Hot Tub Owners?

[Bonk!]

We're getting a small (3 person) hot tub, and I am trying to avoid making a big deal of the install. I'm going to have a licensed electrician do that aspect of it, but my question is the platform. The installer wanted $500 for a couple of mats to make sure the tub is level. Instead, I dug up enough dirt to make it reasonably level, rolled that with my Jeep, put down a weed barrier and added about three inches of gravel to make it perfectly level. I then dropped on an 8' x 8' platform out of PT 2" x 4" spaced at 12", and dropped on PT decking to spread the tub weight evenly. This was done a month ago before the ground even thought of freezing.

The tub weighs about 450 pounds dry, add 1,900 pounds for water and throw in some humans. Should I reinforce this thing (I could at least fill in the voids with more gravel) or am I being paranoid? The installer doesn't want to give me an opinion due to liability issues (which I get).

Any MA hot tub owners know what's code for the distance between the tub and the outlet? I know the electrician will know but I am just curious.

Thanks.

[JettaJayGLS]

Just get a couple guys to lift it.





Absolutely had to.

[jasnmar]

You've already done more than necessary.

I've installed a 5 person in 2 different locations. Both times dug enough to make ~9 (maybe 12, I don't remember) CMU blocks level and called it good. No problems at all with the thing ever getting out of level.

[Bonk!]

Thanks - I tend to overdo things! They're going to deliver and hook it up, I just want to make sure the base is adequate.

[BostonSVkid]

You have done WAY more than you needed to. I always leveled them up with patio blocks and shims. You are fine.

[xrocket21]

National electric code states you need a GFCI breaker / disconnect no less than 5 feet, no more than 50 feet from the tub

edit: and any outlets within 10' need to be gfci

[GixxerJosh]

I have a Softub Softub easy, put anywhere and plug into any standard outlet. Most energy efficient tub out there. Love it. On the back dack go in it every night even in this cold. Have water to 104 degrees. + Made right here in New Bedford MA Been keeping me employed for 12 years

[Imbeek]

The used six person hot tub I bought, I just set on a ground level shitty old deck. Doesn't even have piers or gravel under it! It is fine; if it gets at all out of level from sagging, you can tell instantly because of how far the water is from the top rim of the hot tub. The next time you drain the water out to change, it's easy enough to jack the low side up and Shim if necessary. I think I did that once and that's all it needed...

I wouldn't be trying anything this (half-ass) way if it was not sitting at ground level, though.

[Bonk!]

Thanks!

[SVRACER01]

[xrocket21]

I always wondered if thats the guy from weeds?

[MattR302]

I'd rather have the girl from 4E.

[boosten lebaron]

I have a Softub Softub easy, put anywhere and plug into any standard outlet. Most energy efficient tub out there. Love it. On the back dack go in it every night even in this cold. Have water to 104 degrees. + Made right here in New Bedford MA Been keeping me employed for 12 years

whats that thing run you a month in electricity?

[zgr]

I have an 6-8 person hot springs hot tub that needs a cover, FREE for the taking, we don't use it any more, you can back a 2 place atv or snowmobile trailer right up to it.

[scubasteveRR]

I have an awesome hot tub, it's actually a time machine too...

[GixxerJosh]

whats that thing run you a month in electricity?

around $15

[PainfullySlow]

got a 5 person hot tub and did about the same as everyone else when installing. Dug the perimeter, put down weed barrier, then 5" of gravel. The tub goes straight on top. I built the deck around it and I havent had any trouble with it going out of level.

[Bonk!]

got the tub and love it - new question though. It's pretty foamy (not distressingly so!) and I wonder if that means there's a particular chemical out of balance? I have owned a pool before so I am not unfamiliar with the general balancing process, but not at 104 degrees. Everything except the pH seems OK, and that's still reading high (I am decreasing it slowly so as to not over do it).

[xrocket21]

there is anti-foam you can just dump in

could be detergent from shorts or shampoo from hair

[BostonSVkid]

What brand did you buy??

[Bonk!]

Got a Bullfrog R5L. Nice thing about it is we could choose from a dozen or so options for the jet setup.