Spa Accessories

You finally got your hot tub up and running, your chemicals are figured out, now what? It’s time to accessorize! There are many products out there that can make your hot tub experience simply amazing, by adding safety, convenience, and cleanliness.

Safety is the number one concern of many people when it comes to their hot tub, there are a few spa accessories available that can greatly increase the safety of your hot tub.

· First of all, a sturdy set of hot tub steps are a must have. A durable set of spa steps will help you to avoid any strain or slipping when entering or exiting your spa. There are several different styles available to fit your taste and budget. The spa steps come in many colors making it easy to match them to your hot tub cabinet allowing you to not only use them for safety but a great look as well.

· The second safety accessory to be aware of is the spa handrails. Handrails such as the Spa Side Handrail w/ LED Light or the Safe-T-Rail, will add extra support when entering and exiting your spa making it much safer. They are made very easy to install and as a stylish add-on to your spa exterior.

· On the subject of safety, I believe there is one more must have, cover clips. Hot Tub Cover Clips will ensure your cover stays put right where you want it to be. Whether they are protecting against the curious kids wanting to look inside your spa or just wind and harsh weather. Cover clips will offer you piece of mind that your cover is secure.

If you are like most people you bought your spa as a way to help you relax. There are some great accessories available to maximize convenience which will maximize relaxation.

· Nothing is better to help you relax than a nice beverage or snack. With a side table tray for your spa, like the Spa Caddy or the Smart Bar w/ drawer, you will no longer have to worry about spilling your drink in the water. These tables which mount right to the side of your spa will hold whatever you need, keeping it easily accessible while soaking.

· When looking for convenience, you may also want to look at the Smart Drawer, this drawer fits in the Smart Step Hot Tub Steps, and is included with the Smart Bar and Smart Step Jr. It is a great place for storage of you other hot tub accessories.

Keeping your hot tub clean of dirt and debris is a common concern many people have, there are some great accessories to help you get a good fast clean for your spa.

· The Pool Blaster Aquabroom is a great battery powered cleaner for your spa. Used together with the Aquabroom Sand and Silt Bag, it will remove even the tiniest debris from your water. Powered by 5 D-cell batteries it can clean for up to 3 hours.

· The Pool Blaster Catfish Vacuum works great for cleaning all Fiberglass, Acrylic, Stainless and Cement Hot Tubs. We find it works best with the vacuum head detached to quickly get into the corners. The Catfish has plenty of suction clean your spa quickly and economically. The Catfish is powered by a rechargeable battery, allowing up to 45 minutes of run time on a single charge. Paired with the Catfish Sand and Silt Bag it will give your spa a fantastic clean.

· The Grit-Gitter is a very easy to use spot cleaning tool for your hot tub. It is a very small handheld suction device that can be used while you are soaking in your tub, picking up particles that have settled inside your spa. It is great for tight corners. The Grit Gitter floats so it can stay in your spa and be available at the reach of your hand.

· One thing many people don’t always think about is the goo they are bringing into their hot tub with them, from things like body oils and lotions. The Goo Getter will take care of these for you; it simply floats in your water and absorbs over 40 times its own weight in body oils and lotions that are contaminating your water. When one side is slimy your just flip it over, then when the entire thing is saturated simply squeeze out, rinse clean, and reuse!

· Another way you can make sure you have sparkling clean water is by using a pre-fill filter when filling up you spa. The Pure-Fill Spa Pre Filter will remove the impurities in your garden hose water before putting them into your spa. The use of a pre-filter will also make balancing your chemicals much easier the first time around.

· Getting a thorough deep clean of your spa filter can also help keep your water clean. The Filter Flosser is a wonderful tool to get a thorough clean of your hot tub filter. It simply hooks right on to your garden hose; it uses 50% less water and takes 50% less time to clean your filter. It is made of a corrosion resistant aluminum, not a leaky plastic- which will provide years of use.

For more on all of these spa accessories and to view our full line please visit us at www.hottubwarehouse.com.

At Hot Tub Warehouse it is our goal to be your go to spot for all of your spa needs. If you have any questions about any of our products please contact us.

What Do I Need to Know About My Spa Pump?

When we get calls from customers looking for help, we get more calls about spa pumps than anything else we sell. There are a few things you should know about your pump that will help you when trying to restore/ replace it.

A very common problem in older spas is the failure of the hot tub pump. Restoring your pump can give you many more years of enjoyable use out of your hot tub.

First of all let’s start with the anatomy of the pump. The pump has two main parts the “wet” end and the “dry” end. The pumps wet end houses the impeller which moves the water; the dry end houses the electric motor which moves the impeller.

As these two parts are separate it is possible to replace just the wet end or the motor, however if your entire pump is more than 2-3 years old we recommend replacing the entire thing. Replacing the entire spa pump will save you headaches in the future.

If you are going to replace the entire hot tub pump there are a few things you will need to know when looking for a new pump.

· What is the horsepower of the pump that you are replacing? Although you can use a different horsepower pump than what was originally used, it would change the pressure of the water flow coming through your jets. When the manufacturers choose a pump they base the horse power on the number of jets being serviced. It is recommend that if you choose to use a different horsepower that you do not increase by more than one level. Therefore increasing from a 4 HP to 4.5 HP, or 2 HP to 3 HP, should be okay but you would not want to go from a 1 HP to a 4 HP, as this could cause you problems later on with your equipment.

· What is the speed of the pump? Generally your pump is either going to be a 1 speed or a 2 speed. If you cannot locate the speed on the pump you can tell by how the pump normally supplies water to your jets. If you push the button once do your jets come on low and then pushing it again takes them to a higher speed? If so this would be a 2 speed. If you are still not sure check the AMPS listed on the pump, if only one number is listed chances are you have a 1 speed, if two numbers are listed, it most likely a 2 speed pump.

· What is the frame of your pump? The “frame” means where do the bolts fit that attach the wet end to the motor. Most of the time you can find the frame listed on the label as either 48 or 56. Often with an F indicating that is the “frame” size. If you cannot find an indication of frame size you can measure between the thru-bolts on the pump. A 48 frame will be less than 4 inches between the bolts; a 56 frame will be more than 4 inches between the bolts.

· What is the voltage of the pump you are replacing? The best way to know this is to consult the label on your current pump or your hot tub’s owner’s manual. This is important to check because not all spas that are wired for 240V use 240V pumps some only use 120V pumps.

· The last thing you need to determine is what is the size of the plumbing in your spa? Both the plumbing that takes the water into the pump and the plumbing that takes the water out of the pump. It is common for people to get confused here and want to measure the size of the hole on their wet end---DO NOT does this! You need to look at the PVC pipe within your spa and see what the diameter of the pipe is. This is the size that you will want to use when finding a pump or pump fittings. Most spas will be the same size for both the intake and outtake pipe but be sure to double check just in case yours is one that is not.

After determining all of this information about your pump you are now ready to shop for a replacement. Here at Hot Tub Warehouse we have a large selection of replacement hot tub pumps and any other spa parts you may need.

A Little Bit About Your Spa Heater

One could argue that the hot tub heater is the most important part of your spa. No one wants to sit in freezing cold water unless it is 100 degrees outside and I’m sure that is not what you intended to do with your spa when you purchased it. Also if your heater is not functioning properly it can leave you with a frozen expensive mess in cold winter months. We are going to take your through the basics of troubleshooting, spa heater parts, and tips to extend the life of your heater.

Section 1- Trouble Shooting

Now let’s first cover the basics, if you go to get in to your hot tub and what you expected to be a warm relaxing oasis happens to be more like an ice skating rink, there are a few things to check first:

Is there electricity flowing to your hot tub? Check your control panel and make sure the spa is on. Check the GFCI (a breaker built into a power outlet or housed in a separate box), your high limit, and your home circuit breaker or fuse box. If your GFCI is tripped, it could mean that your heater element is to blame. If your hi-limit is tripped it could mean that you are not getting water flow and it is time to check on your pump. If nothing is tripped and your still have no power we would recommend that you at this point call a spa service technician or an electrician.

Now that the basics are covered and it is determined that you are getting electricity to the tub there are a few other things you can look for. If you are getting power, the next thing is to see if the spa itself is working. Check your control panel for common error readings like FLO or OH. A FLO error reading means there is a problem with your water flow. An OH is an over-heated reading. If your water is over-heating chances are you could have a problem with your thermostat or high-limit switch. If you have a water flow problem, you need to take a look at your pump. If you are not getting these errors and you have water flowing and your heat light is on, it is time to check your heater.

After finding your hot tub’s heater assembly (usually a metal tube with a heating element and other electrical components inside) check for rust and corrosion, if you find these present it is probably time to replace your entire heater assembly.

If the heater housing assembly appears to be in working order and free of rust and corrosion, you can try replacing the heater element. We recommend doing this only if you are very handy as it can be somewhat difficult and dangerous, if you need help please contact a professional spa technician.

Section 2- Heater Parts and Stuff

If you are like me (unhandy), when you first open up your spa and take a look inside at all the parts and try to figure out what each one does it can be a little overwhelming. Here we will provide a little glossary when it comes to the parts of your spa heater.

Heater Assembly- Heater assemblies come in various forms depending on the manufacturer of your hot tub, but the most common is a stainless steel tube that houses the heater element. The housing exchanges heat produced by the element as the water flows through it. Often the assembly will also integrate the high-limit and the thermostat.

Heater Element- The heater element is just what is name says, it is the element which produces the heat to warm your water. Heater Elements are similar to a light bulb in that after so much use they can burn out. Heater elements can also be the victim of calcium build up and corrosion if the spas chemicals are not kept in check.

Thermostat- Consists of a rotating control for setting desired temperature level, and a capillary tube with bulb attached for remotely picking up the spa water temperature. The sensor bulb is often housed in a thermowell for protection. For proper operation, the thermostat must be located in the spa plumbing between the suction point and the heater, NEVER after the heater.

High-Limit- Is a safety switch which is usually closed until there is a problem with excessive heat. Once the temperature reaches its certain set point, it latches open, breaking the circuit. This prevents the heater from meltdown if there is an equipment failure. It must be manually reset by pressing its button, after the temperature condition has returned to normal. A tripped high limit causes power to be cut before the fuse, immediately shutting down both your pump and heater.

Pressure Switch- This is a safety device that shuts off power to the spa heater circuit if the flow of water is interrupted. It remains closed during normal operation but will pop open if the pump fails, preventing the burn up of the heater if water is not flowing.

Section 3- Extend the Life of your Spa Heater

The number one thing you can do to extend the life of your spa heater is maintain proper chemical levels in your hot tub water, especially PH. Chemical levels that are not balanced will cause scale or calcium build up and corrosion especially on your heater element. Buying an element made of titanium rather than a standard element can also help.

Your spa should also never be set at a temperature higher than 104-degrees Fahrenheit or 40-degrees Celsius. Temperatures higher than this can not only negatively affect your equipment but can be dangerous for the people getting into the hot tub also.

Energy Saving Tips for Winter

Winter usually means increased energy bills our heaters are on around the clock trying to keep our toes toasty through these cold, harsh months. Many residents of the Northeast have invested in effective ways to cut down on energy costs while keeping their homes warm – from insulated attics to double paned windows. However, other items can rack up costs during the winter months, such as a hot tub or spa.

Of course, the best way to save energy and keep costs down with a spa or hot tub would be to shut it off for the winter months, but we all know there’s nothing better than taking a dip in the warm water with a good glass of wine during a cold, clear winter night and studying the starry sky! There are many effective energy saving ideas available for outdoor spas that will allow you to enjoy your hot tub through the winter season!

Check out our winter energy savings tips below!

1. Energy efficient hot tubs: Most newer hot tub models have energy saving devices and features built in – from more effective jet pumps to insulated spa walls, advanced filtration systems, titanium coil heaters, LED lighting and more. There are a wide variety of optional energy efficient features that come with new spas or that can be upgraded for older models. New electric models have been reported to be nearly twice as efficient as the older models.

2. Insulation: Most modern spas have well-insulated shells or bodies, but heat can still escape from the top of the spa. Using a sturdy, fitted, foam spa cover can save time, energy and water in the long run by trapping heat, reducing evaporation and decreasing the amount of time you need to spend cleaning, refilling and adjusting the chemicals in the hot tub.

3. Lowered thermostat: During winter, maintaining you hot tub temperature requires more energy than it does during the summer months. Lowering your thermostat can minimize costly heating.

4. Timing is everything: Hot tub use during the winter is pleasant, but it probably won’t be frequent or constant. Implementing a timer can help reduce costs by only switching on the hot tub and heating it up when you typically use it. For example, if you enjoy a warm soak after a long work day, set your timer to switch on at around 4:30pm giving it plenty of time to heat up. This way the heater is not constantly on.

5. Pump power: The most efficient thing you can do is only run the spa pump as long as you need to. Start by running the pump for eight hours per day. If the pool stays clear, run the pump less often. If it starts to get cloudy, run it a bit more each day until it clears. You may find that different run times are required at different times of the year.

6. Draining: For those who do not plan on using their hot tubs throughout winter draining can save money and hassle although it is time consuming. If draining seems like too much, using a hot tub cover is absolutely crucial to keep the water from freezing.

7. Off Peak Heating: Use your timer to reduce peak loads by programming it to “off” during peak hours. Contact your utility company to find out if they offer off-peak rates (lower charge during off-peak usage hours). A well-insulated tub will maintain much of its warmth and will not require as much time or energy to heat up when you want to use it later.

8. Thermal Blanket: Consider implementing a floating thermal blanket to further insulate the water against the cold of winter – this will lower energy costs and prevent the water from freezing during the coldest days.

Implementing even a few of these ideas can really make a difference when that energy bill arrives so take time to establish which measures will best maximize your savings! Check back soon for more tips and information on hot tub ownership and maintenance!

Ashley Olson, Hot Tub Warehouse. Hot Tub Warehouse is a supplier of quality hot tub parts and accessories, including fitted spa covers and hot tub covers. For a wide selection of hot tub chemicals, testing supplies, filters and more, please visit Hot Tub Warehouse.

Why use a Pre-Fill Filter?

When filling your hot tub with water straight from your garden hose, you can sometimes encounter water problems right from the start. A pre-fill filter is a great way to combat those problems and make sure you are getting a fresh clean fill. It is like filling your spa with bottled water.

Water from your garden hose can contain many contaminants such as chemical contaminants, algae, mold spores, bacteria organic debris, TOC's, VOC's, chlorine by-products, suspended solids that can be removed or reduced by the use of a pre-filter. The Pure Fill Spa Pre-Filter connects right to your garden hose, using a food grade activated carbon it suspends solids and chemical by products and reduces and removes metals from the water. Using a pre-fill filter can save you money on start-up chemicals that are normally needed to cleanse the spa of the contaminants that come from garden hose water.

Complete metal removal is not guaranteed with the use of a pre-filter. If you have a high metal concentration in your water you will want to look at using a metal reducing chemical like Pristine Clean Metal Control or ProTeam Metal Magic along with the pre-filter.

The Pure Fill Spa Pre-Filter is extremely easy to use. The water input receives a male end garden hose connector. You simply connect the filter to your garden hose, flush it for thirty seconds, and then fill your spa. The Pure Fill Spa Pre-Filter is also reusable so you can just simply store it until your next use. It is usable up to 1200 US gallons of water or 4500 liters.

The pre-filter also has many household uses. It works great for camping and RVing, kiddy pools, aquariums, flower and vegetable gardens, pet water, and car washing.