Hot Tub Forum

Original => Hot Tub Forum => Topic started by: ratking20 on March 23, 2020, 01:33:43 pm

Title: what options are worth it?
Post by: ratking20 on March 23, 2020, 01:33:43 pm
looking at my first hot tub.....
looking mainly at artesian at the moment
but wanted to ask about the options/add ons

which are a must have.  which are a waste of money

stereo? i can always get a speaker or have something else on my deck
lights? i like the lights. what are your thoughts?
waterfall?  is it really that cool?
clorine vs ????  whats the best option here
foot blasters? i think im gonna get these!
jet options?  any input here
lounge chair? do you ever use it?
anything else i am missing

thanks for the help!
Title: Re: what options are worth it?
Post by: bud16415 on March 23, 2020, 02:58:19 pm
Everything is a personal choice. That being said IMO sound systems are a waste of money. You need some lights in the old days there was one light and it did the job, now they are LEDs and change colors and they are fun at first. Ours stays on default blue 99% of the time. Jet count doesn’t mean anything and one big jet does more than 20 of those needle jets you will know what you like when you wet test. We have two neck jets that are above the water line and I thought I would love them, but they are a joke and don’t do much. On the other hand I didn’t think much about wrist jets and I love them. Recliner seats with leg and feet jets are nice. I never get to use mine unless I go in alone though. Some people don’t care for them you will know when you wet test.

For me the stuff you don’t see is what is important good pumps and being able to heat and pump same time. good insulation, good cover, good construction. Large filter with circulation pump etc.

It is pretty easy to use bleach and dichlor on a daily base and then toss in some shock as needed and of course manually adjust Phand such. Salt systems to make chlorine are fine but require some expensive repairs on a regular base. There are cheap after market salt gens that work well and it is all DIY if you want to look into that. Saltron – Mini will get you started searching. 
Title: Re: what options are worth it?
Post by: Hottubguy on March 23, 2020, 03:04:46 pm
Everything is a personal choice. That being said IMO sound systems are a waste of money. You need some lights in the old days there was one light and it did the job, now they are LEDs and change colors and they are fun at first. Ours stays on default blue 99% of the time. Jet count doesn’t mean anything and one big jet does more than 20 of those needle jets you will know what you like when you wet test. We have two neck jets that are above the water line and I thought I would love them, but they are a joke and don’t do much. On the other hand I didn’t think much about wrist jets and I love them. Recliner seats with leg and feet jets are nice. I never get to use mine unless I go in alone though. Some people don’t care for them you will know when you wet test.

For me the stuff you don’t see is what is important good pumps and being able to heat and pump same time. good insulation, good cover, good construction. Large filter with circulation pump etc.

It is pretty easy to use bleach and dichlor on a daily base and then toss in some shock as needed and of course manually adjust Phand such. Salt systems to make chlorine are fine but require some expensive repairs on a regular base. There are cheap after market salt gens that work well and it is all DIY if you want to look into that. Saltron – Mini will get you started searching.

Fun lights are a must have if you have kids!
Title: Re: what options are worth it?
Post by: ratchett on March 23, 2020, 04:54:19 pm
Most people say stereo's aren't worth the price and I think I'd agree - although I'm happy I have bluetooth speakers on my system - I really enjoy having that system going while having audio controls built into the interface (no need to get phone wet changing songs).    But unless you're getting a deal, they're likely not worth the money.

I like ozonators but you need a circulation pump to make them work effectively.  And that means you have two more accessories which will fail over time and need replacement.  I think the benefits of a circ pump and an ozonator outweigh the costs of replacing them every few years (but that's just my opinion i am by no means an expert lol).   My tub is compatible with the new freshwater salt system but I still opted for the ozonator and silver ion cartridge for my tub with dichlor chlorine pellets.

I spent a lot of time researching loungers and opinions about them.  In general this varies greatly from person to person.  Some people love loungers others loathe them and find them wasted space in the tub.   Not all loungers from every brand fit the same so it's very important to wet-test a lounger from the brand you're buying to ensure that not only are you comfortable, but also that you do not float out of it when the jets are running! (true there is a "pillow" you can buy to boost your butt off the seat to make the lounger more comfortable but not everyone wants or likes those).  I have heard people say if you cannot wet-test a lounger from the brand, don't buy a spa with a lounger because you might float out, but I *REALLY* wanted a lounger so I made certain to wet-test a similar spa with the same shape lounger to confirm I fit comfortably.

I've heard the usual spiel about "80% of second-time buyers don't buy a lounger in their next spa" but I have never seen an actual source for that claim.  Personally my wife and I love the lounger and constantly fight over it  (although it does have the motomassager jets as well so it is the best "seat" in the spa lol).
Title: Re: what options are worth it?
Post by: Hottubguy on March 23, 2020, 05:09:19 pm
Most people say stereo's aren't worth the price and I think I'd agree - although I'm happy I have bluetooth speakers on my system - I really enjoy having that system going while having audio controls built into the interface (no need to get phone wet changing songs).    But unless you're getting a deal, they're likely not worth the money.

I like ozonators but you need a circulation pump to make them work effectively.  And that means you have two more accessories which will fail over time and need replacement.  I think the benefits of a circ pump and an ozonator outweigh the costs of replacing them every few years.   My tub is compatible with the new freshwater salt system but I still opted for the ozonator and silver ion cartridge for my tub with dichlor chlorine pellets.

I spent a lot of time researching loungers and opinions about them.  In general this varies greatly from person to person.  Some people love loungers others loathe them and find them wasted space in the tub.   Not all loungers from every brand fit the same so it's very important to wet-test a lounger from the brand you're buying to ensure that not only are you comfortable, but also that you do not float out of it when the jets are running! (true there is a "pillow" you can buy to boost your butt off the seat to make the lounger more comfortable but not everyone wants or likes those).  I have heard people say if you cannot wet-test a lounger from the brand, don't buy a spa with a lounger because you might float out, but I *REALLY* wanted a lounger so I made certain to wet-test a similar spa with the same shape lounger to confirm I fit comfortably.

I've heard the usual spiel about "80% of second-time buyers don't buy a lounger in their next spa" but I have never seen an actual source for that claim.  Personally my wife and I love the lounger and constantly fight over it  (although it does have the motomassager jets as well so it is the best "seat" in the spa lol).

Agree on the lounge part. Find one that fits you is my only caveat. I’ve had 6 hot tubs. All with a lounge
Title: Re: what options are worth it?
Post by: ratking20 on March 23, 2020, 06:59:27 pm
thanks

looks like a no for stereo and lounger(still a maybe tho)

yes for lights, footblasters,

ill look into the waterfall, jets, and filtration options

i plan on looking at artesian island and island elites.  and also bullfrog..  what bullfrog line is comparable to these artesians???
Title: Re: what options are worth it?
Post by: Hottubguy on March 23, 2020, 09:39:19 pm
The elite is pretty high end Artesian I believe. I would look at R series and A series Bullfrog’s
Title: Re: what options are worth it?
Post by: swilly1000 on March 25, 2020, 06:28:04 am
When I was bargaining my purchase, rather than haggle on price, I asked (and got) for the wireless internet module, abs pan bottom and a cover lifter to be thrown in for no extra charge. I don't use the wireless module as much as I thought I would, but I'm glad I can monitor the temp from anywhere in case it fails when I'm away.

Like many here, I would completely pass on the sound package.  Another thing that could break but moreover, the quality isn't good.  I bring my mini Bose speaker out when I want sound.