Hot Tub Forum

Original => Hot Tub Forum => Topic started by: Warkovision on August 31, 2004, 12:51:48 pm

Title: My Vista is Here!
Post by: Warkovision on August 31, 2004, 12:51:48 pm
I'm filling up right now awaiting the electrician's arrival. The installers gave me several bottles of Rendevous Brand chemicals. Was told to put in 3 teaspoons of chlorine and 4 ounces of this stuff called Protect Plus on the initial fill. Does this sound right? I'm so excited! ;D
Title: Re: My Vista is Here!
Post by: windsurfdog on August 31, 2004, 01:31:47 pm
Way to go, Warkie!
If you don't have a test kit (IMO, Taylor is best), get one and test your water before you put any chems in.  I would suggest only adding the chems you need to get the pH, TA, CH in line unless your water is untreated from a well in which case you might want to use some Metal Gon or other type of agent to deal with the added elements found there.  If it's a municipal water supply, just get the three I mentioned in line after which you'll add your sanitizer of choice, dichlor being mine.
Good luck and congrats!
8)
Title: Re: My Vista is Here!
Post by: Warkovision on August 31, 2004, 01:43:33 pm
Forgot to mention I had the Everfresh system installed. I'll test before I add anything.
Title: Re: My Vista is Here!
Post by: Sol_Dahbrishinsky on August 31, 2004, 01:48:22 pm
Wark:

I went to HS yesterday to visit (before wet testing)

Why did you choose HS (the moto???)

I liked the layout before WT

What color did you get?

sol
Title: Re: My Vista is Here!
Post by: Warkovision on August 31, 2004, 02:10:07 pm
Wow, Just tested for TA with strips and Taylor test kit showed 120.
Surprised to see how close the two tests were. On the other hand, pH on the strips showed 8.0, and with the Taylor kit...7.2 :o This poses an interesting question. I'm at the very high end for TA and at the very low end for pH (if I'm to trust  the Taylor results over the strips.) How does one lower TA and raise pH? O r do I just do nothing? I seem to remember a while ago someone saying something about using soda ash instead of baking soda to adjust one without effecting the other, but that must have been over a week ago and I'm 52. ;D
Title: Re: My Vista is Here!
Post by: doodoo on August 31, 2004, 02:16:59 pm
Congratulations. Another soaker!.
Title: Re: My Vista is Here!
Post by: tonyp on August 31, 2004, 02:22:54 pm
Enjoy!  My HS Envoy comes tomorrow AM!  Hopefully I'll get the electrical connected for a Friday inspection and will be soaking by Labor Day.
Title: Re: My Vista is Here!
Post by: wmccall on August 31, 2004, 02:48:09 pm
Quote
Wow, Just tested for TA 120.
 pH 7.2

This poses an interesting question. I'm at the very high end for TA and at the very low end for pH



I believe this is a common newbie mistake. You mention that you are are at the very end of the ranges for PH and alkalinity. My advice, quit while your ahead. You have both in range.  Now look at what those reading do in the long run after use and adding sanitizers.  I like to take a minimalist approach to adding chemicals and get things in range and don't try for perfection.
Title: Re: My Vista is Here!
Post by: Warkovision on August 31, 2004, 03:00:06 pm
Quote


I believe this is a common newbie mistake. You mention that you are are at the very end of the ranges for PH and alkalinity. My advice, quit while your ahead. You have both in range.  Now look at what those reading do in the long run after use and adding sanitizers.  I like to take a minimalist approach to adding chemicals and get things in range and don't try for perfection.


Sounds good to me. I like easy. Probably another hour and the electricians will be finished. I'll try to get some pix up.

Sol, we wet tested 5 different manufacturers tubs and liked the Hotspring the best. I like the Moto jets myself. My wife can take 'em or leave 'em. She really wanted the lounger and I didn't. The Envoy just didn't seem quite big enough and that's how we arrived at the Vista. We ended up with the synthetic redwood exterior with the white pearl interior.
Title: Re: My Vista is Here!
Post by: newtotubbing on August 31, 2004, 03:35:33 pm
Congrat Warko on the new Vista.

I am waiting for the exact same setup to show at my dealer any week now.  

Good luck with the chems and keep up posted on your progress.

Jonathan
Title: Re: My Vista is Here!
Post by: Sol_Dahbrishinsky on August 31, 2004, 03:41:06 pm
Wark:

How do you like that corner seat (across from the lounge with the arms.)  That looks intriguing to me.  I want to test if there enough varying seat levels.  Will wettest soon!!!!  :o

Sol
Title: Re: My Vista is Here!
Post by: Spatech_tuo on August 31, 2004, 05:03:40 pm
Congrats. Another wet test veteran has reached the promise land.
Title: Re: My Vista is Here!
Post by: Chas on August 31, 2004, 06:38:42 pm
Congratulations!
Soak long and prosper.

May your jets always jet,
and your thersmostat stay set.
May the joy of soaking
Which is fun - no joking,
Fill each night with relaxation, peace and bliss,
And may your kids always find another place to  - um - hang out.


:D ;D :D ;D :D ;D ;)
Title: Re: My Vista is Here!
Post by: Warkovision on August 31, 2004, 07:17:51 pm
Thanks everybody! Here's a link to some pix. I hope it works. Still have a bunch of beautification to do with the surroundings, but that's wifey's department ;D Still a few more hours till critical mass.

http://f2.pg.briefcase.yahoo.com/bc/mzimo@pacbell.net/lst?.dir=/Hot+Tub
Title: Re: My Vista is Here!
Post by: UnderTheStars on August 31, 2004, 08:39:51 pm
Whooo-hooo!  Congratulations on your new toy!  Just climbed out of my HS Vanguard (pearl/grey,) came inside and checked out your pics.   Very nice set-up.  We'll be over this weekend for the cookout!
Stars
Title: Re: My Vista is Here!
Post by: Warkovision on August 31, 2004, 11:26:51 pm
Had our first soak tonight. What fun! It's going to take us a while to figure out the multitude of adjustments possible to get it dialed in just right. Had just a little bit of brown scummy froth. Filter seemed to deal with it OK. I'm following the Hotspring Silver Ion Sanitation Schedule. I put in two tablespoons of MPS before we got in. After we were done, I ran the jets a little bit more. This thing is way great! ;D
Title: Re: My Vista is Here!
Post by: Sol_Dahbrishinsky on September 01, 2004, 12:23:34 am
Warkster:

Where is the subpanel--------->>>  nice tub!!!!

pool->tub->pool->tub...............
Title: Re: My Vista is Here!
Post by: Warkovision on September 01, 2004, 12:51:40 am
Quote
Warkster:

Where is the subpanel-.


Subpanel is on the side directly across and a bit to the left from the main panel. It's a bit unfortunate for those of us that don't get the stereo option, that the mode button that changes the light + or - to volume + or - , can't be reprogrammed to a jet button. The way it's set up is that there is only one jet button on the sub with the sequence:  1) Pump #2 on low, 2) Pump #2 on high, 3) JPumps 1&2 on high, 4) JPumps 1 on high Pump 2 on low, 5) Pump 1 only, 6) All off.
It would be nice to use the mode button to say turn pump 1 on and off and use the jets button to control Pump 2 low-high-off.

Boy, I've only had my spa now for less than a day and I'm already nitpicking! Sheesh! I sentence myself to another soak.  ;D
Title: Re: My Vista is Here!
Post by: Spatech_tuo on September 01, 2004, 02:47:27 am
Congrats!!! Make sure you suplliment with dichlor, MPS alone per use isn't enough. You need a chlorine residual as well.
Title: Re: My Vista is Here!
Post by: Lori on September 01, 2004, 07:00:02 am
Congratulations!!!

May you always have hot, bubbly water!!!

Looks great!
Title: Re: My Vista is Here!
Post by: corvairkid on September 01, 2004, 10:26:05 am
Hey there! Tub looks nice.  We are also looking at a HS Vista or a Caldera Niagara Utopia.  Just curious what kind of a deal you got?  We get our concrete poured in about three weeks.  Can't wait much longer.  Thanks for the help.  I'm sure you will have many long soaks ahead of you.

Title: Re: My Vista is Here!
Post by: Warkovision on September 01, 2004, 10:46:03 am
Quote
Warkster:

Where is the subpanel--------->>>  nice tub!!!!

pool->tub->pool->tub...............



It suddenly dawned on me that you may have meant the power subpanel with the GFI breakers in it, and not the auxilliary control panel. It's about 25 feet away attached to the wall of another building. The electrician suggested putting it on that cinder block wall ( if you look at the photos) no closer than 5 feet from the tub. Being here in earthquake country it concerned me to have anything electrical fastened to it. It was built a long time ago before we owned the house and it's not really reinforced that well. So we decided to run the rigid conduit along the ground  next to it(raised on unistrut.)
Title: Re: My Vista is Here!
Post by: Sol_Dahbrishinsky on September 01, 2004, 10:57:08 am
 ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Southern or northern CA
Title: Re: My Vista is Here!
Post by: Warkovision on September 01, 2004, 11:18:29 am
Quote
Congrats!!! Make sure you suplliment with dichlor, MPS alone per use isn't enough. You need a chlorine residual as well.


Thanks Spatech. I was wondering about that. The sheet that came with the Everfresh system really says nothing about adding dichlor except when you first fill the tub and change the water (3tsp.)  It just says add 2 tablespoons of MPS before use and to shock with 3 tablespoons MPS once a week. Most people here think that's not a good idea. I think this tub will see a lot of use and don't want to screw up the chemistry. I was reading an about an interesting formula for changing the water in the Taylor book. Days=1/3 the volume divided by  the maximum number of daily bathers. Anybody use this? Based on 3 people using the tub everyday, I'd have to change the water out every two months or so.
Title: Re: My Vista is Here!
Post by: Warkovision on September 01, 2004, 11:22:09 am
Quote
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Southern or northern CA


Southern, San Fernando Valley.
Title: Re: My Vista is Here!
Post by: Warkovision on September 01, 2004, 11:35:19 am
Quote
Hey there! Tub looks nice.  We are also looking at a HS Vista or a Caldera Niagara Utopia.  Just curious what kind of a deal you got?  We get our concrete poured in about three weeks.  Can't wait much longer.  Thanks for the help.  I'm sure you will have many long soaks ahead of you.



I'm not much at haggling. We got the tub, what was described as an "upgraded deluxe cover" small wood steps, Covermate III, Delivery/Install, pearl finish and everfresh system for $9150 plus tax. This is most likely on the high end of what's possible. We really put these guys through their paces as we must have been in there 4 or 5 times wet testing and they were always cheerful and helpful. Based on a couple of friend's experience with this dealer, I didn't have too many concerns about throwing some extra $$$ their way in anticipation of some really great after purchase service which hopefully I won't need because I purchased such a quality item.  :-/

We also considered the Geneva Utopia for which they were asking $8500 before any other considerations or dickering.

Good luck with your concrete. Waiting is such a drag. Like Under the Stars wrote, I severely wore out my catalog/brochure dreaming in anticipation. :)
Title: Re: My Vista is Here!
Post by: Brewman on September 01, 2004, 11:38:48 am
It will only take a few seconds into your first soak to entirely forget about what price you paid for your spa.
A year from now you won't even remember the number.
Brewman
Title: Re: My Vista is Here!
Post by: corvairkid on September 01, 2004, 12:43:00 pm
Thanks for the information.  Waiting on the concrete is tough.  Will make it all the more sweeter when we get it.  Take care & have fun.....
Title: Re: My Vista is Here!
Post by: cparlf on September 01, 2004, 01:57:59 pm
Congrats Warko Meister.  Looks like a beautiful set up on the way.  Re the chem, less is best.  It is easy to overmanage.  The baking soda (arm & Hammer) will increase TA and not hit your PH.  The dealer told me to use it instead of the bottled stuff he sells.  Our tub is just under 500 gallons, and 3 shot glasses of A&H brought the TA from below 4 to perfect mid range and did not move PH.  Take a few days to settle out, or you will be standing there with a PH Up in one hand and  a PH Down in the other.  And as usual Brewman is right.  Our tub was installed and running two weeks ago, and I don't recall how much it cost.  Seems quite irrelevant now.  Enjoy and again, congrats.
Title: Re: My Vista is Here!
Post by: rocket on September 01, 2004, 09:23:39 pm
I want to know where the dealer or salesperson is?

One should be there to ensure that you are cared for.

Let me suggest that you call them and get them out there to help you in the initial start up and to get you out on the right foot.

This will protect you and your investment for years to come.

Too many dealers are cutting corners and ignoring the customer during start up.

Title: Re: My Vista is Here!
Post by: Chas on September 01, 2004, 09:38:55 pm
Quote
It's a bit unfortunate for those of us that don't get the stereo option, that the mode button that changes the light + or - to volume + or - , can't be reprogrammed to a jet button. The way it's set up is that there is only one jet button on the sub with the sequence:  1) Pump #2 on low, 2) Pump #2 on high, 3) JPumps 1&2 on high, 4) JPumps 1 on high Pump 2 on low, 5) Pump 1 only, 6) All off.
 It would be nice to use the mode button to say turn pump 1 on and off and use the jets button to control Pump 2 low-high-off.

Boy, I've only had my spa now for less than a day and I'm already nitpicking! Sheesh! I sentence myself to another soak.  ;D

Buy the remote control. Then you can turn the jets on and off independantly, and even switch from low to high speed on the one pump.

Plus you'll get better control over the color-change feature -
and -

It's really cool.

By the way - can we all agree that it's "TEASP00N" and not "teaspoon?"
Title: Re: My Vista is Here!
Post by: Brewman on September 01, 2004, 10:39:40 pm
I'll agree to that if you tell me how you got that word to appear in tact.  Whenever I try to type it using the correct spelling, in quotes, all caps in quotes, etc., the word comes changed in the post.
Brewman
Title: Re: My Vista is Here!
Post by: windsurfdog on September 02, 2004, 12:38:28 am
Quote
"TEASP00N"

Best use of double zero I've seen in a while!
8)
Title: Re: My Vista is Here!
Post by: Warkovision on September 02, 2004, 01:58:34 am
Quote
I'll agree to that if you tell me how you got that word to appear in tact.  Whenever I try to type it using the correct spelling, in quotes, all caps in quotes, etc., the word comes changed in the post.
Brewman


Agreed, I have never used the "thingy" term when typing. It gets automatically changed somehow.  Have to use abbreviation or double zeros.
Title: Re: My Vista is Here!
Post by: Brewman on September 02, 2004, 08:49:22 am
Double zero's, very clever.  

TEASP00N
teasp00n

Guess is works best when you type in all caps.
But much less irritating than the thingy thing.  


Brewman