Hot Tub Forum

Original => Hot Tub Forum => Topic started by: bulmer4nc on October 01, 2004, 09:24:27 pm

Title: First Water Change
Post by: bulmer4nc on October 01, 2004, 09:24:27 pm

In process now.  Good GAWD this thing takes forever to drain!!  How many of you have that kit drain the optima?  What is it, and is it worth it?  This thing has been draining for 3 hours!!  

Of course, it may not be helping that we're running the hose 80 feet out the other side of our fence to the rip-rap drainage... ::)

Head rests have been removed and cleaned.  Everything that is out of water has been buffed and is waiting for refill.  Just the foot well area now has water... so hopefully we'll get it filled back up tonight and do all the chem stuff first thing tomorrow.  

Details as they become available!!

jodi

Title: Re: First Water Change
Post by: bulmer4nc on October 01, 2004, 10:30:16 pm

Ok, we to the fill up stage now.  All buffed and sparkly... it looks really good!  

Fresh water tomorrow!!

Title: Re: First Water Change
Post by: Brewman on October 01, 2004, 11:51:05 pm

Try a larger diameter garden hose.  We have a 3/4", which drains out the Optima in about 30 minutes.
Brewman

Title: Re: First Water Change
Post by: tony on October 02, 2004, 07:03:54 am

Get the drain kit.  I think it only costs twenty five or thirty dollars, but it is more than worth it.  It gives you a full two inch diameter drain right out to your drain area.  Cuts the drain time way down.

You could actually make a two inch drain yourself.  All pool stores sell the soft roll up drain hose and threaded fitting.  To go 80 feet, you need to add hose to the SD kit.

Title: Re: First Water Change
Post by: Elle on October 02, 2004, 08:41:53 am

QUESTION:

What type of cleaner do you use to clean the inside of the tub once it is drained?  

Title: Re: First Water Change
Post by: ttodd1 on October 02, 2004, 10:03:24 am

You could also get a submersiable pump.  We pick one up for about 30 bucks.  Will get a chance to see how well/fast it works this weekend.

Title: Re: First Water Change
Post by: PPOL on October 02, 2004, 01:01:35 pm

I find a shop vac always comes in handy as long as you have a hose attachment, otherwise its a lot of dumping.

Good Luck,


Neil O'Donovan
Phoenix Park Outdoor Living
Wilmington, NC

Title: Re: First Water Change
Post by: Brewman on October 02, 2004, 02:24:31 pm

The shop vac is a good suggestion.  There is always a couple gallons in our spa that doesn't get drained.
I just scoop it using the bleach bottle with the bottom cut out trick.  But a pump or shop vac would be more convenient.

For cleaning the inside once drained, we use Baqua surface cleaner.
Brewman

Title: Re: First Water Change
Post by: CalicoskiesNC on October 02, 2004, 09:31:48 pm

We drain overnight.  You can also use two hoses, that might help speed it up.  

Title: Re: First Water Change
Post by: bulmer4nc on October 03, 2004, 08:37:58 am

Sorry for the delay in responding... have been enjoying that "new water" feeling!  You guys are so right that fresh water rocks!  I didn't imagine it being as different as it is!

To clean - we used the Leisure Time Spa Fast Gloss - it seemed to work well, but I think is one of many products available.  

The bigger hoses idea sounds good, as does the shop vac and pump - thanks!

Jodi

Title: Re: First Water Change
Post by: ttodd1 on October 03, 2004, 08:31:11 pm

Got ours done today.  The pump worked OK except that the hubby didn't tighten the hose to it enough and it was taking twice as long as he predicted. Seems it was leaking water back into the tub as fast as it was removing it.  Of course this was not evident til we got down to the end almost.  Men  ::)    Other than that and brief rain storm from Mother nature all went well.  Am about to jump in and feel that fresh water.  

Title: Re: First Water Change
Post by: rocket on October 03, 2004, 08:38:18 pm

I like the submersiable pump.