Party time in your hot tub!

With Memorial Day coming up, no doubt you'll be somewhere with a volleyball net, bocche ball set, horseshoe throwing contest and many other fun, outdoor games! Why not start a new tradition incorporating your hot tub? 

One of our employees came up with a great hot tub party idea: Soaker Poker! We've provided instructions on how to create your game pieces & the best way to have fun with a poker game in the hot tub! Download the instructions here

Check out our website for more Party-ideas or submit your own ideas to us via email! If we pick your entry, you will win $50 store credit! 

How often should I change my filter?

The life expectancy of a filter depends on the type of water care system you are using, how well you care for the filter(s), as well as the type of filter(s) you have. If you do not have a Hot Spring, Caldera or Sundance spa, it's best to refer to your owner's manual for proper filter care, but the "General Filter Maintenance" should have some good tips for you!

Proper filter care is very important. If filters are not cared for properly or disposed in the appropriate amount of time, not only will water clarity be difficult to maintain, but major mechanical failures can occur.

During the 10 years+ we have been in business, we have had over 20 different filters for our hot tub models! That's a lot of filters to keep track of, not to mention care for! Fortunately, the filters fall into 3 main categories:

• Standard paper filters
  
• MicroClean II filters (For 880 series Sundance spas 2005+)
  
• Tri-X filters (optional for All Hot Spring models and standard on the larger models 2006+)
  

Standard paper filters have a life expectancy of 1 ½ - 2 years if cared for properly.

• Baqua Spa: For tubs on the BaquaSpa chemical system, follow the 2x2 system. Every TWO weeks,remove your filter(s) and rinse with water. Every TWO months, soak your filter(s) overnight in the BaquaSpa filter cleaning solution.
  
  
• Nature II/Chlorine: For tubs on the nature II/chlorine (or bromine) system, the filters should be soaked in Brilliance for spas filter cleaner every time you drain your spa.

*Please note that the small white micro clean filter for older Sundance spas and current 780 series Sundance spas MUST be replaced every 3-4 months! This cannot be cleaned!

MicroClean II filters have a life expectancy of anywhere from 6-9 months depending on hot tub use. Cleaning this product in a filter cleaning solution will cause it to disintegrate.

• Baqua Spa: For tubs on the BaquaSpa chemical system, spa performance will be greatly increased by remove the filter and rinsing with a hose on a monthly basis
  
  
• Nature II/Chlorine: For tubs on the nature II/chlorine (or bromine) system, the filter should not need to be rinsed.

Tri-X filters have a life expectancy of up to 5 years.

• Baqua Spa: Soak your filters in "BaquaSpa filter cleaner" over night at least every 3 months. Do not put your filters in the dishwasher
  
  
• Nature II/Chlorine: Because the filters can become clogged with body oils, they should be chemically cleaned every 3-4 months using “Brilliance Filter Cleaner”
  
  
• Dishwasher cleaning: As long as you're not using BaquaSpa, you can put the tri-x filters in the dishwasher, but we do not suggest this as the only method of cleaning them. If you choose to occasionally clean your filters this way, make sure there is no detergent in the water, no rinse agent present and that your dishwasher is not on the dry cycle.

Download handy Filter Care sheets from our website

General Filter Care
MicroClean II Filter Care

Tri-X Filter Care

Introducing Caldera Spas

We're so excited to introduce an addition to our spas lines: Caldera Spas. From the makers of Hot Spring  Spas, the world's #1 selling brand, Caldera spas' focus is  Comfort, Performance and Style!    We are happy to report our floors are outfitted and the product is ready for you to try out! Whether you're a recent spa owner and just dreaming "for the future" or ready to trade-in your older hot tub model, you have to check out what Caldera has to offer! We know you're going to love it! Check out this video of their newest model for 2009, The Catabria!

You're going to love the sleek styling of the Caldera line!

     

Check out Caldera Spas on the web and stay tuned for our updated showroom ANY DAY!

Aquatic Fitness Systems

We are so excited to introduce our new product line:

Exercising in water is a GREAT way to get (or stay) in shape without the aches and pains of a "normal" workout.  When your body weight is supported by water, your chances of injury decrease significantly.

Some of the MANY health benefits include:

• Cardiovascular Health
• Arthritis Relief
• Diabetes control
• Sleep Enhancement
• Weight Management
• Back Pain relief
• Prenatal health

and so much more!

Isn't an AFS just a small pool? No! While it might look like a pool, the AFS is a hydrotherapuetic work-out center! You have the room to do full exercises (even swim!) like in a pool with the benefits of soaking in warm water!

What makes AFS different from the other brands out there? AFS is set-apart by it's:

• Ultra-Versatile Exercises
• Brillliant Water clarify (provided by two cutting-edge technologies in pure, clean water)
• Energy Efficiency

not to mention that it's a winner of worldwide recognition, certification and awards!

Check out the Aquatic Fitness System website here!

Dream about what the AFS could look like in your backyard!

Cover tips for the Winter

We feel a little silly writing this entry today when it's 63 degrees in the Philadelphia region, but we thought we'd share some great cover tips to help lengthen the life of your cover and save energy during the cold months!

1. Make sure you check your cover straps and locks to be sure they are in great condition (and that the cover locks down) so that you are able to ward off damage from high winds. 
   
   
2. Condition your cover before snow and ice hits. Conditioning keeps the vinyl supple and helps to prevent drying out from winter weather. Try our 303 vinyl product.
   
   
3. When snow and ice settles on the cover, be sure to remove it early. Allowing snow, ice and leaves to settle on the cover can cause permanent damage. Remove the snow/ice with a brush or soft broom- not with a rake, shovel or any other sharp object. Keeping snow loads from accumulating will preserve the integrity of the foam cores. Removing ice can also avoid any punctures to the vinyl.
   
   
4. Be careful when handling the cover, tie-down straps and locks. The cover vinyl won't stretch when it gets really cold, and it can crack in the most severe temperatures (below -20 degrees for the top vinyl; below -40 degrees for the bottom vinyl). When removing the spa cover, take extra care to unlock the straps. If the locks are iced shut, you may need to use a little spray lubricant to free them.

If you suspect it might be time to replace your cover, take our CoverCheckUp test to be sure, and then ContactUs for a new cover quote!

Limelight Hot Tubs

Have you heard about our new line, Limelight Hot Tubs (by the makers of Hot Spring Spas)?

A marketing company did a write up on them on their blog this week. It's a really great overview from a non-hot-tub person (which is sometimes better than us hot tub people!)

Check it out here!

Cover Check Up Checklist

Do you think it might be time for a new cover?  Check out these common symptoms for older covers and see if any of these sound familiar:

• The vinyl is Dry, Brittle, Dirty, Torn or Cracked.
  
  
• The cover hinge is torn more than 6".
  
  
• The cover straps and locks are Torn, Broken or Missing.
  
  
• The foam cores(s) are Sagging, Puddling or Heavy.

These symptoms can occur as your cover hits the end of it's life cycle (most manufacturers suggest you replace your cover every 5 years).  It's vital that you keep a nice cover on your spa as it locks in the heat and helps you to use less energy to run the hot tub. 

If you're experiencing one or more of these symptoms, we suggest replacing your entire cover.

My vinyl is fine- can't I just replace one or both of the foam cores?
We are able to get the foam cores for most hot tubs we carry, but we do not suggest replacing the foam only unless your cover is under 2 years.  Overtime, the vinyl shrinks, making it near impossible to put around brand new foam.

My Foam cores are fine- can I replace the vinyl skin?

Again, we can get the vinyl for most covers, but only suggest replacing the vinyl if your tub is under 2 years old.

Contact us for a new cover quote!

 

*Tip for the cold East Coast Winters*

If you are replacing your vinyl or foam only, we highly, highly suggest you wait until warmer weather hits.  If you cannot wait, bring your cover into your home for an hour or two to warm up the vinyl.  You will NEVER get new vinyl on or new cores in with cold vinyl!  After the vinyl warms up, grab a buddy to help you wiggle the cover apart and back-together!