Do you want a hot tub? Spa? What is the difference between these anyway? The hot tub and spa are terms that are commonly used interchangeably today. Although most individuals have a perceived notion that one of them is different than the other, the actuality of it is that today they are both called spas and hot tubs. That wasn t always the case though. There actually was a time when they were two different things completely.

The first to come along was that of the hot tub. This term was coined well back into the 1960 s when hot tubs first got their big boom. During that time, the hot tub was a large, wooden barrel shaped contraption that was used in the same basic way as the hot tub is used today, just simplified. They were basically just tubs that were large enough for a person or two people. They held hot water for people to soak in. They definitely didn t have high powered jets, though!

Then the spa came into play. The spa is actually the term that manufacturers gave this new and improved hot tub because they wanted people to realize that what they were offering was different then what they knew as hot tubs. These were made from molded fiberglass and they often have thermoplastic shells. They weren t wood like the hot tub.

Today, most retailers will use the terms interchangeably although there is a bit of a difference. Although many hot tubs still have that same wooden outside, they don t look nearly as rigid as their first heirs. Indeed, many have some of the best features on the market including jets and seating. Most hot tubs have the same features as those that were once thought to be only offered on a spa. Hot tub, spa; really just get one!

Spa parts are ideal for your spas well being. If you were going to take for yourself, you would want to take care of your injuries as soon as they were to happen. You would make decisions about what goes into your mouth so that you have a healthy lifestyle. You would also take the time to learn what s good for you and what s not so good. In caring for your spa parts, you need to do these things, too. There is no doubt that you need to pay attention to your spa for it to have a long life serving you.

The first thing you need to do is to consider maintenance. The most important maintenance that you do will be in regards to water. The filter, the cartridges and so much more need to be cared for so that the motor doesn t have to overdo it and then burn out. Take the time to thoroughly read through the directions provided in your owner s manual about how to do this and when to do it.

You should also monitor the motor spa parts, the inside of the tub itself, the foundation and all aspects of the hot tub. Preventative maintenance really only takes a few minutes but will save you countless dollars later on and a lot of aggravation.

Should something go wrong and you need new spa parts for your spa, you need to go on a hunt for information. You need serial numbers and model numbers. Get the manufacturer s name and the age of the hot tub, too. All of these things are crucial to helping you to find the right pumps, pieces and parts for your hot tub. Replacing these elements doesn t have to be difficult especially since most dealers offer them either in their shops or you can purchase them online. Spa parts are something you have to think about though!

Hot tub chemicals are a mixture of elements that contain just the right abilities to keep your hot tub clean and healthy for your continued use. When you use them properly, they provide you with not only a clean spa but also a spa that lasts longer and needs less repair work on it. The questions is, though, do you know how to properly care for your hot tub chemicals? Most individuals don t spend enough of their time paying attention to these fine details and that can lead to problems later.

Here are a few things you need to consider about hot tub chemicals and your weekly to do list.

• You need to test the water to determine its level of chemicals. That means understanding its pH level, its Alkalinity and its Bromine levels, the key ingredients in hot tub chemical soup.
• You need to keep Bromine tables filled in the floater at all times. These floaters allow you to take care of the process weekly even though it will help you over a longer period.
• You will need to consider the water clarifier level and add the right amount of it to the hot tub.
• Determine if you need spa shocks, chlorine or non chlorine shock and add it.
• Make sure that you adjust the alkaline levels in the hot tub as well.
• You should also use a spa cleaning product to wipe down the edges of the spa to prevent any type of staining or bacteria growth that could be lurking there.

Doing these things is a must for any hot tub user. If you spend just ten minutes a week on these things, the hot tub chemicals can do their job so that you can have the hot tub that you want the most.

Hot tub filters are a requirement. Although it is easy to make the mistake of not replacing your filters often enough, this is something you want to try your best to avoid. With the help of a system, that can be made easier. It is also important to find filters that are both affordable yet still function at the highest level. Don t be fooled into thinking that all products out there are worth the cost because they aren t.

If you want to purchase filters regularly, as you should, first find out how often you need to do so. This will depend on the manufacturer s recommendations as well as the amount that you use the hot tub. It will also depend on the quality of water, if you have the right balance of chemicals and run your filter as you should. Find out how often you need to replace the filter. If it is every month, for example, write the date of the day that you need to replace it onto the filter and place it facing out on your tank.

The other dilemma that people often face in regards to their hot tub filter is as simple as going for a less than high quality product. When it comes to filters, you need the right size and type because that is what your mechanism is designed for. Putting anything less than that into the hot tub filter will cause it to not work as well. Those filters that are very cheap are likely not to trap all of the contaminants that are important to trap. Spend a bit more and get the quality you need so you don t have to go through filters quite so fast.

Hot tub filters aren t an option because they need to be in place to pump in the dirty water and pump out the highly desirable water. Not only do they provide clean water to you, but to the hot tub, they are essential to keeping it working well.

A portable hot tub is just that. It is a hot tub that you can move to whatever location that fits your needs. These are some of the nicest and most affordable tubs out there. If you want the benefits of a spa or hot tub but you don t want the cost that goes along with it, consider what these portable units can do for you. In many cases, you will find these to be the least expensive hot tubs available today.

Most portable hot tubs will come with the ability to inflate them. They do not have a hard outer shell, which makes them easier to move from place to place. You will want one that can easily be inflated, such as one that comes with the ability to do this on their own. Many will also provide you with the sensations of a hot tub including the streaming jets of water. You can easily get these up and running in minutes. Since many will have the ability to inflate within minutes, you benefit from a spur of the moment hot tub soaking!

Don t worry; most of these portable hot tubs do have heating units. You ll be able to get the best possible massage with the jets stream. Probably one of the largest benefits, though, is the fact that you don t have to pay for costly installation of the hot tub. That cuts down the costs considerably. Of course, you can take down the hot tub as well saving yourself room in tight spaces.

Because of how affordable these portable hot tubs are, there are a number of different models on the market. Take the time to check out the options and even look for reviews of them online. That can help you to find the best possible product for your desire.

Spa chemicals are one of the most frustrating and worrisome things that people need to take care of in regards to their spas. The chemicals that you put into your spa do several key things for your spa. First, they keep the water there healthy and free from bacteria and other living organisms growing there. In addition, they help to keep the spa healthy itself. Water can be damaging when left for a long time in one place. Instead of draining the water out of your spa every day like you would a bath; these chemicals help to save you money by keeping the same water clean and usable.

What chemicals do you need to purchase? To know the answer to that question, you do need to take a look at your specific spa and your owner manual. You need to fully understand the proper procedures for your spa. The size of the spa and the make up of it will help to determine these requirements. You should always follow the directions provided by your spa guide rather than anything you find elsewhere.

One element that you will need to consider is that of testing strips, or pH testing strips which help you to gauge what is in the water and what the water needs. These strips are inexpensive and a must before every dip into the spa. In effect, they tell you what to put into the water to make it healthy for you.

You can purchase spa chemicals in most of the locations that you purchase spas from. Pool stores are also an option. In some cases, these chemicals can not be transported through mail, but local providers are almost always available. You should shop for them in the off season to help you to save money on these essential spa chemicals.

There is no doubt that there are pool covers and then there are more pool covers. Most pools will feature some type of covering device, granted most of them do not provide the highest quality product with your purchase. Pools need covers for a number of reasons. Without them, chlorine is depleted faster, making it less safe to go into your pool. In addition, your pool s filters won t like the leaves and debris that get into them either. You can also gain some advantages with the right pool covers.

Before you become overwhelmed by the large selection of pool covers, take in the options that are available to you. First, consider size. A pool cover needs to be larger than your pool so that it can snuggly fit over the sides. It should have some mechanism that allows you to pull the cover on tightly. It should be light enough to make covering your pool easy, but heavy enough to actually not blow away during a windy storm.

One benefit to consider in pool covers are those that provide solar advantages. Solar heating allows you to take advantage of the sun overhead so that you can actually enjoy your pool without having to have the heater turned on. Solar heating pool covers may be worth the cost. Another important consideration that you have is that of a pool cover that will keep the pool safe to those that wander near it. If you don t have this feature, a child could accidentally fall in.

To select the right pool covers for your specific pool you should take the time to consider size, cost, function and ease of use. Remember, covering your pool is a must, but there are different methods to allow you to do just that. Take a few minutes to explore the options that you have and make a decision based on quality.

Spa covers are not an option! You need to have a cover for your spa to provide protection from the elements and from the countless things that could go wrong. Covers come in a variety of style and shapes because it is important to actually get the cover to fit snuggly over the spa. Without this snug fit, the cover can not provide the level of protection that you need. There are some features and options, though, that you may want to consider as well. If you need these features, it makes sense to purchase them. If not, don t waste your money on a fancy cover that provides no additional benefits.

The standard spa covers will provide you with enough protection for light weather events and for indoor use. These standard models are less expensive, but do little in the way of providing stability and hard core protection to a spa that could be put in the line of problems. You may want to consider upgrading, though to a product that has an energy shield. Some of these will help you to cover solar power into keeping the spa warm even when the heater is not on. Others provide a bit of protection in keeping heat in so that it warms up faster. If you want to keep water in and water out, consider a shell that s been double wrapped for additional benefits.

If you need a very durable product because of the harsh weather conditions your spa is prone to going through or you need a spa cover that is sturdy enough to walk on, these are features you simply should purchase. They provide protection to you and to the spa that is a must.

All of these elements are options you have, just to name a few. If you plan to keep your spa in working order for a long time, it matters what type of spa covers you use.

Spa enclosures take the average spa and make it much more elaborate. There are a number of different enclosure types that you can select from. While your budget does make for the largest consideration, the options are really endless. You can select from a number of different options that revolve around your tastes, your spa s size and just how much room you have. Some enclosures look like small homes even!

When selecting the spa enclosure that s right for you, stop for a moment and ask yourself these questions.

• What features will my enclosure provide? Electricity and water are a must, lighting, solar power and a place to sit and relax are other considerations.
• What space do you have for the spa enclosure? The foundation of the enclosure will need to extend past the enclosure itself. You also need room to open doors and to place steps.
• What are the requirements of your local areas? There may be restrictions or laws regarding what you can build and how you have to do it. Insure that you meet these requirements before you actually start buying supplies.
• Determine a budget. Even if you don t need to have a budget, the fact is that if you are hiring a professional, you want them to follow a budget and not unnecessarily spend money.
• What do you want your spa enclosures to look like? The look of your enclosure may match your home, your landscaping or it may be its own unit. The materials that you purchase will need to correlate with the look and feel that you are after.

Spa enclosures can be designed for your specific needs or purchased as pre made units. No matter what you decide to put in, a little pre planning helps you to make the decisions that will make a real deference. Invest some time in this planning phase for the best results.

Spa filters are something you ll have to buy several times per year, depending on the type and the usage that they get. Since you won t be purchasing them very often, it is very easy to forget which the right one to purchase is. Did you purchase the wrong ones and try to make them work? It doesn t work like that. Perhaps you simply have given up and are using the same ones over and over. This can cause damage to your spa and lessen its usable years. Instead, there are a few tricks that you can use to help you to find the right spa filter every time.

The first thing that you need to do is to read your owner s manual. Even if you don t need a filter yet, you need to know what type of filter is required for the unit. That means finding out the filter s size and shape as well as the type of filter it is. This information can be stored safely so that you can reference it for any time that you need it. Although most marketing packages will promote one brand of filter choice, you can likely use any brand that offers the right dimensions and factors that you need. In order to know what those are, read your owners manual.

In addition to these things, there are other ways of finding the right spa filters for your needs. You can take out the old filter and use that as a tool to help you to purchase another one. The equipments brand is important as that will help you to get the right product that you have. Also look for the FC number, the diameter, the pleatco number, and the threaded type. Each of these elements can help you to determine the absolute right product.

Don t purchase a spa filter that looks right. Learn how to know it s right instead.