Hot Tub Forum
Original => Hot Tub Forum => Topic started by: Rayman on May 24, 2005, 10:53:00 am
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I just purchased a Beachcomber 750 floor model. I assumed the Hush Pump came with it as all the BC tubs I was inquiring about had it, I just called and was informed that the tub I purchased did not have the Hush Pump. The question I have is should I be concerned and how beneficial is the Hush pump really?
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The 2 choices are running a smaller 1/16 HP pump 24 hours per day (Hush pump) or a larger 2 speed pump on filtration cycles. The cost is similar so I wouldn't worry too much about it. I thought they sold all the tubs now with the hush?
Steve
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They do sell all there tubs now with the LE version with the Hush pump but I got dazzled by the price of the floor model which came with every feature of the LE version except the Hushpump for $3000 less. I assumed it had the pump until I was looking over my bill of sale today and called them. I haven't taken delivery so I thought I would post the question. How load is the circ pump I wonder? Thanks for the initial reply by the way.
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Being that the Hush pump is a $300 upgrade, saving $3000 is what I would consider "good value"! ;D
I don't understand your question, "How load is the circ pump I wonder?" ???
The 750 is an awesome spa and I'm sure Hush pump or not, that you will love it! 8)
Steve
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How loud is what I meant, should have used spell check. I went to the store and it is much louder than the Hush but......$3000
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A jet pump running on low speed will be slightly louder but remember that it's only running 2 hours in the moring and 2 at night. For 20 hours per day, it's making no noise at all! Plus, you can program when you want it to run those cycles (ie. while at work and the middle of the night).
Steve
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I was told by Beachcomber rep that it should run 12 hours per day, 6 on 6 off. What are your thoughts on that??
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I was told by Beachcomber rep that it should run 12 hours per day, 6 on 6 off. What are your thoughts on that??
12 hours a day is a little much. Almost all of my customers filter their tubs between 4 - 8 hours a day without any issues. Very few surpass the 8 hour mark.
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That seems exessive to me.
When I had mine, there were 4 of us using 4-5 times per week and I had it set for 2 - 2 hour cycles. The water remained in great condition and my cost of operation was less than $1.00 per day.
The only situation where I would increase those times would be for very high usage with large numbers of bathers in a very large spa or if you are trying to clear a cloudy water condition.
Steve
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You will have to excuse my ignorance for this question then. If you use the tub more why would it need to be filtered more? I thought while you were in the tub with both pumps on high this will pass more water through the filter thus removing unwanted particles. Also you have to program the filtration so you must be saying I have to reprogram after every use? Sorry if these are stupid questions, I am almost embarrassed to go back to the dealer after purchasing the tub to ask them.
Ray
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I'm a strong believer in the only stupid question, is the one not asked!
What we're trying to do with filtration Ray is making sure that it meets the demand of use. The more use a spa gets on average, the more contaminants enter the spa. Spas filter far better on low speed in most cases as this is when it is skimming. On high speed on a Beachcomber spa, there is a bypass that opens to allow water to move past the filter without being filtered due to the added volume of water entering the filter compartment. This is fairly common with most lilypad floating skimmers like what you’ll see on a Beachcomber.
On low speed, all the water is being filtered and more importantly, skimmed from the surface. Most contaminants that are introduced into a spa are oils, perspiration, leaves and others debris that tend to float on the surface of the water. This is why skimming is critical to good filtration as it will remove this over a period of time. The more contaminants, the greater the filtration required.
What you’ll do Ray is program your spa for the average use. Meaning; set it for 2 – 2 hour cycles and if it’s determined that your water quality is not what it should be with proper balance, and it is being heavily used, then increasing the amount of filtration will help the situation.
I hope this helps and never feel that you’re asking a stupid question! I’ll tell you if you are though! ;)
Steve
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Thanks Steve, the electrician is coming tomorrow and the tub next Thursday I will let all know how it went.
Ray
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No problem.
Is your electrician coming back to wire it to the spa after delivery or is he coming just to inspect your panel?
Steve
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The electrician is wiring from the panel to the GFI and trenching to the tub leaving 8 feet or so exposed waiting for the BC tech to wire it up, why how should it be done?
Ray
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Let me pose it this way...
So your electrician wires it incorrectly (I've seen master electricians do it a number of times..) and your BC tech finishes it up by connecting it to your spa even though he's not a certified electrician. The tub is filled and the power is connected but it blows the mother board in the spa. Who's at fault? ???
My recommendation is have the spa delivered and set up the electrician for the same day. It'll take 2-3 hours for the electrician in most cases and the tub is in place and filling. By the time your electrician is done, he can connect the wires to the spa and power it up.
It's not a difficult thing to wire it to the spa, but it comes down to liability if there's a problem. It's not a common occurrence but guaranteed that one will blame the other and you need to cover your a$$!
Steve
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That's a good point (one I never thought of when installing mine) but I've got to say, my wiring set up sounds almost exactly like Ray's and the electrician was there for most of the day. Thank goodness I knew the guy and got (I think) a pretty good price ($900.00 Canadian including GFI,wire, conduit etc).
By the way I got a Beachcomber 730 about a month ago and just love it. The honeymoon ain't over yet - we're in nearly every night! You can't beat it after 18 holes of golf or a workout. Hope you enjoy yours just as much, Ray.
Quick question though for Steve. My neighbour got an obus-spa a week ago and said the dealer told him that with a new spa you should change the water after the first month. Any thoughts?
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Quick question though for Steve. My neighbour got an obus-spa a week ago and said the dealer told him that with a new spa you should change the water after the first month. Any thoughts?
Many of us who have been around for a while and have witnessed many a water test, often see that most "newbies" don't really have the watercare concept down for the first month and things tend to go a bit sideways!
I'm not a believer that you need to drain after the first month but I do highly recommend to take a water sample into the dealer around the period of one month for a complete analysis. Most issues with watercare can be corrected and draining isn't always needed. Your dealer can give recommendations and if it's bad enough, draining might be easier (and less expensive) than playing around and attempting to get that water in line again.
It's not something I promote myself unless it's neccessary. There's a cost associated with the new water, heating it and the chemicals used on a start-up and the majority of the time we can get them on track without that cost.
Steve
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Thanks Steve. My dealers' been a peach and has encouraged me to take her in a sample at least once a week for the first few months. At first my water was just a little cloudy, but I put a puck dispenser in a few weeks ago and the water has been crystal clear ever since. Other than that no problems. ..well, almost.
I had my first big BBQ last weekend and I can't believe how much foam I've got now. I put in some spa perfect yesterday, but I think I'm going to take a sample in tomorrow.
The thing is, I can test for chlorine, PH and carefree, but in addition to Carefree, Boost, PH plus and PH minus, I've got bottles of Soft, Resist, Protect and Eliminate...not to mention bottles of stuff to soak my filters in (thank goodness the dealer included it all in the price). Seems like a lot of chemicals....
What I want to know is how am I ever supposed to learn to know when I need to add this stuff? What exactly constitutes "micromanaging your water" and is getting your water tested once a month enough. I don't want to shorten the life of my tub through neglect nor do I want my young daughter climbing into unsafe water, but I don't want to drive my dealer nuts either by going in all the time. She's been great at giving me info, but her bottom line is.."if you're not sure, just bring in a sample." My problem is, I'm never really sure about anything outside of adding Boost.
I expect I'm probably overthinking this a little bit, but like most newbies, I'm trying to get handle on it all - and there's a little more to it than I expected.
Just for curiosity's sake, when does a newbie stop being a newbie?
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Thanks Steve. My dealers' been a peach and has encouraged me to take her in a sample at least once a week for the first few months. At first my water was just a little cloudy, but I put a puck dispenser in a few weeks ago and the water has been crystal clear ever since. Other than that no problems. ..well, almost.
A couple things. Cloudy water in most cases is due to not meeting your chlorine needs. You are on Carefree but the Carefree boost is basically chlorine. This system isn't really designed for use of pucks but you can if you want to. I don't suggest putting them in the skimmer basket though. Pucks have a low pH and the water that is continually going down to the pump and heater will have a very acidic reading and you will go through heater elements and pump seals much quicker this way.
Get a floating dispenser if you want to continue with chlorine pucks.
I had my first big BBQ last weekend and I can't believe how much foam I've got now. I put in some spa perfect yesterday, but I think I'm going to take a sample in tomorrow.
Do not use an enzyme treatment (spa perfect) with Carefree! If the water gets foamy, use a foam away product and/or shock with boost. To help prevent this, do not put swimming suits in the wash and just rinse with water after use.
The thing is, I can test for chlorine, PH and carefree, but in addition to Carefree, Boost, PH plus and PH minus, I've got bottles of Soft, Resist, Protect and Eliminate...not to mention bottles of stuff to soak my filters in (thank goodness the dealer included it all in the price). Seems like a lot of chemicals....
Being on Carefree gives you a product that has many advantages built into it. It has clarifiers and stain and scale so there's no need for eliminate and soft. Resist will increase your alkalinity and this should be done on a fresh fill and tested monthly along with calcium hardness. Protect will increase that if needed. You should clean your filters monthly and I'm guessing you have filter pure and filter cure. If so, alternate those every month. There's far better cleaners than those...
What I want to know is how am I ever supposed to learn to know when I need to add this stuff?
Your dealer should be able to print you off a start-up and weekly maintenance procedure for care free which will be based on the volume of water in your spa. Ask if they have the program on their computer and if not, they should get. They're not helping their customers if they don't.
What exactly constitutes "micromanaging your water" and is getting your water tested once a month enough. I don't want to shorten the life of my tub through neglect nor do I want my young daughter climbing into unsafe water, but I don't want to drive my dealer nuts either by going in all the time. She's been great at giving me info, but her bottom line is.."if you're not sure, just bring in a sample." My problem is, I'm never really sure about anything outside of adding Boost.
It's your dealer’s job to make sure you are 100% comfortable with your watercare. These print off sheets will make it much easier and if you need to, put aside an hour and go sit down with her so she can fully explain it. Learn it properly from the beginning and you'll have better water with less maintenance.
I expect I'm probably overthinking this a little bit, but like most newbies, I'm trying to get handle on it all - and there's a little more to it than I expected.
Just for curiosity's sake, when does a newbie stop being a newbie?
Once you've spent the time to get clarification from your dealer (assuming your dealer fully understands the program) then really it's a few months to feel completely comfortable with it. It's a learning curve and it gets easier every month.
Steve
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Thanks Steve. My dealer does give me the computer printouts, although she often changes some of what it says. She says there is a new computer program coming out shortly that will obsolete the present one.
I do use the floating puck dispenser and I appreciate the tip about mixing spa perfect and carefree (the dealer's daughter gave me the spa perfect when I was in asking about cloudy water). I am guessing that they either neutralize one another or double up the dosage.
Curious though as to what filter cleaner you recommend
over beachcomber's products. I have been rinsing my filter twice a week with the garden hose but am planning to soak my filter this weekend for the first time.
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There's a number of them out there and most I haven't tried but with the many I have, Filter Brite by SpaGuard works the best and is inexpensive.
Steve