quality maint. is very important in a hot tub.

Upside- You can really feel great afterwards, helps relax aching muscles. Can lead to the start of hot sex if in the right area. Nice to look up at the stars or a full moon at night.

Lastly I wouldn't pay for a radio, I use a portable bluetooth speaker right next to the tub and its sounds better than the ones that come with cheap speakers plus you can move it around.

Also ours is on a deck now but we did start out on gravel. I wouldn't do that again, I would put in a concrete pad first

Thanks a lot, great info.
I bought 2 clawfoot tubs and ordered the propane hot water tank..going low tech and easy.
I like the thought with the speakers..going to do that.

I'll post a few pics for the hell of it.

thanks for the input everyone..it helped

 

[brendanjack]

That inflatable tub I was telling you about is made by intex . My customer payed 450. Sounds like you got a plan . Definetly make some type of covers so you can retain some heat loss. Propane burns way more efficiently then natural gas but adding a cover should retain 10-15 degrees above ambient at least that’s the average right now in pools I’m still servicing . Your going to need a filter just a simple cartridge filter should be good . If your heating and filtering both tubs together you will need to put in some sort of equalizer between the two bodies or 1 will be overflowing during circulation.