Hot Tub Forum
Original => Hot Tub Forum => Topic started by: stlhottubber on July 10, 2019, 10:03:57 am
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Anyone have feedback on the new Freshwater salt system? We have a 3 year old Pulse with the ace system, but the freshwater system seems to be much easier than the ace. A family member has been offering to buy our Pulse, so thinking of getting a new Pulse with the freshwater.
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I recently purchased a hot spring grandee with the Freshwater Salt System. So far it’s been great. I used to have a Hot Spring Vista with the Ace system. I like that with the newer freshwater system that you don’t have to mess with descaling the Ace electrode or worry about the high cost of replacing it as it ages. With the new system you just replace the electrode for a new one about once a month. If you have any specific questions just let me know and I’d be happy to try and answer?
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descaling the Ace electrode or worry about the high cost of replacing it as it ages. With the new system you just replace the electrode for a new one about once a month. If you have any specific questions just let me know and I’d be happy to try and answer?
How much does a new electrode cost?
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descaling the Ace electrode or worry about the high cost of replacing it as it ages. With the new system you just replace the electrode for a new one about once a month. If you have any specific questions just let me know and I’d be happy to try and answer?
How much does a new electrode cost?
I have it on my Caldera Geneva as well. Replace the electrode every 3-4 months. They sell in packs of 4 for roughly $250-$300.
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descaling the Ace electrode or worry about the high cost of replacing it as it ages. With the new system you just replace the electrode for a new one about once a month. If you have any specific questions just let me know and I’d be happy to try and answer?
How much does a new electrode cost?
I have it on my Caldera Geneva as well. Replace the electrode every 3-4 months. They sell in packs of 4 for roughly $250-$300.
26 bucks for 5 lbs of dichlor (should last a couple years) and 1.29 for a gallon of bleach per month. Converting salt to chlorine seems expensive.
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Nice thing with that system is if it seems too expensive to some its easily converted back to chlorine. Peronally for me it comes down to convenience. I really don't have to do much other then throw a bit of ph minus in every few weeks.
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Nice thing with that system is if it seems too expensive to some its easily converted back to chlorine. Peronally for me it comes down to convenience. I really don't have to do much other then throw a bit of ph minus in every few weeks.
For me I don't need a car with all the fancy bells/whistles or a spa that takes care of itself but you have to give people what they want and we all know a large % of customers want things to work automatically whether its a pool, spa, car, vacuum... Oh well at least the spa salt/chlorine generator cost is coming down. When my wife routinely asks why I still water my rather large garden by hand rather than set up an auto-system I just roll my eyes a bit and tell her I'm fine with doing it manually and it helps me be sure everything is in order.
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All personal preference. I'm still on ACE... for now. Works great, automatic, costly.
Freshwater Salt works pretty much like ACE, but a lot less expensive. It's actually less expensive than Frog @Ease... think about it.
The Cartridge shouldn't be changed every month though... if you are doing that you will spend big bucks. 4 months is what Watkins recommends.
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Nice thing with that system is if it seems too expensive to some its easily converted back to chlorine. Peronally for me it comes down to convenience. I really don't have to do much other then throw a bit of ph minus in every few weeks.
For me I don't need a car with all the fancy bells/whistles or a spa that takes care of itself but you have to give people what they want and we all know a large % of customers want things to work automatically whether its a pool, spa, car, vacuum... Oh well at least the spa salt/chlorine generator cost is coming down. When my wife routinely asks why I still water my rather large garden by hand rather than set up an auto-system I just roll my eyes a bit and tell her I'm fine with doing it manually and it helps me be sure everything is in order.
For me I work 80-90 hours every week. When I want to use my pool or hot Tub I want it to be ready. That's why my pool is all automated and why I went with a salt tub. I loved my Marquis Resort but have noticed the water is a lot easier to maintain on my Caldera with the salt system.
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The after market external salt to chlorine gen. units are cheap to install, all you need is a 120v GFCI to plug into and can be bought for under 250 bucks. There are a few brands on the market. The replacement anode are about 100. If you soak them in vinegar once a month over night they last for years. Most of these units will work up to 1000-2000 gallons of water if needed, timer set to shorter time cycles for less water. The only thing they involve is when you open the cover you take the anode out and put it in a holder you attach to the side of the tub and you have to remember to put it back in the tub before you cover it.
Any tub can be converted to salt.
I haven’t switched mine to a salt gen because Dichlor/liquid bleach is too simple, cheap and quick as well. The only drawback is if you go away for more than a week you need a backup plan to keep the tub sanitized. I have been opting to put a @ease cartridge in when I go away maybe once a year for a two-week vacation.
On the other hand I like the feel of the salt in the water and I do add 7 pounds of pool salt to each water change in my Caldera Geneva. Even though I’m not using it for making chlorine.
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On the other hand I like the feel of the salt in the water and I do add 7 pounds of pool salt to each water change in my Caldera Geneva. Even though I’m not using it for making chlorine.
Are you still having good luck with this? No issues to report? The water definitely feels softer? What is the ratio of salt to gallons?
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On the other hand I like the feel of the salt in the water and I do add 7 pounds of pool salt to each water change in my Caldera Geneva. Even though I’m not using it for making chlorine.
Are you still having good luck with this? No issues to report? The water definitely feels softer? What is the ratio of salt to gallons?
Yep on my third fill with salt and no issues.
I use the same salt to water ratio as if I had a salt system. They say it is less than a human tear in terms of salt.
I do feel the water is different and like the feel and it also seems to make the tub more stable chemical wise. I don’t have any scientific proof of that though but it seems that way.
I like it and it’s no different than if I converted the tub to salt system so I’m not too worried. Salt doesn’t cost hardly anything. So I’m going to keep on doing it.
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descaling the Ace electrode or worry about the high cost of replacing it as it ages. With the new system you just replace the electrode for a new one about once a month. If you have any specific questions just let me know and I’d be happy to try and answer?
How much does a new electrode cost?
I have it on my Caldera Geneva as well. Replace the electrode every 3-4 months. They sell in packs of 4 for roughly $250-$300.
26 bucks for 5 lbs of dichlor (should last a couple years) and 1.29 for a gallon of bleach per month. Converting salt to chlorine seems expensive.
It's not for every customer, its convenient, the guy rolling up to my store in an $80,000 Mercedes isn't worried about an extra $300 a year, his time is worth more money than that....some people pay more for ease and convenience
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descaling the Ace electrode or worry about the high cost of replacing it as it ages. With the new system you just replace the electrode for a new one about once a month. If you have any specific questions just let me know and I’d be happy to try and answer?
How much does a new electrode cost?
I have it on my Caldera Geneva as well. Replace the electrode every 3-4 months. They sell in packs of 4 for roughly $250-$300.
26 bucks for 5 lbs of dichlor (should last a couple years) and 1.29 for a gallon of bleach per month. Converting salt to chlorine seems expensive.
It's not for every customer, its convenient, the guy rolling up to my store in an $80,000 Mercedes isn't worried about an extra $300 a year, his time is worth more money than that....some people pay more for ease and convenience
Exactly my point. It’s not for everybody. Since this system came out 90% of tubs with that option have bought it from me
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If pouring a cup of bleach in your tub after your soak is a big deal. You need more exercise. They say the water can be softer, that's something.
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If pouring a cup of bleach in your tub after your soak is a big deal. You need more exercise. They say the water can be softer, that's something.
In the meantime people buy Tide Pods at a 50% cost increase (not me of course) so can avoid the laborious chore of measuring & pouring liquid/powder laundry detergent.
On Shark Tank they always ask "what problem is this solving" but just as often new ideas/products come out to make something more convenient even if the old way seems to work fine without too much effort.
Its the way of the world and I don't see it changing much short of a zombie apocalypse!
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I have had my Hotsprings Aria with freshwater salt for 3 weeks now and absolutely love it. My water is crystal clear and feels wonderful. I’ve had hot tubs before and would always have to shower after using it so using it before bed was a chore. I’ve used this every night since I’ve had it and can go straight to bed without showering it’s a lifesaver for me. One night I was a little itchy and checked my chemicals my PH was a little high so I check my chemicals everyday to keep that PH perfect. I have used a tiny bit of chlorine a few times and shock it once or twice a week with non chlorine shock. We are heavy users. I have a coolzone and love to relax in it on these hot AZ nights. All hot tubs have a cost of maintenance and I don’t think this one is bad at all.
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Bud - Love the idea of managing the hot tub using bleach/dichlor and just adding salt with each refill. Your post from gave me the inspiration to buy some salt and give it a try. It will arrive later this week.
Is there anything I need to take into consideration? Here's my plan.. I'd love to get your thoughts:
- refill and balance water, use dichlor first ~2 weeks.
- lower alkalinity to ~60, increase calcium to ~250, and switch to bleach (my standard procedure)
- add whatever amount of salt to achieve 2500-3000 ppm in my 410 gallon tub.
sounds right?
can i add the salt right away, before i build up the CYA levels?
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Bud - Love the idea of managing the hot tub using bleach/dichlor and just adding salt with each refill. Your post from gave me the inspiration to buy some salt and give it a try. It will arrive later this week.
Is there anything I need to take into consideration? Here's my plan.. I'd love to get your thoughts:
- refill and balance water, use dichlor first ~2 weeks.
- lower alkalinity to ~60, increase calcium to ~250, and switch to bleach (my standard procedure)
- add whatever amount of salt to achieve 2500-3000 ppm in my 410 gallon tub.
sounds right?
can i add the salt right away, before i build up the CYA levels?
I add my salt right away into the cold water when I fill. We have similar size tubs and I use 7 pounds. I start with the dichlor
and watch the CYA number stopping when it hits around 50PPM and switching back if it drops to 30PPM. About 1 tablespoon per day
is what i use and when I switch to bleach i do 1/3 cup per day.
It is fairly simple and cheap to do.
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Thanks for this, Bud. I tried this and love the results!!
I'm up around 3,000 PPM, which I understand is on the high side. I'm planning to replace some water from splash out, and I understand adding bleach does increase salt a little, so I'm guessing the actual PPM will fluctuate a little, and thats probably OK?