Accessories Questions

[Gebo]

New HT Owner. What accessories do you recommend? Cover lifter, towel rack, chemical storage, steps, etc.

Where do you store your chemicals? Outside or inside? Any suggestions on some type of cabinet or storage box?

I've gotten so confused on deciding on a cover lifter. The dealer says not to worry about it. I'm not a sissy so lifting
it is not a problem. I just don't want the cover sliding all over the deck every time I move it on and off. One guy says
he would never screw anything into to side of his hot tub. Heck, I want some advice if you have any.

I did purchase a sump pump from Home Depot with a 25 foot 1.5 inch drain hose.

 

[YippeeSkippy]

The best thing we bought was our Saftron Mini SWG for the hot tub. After that the Cover Lifter is a must... ours is specific to lift the cover into a tight spot almost touching our screened in porch. There are various ones.

Oh yeah... and the TF-100 test kit www.tftestkits.net

Maddie

 

[theRover]

We just bought a towel \ robe rack from Amazon yesterday. Pvc , looks like a hat rack with a place on the top for phones or whatever, with a base that you fill with water....we needed something besides a lawn chair, cheap enough, so we'll try that. Our cover lift is nice, what else would you do with the cover if you didn't have one? Chemicals stay inside with test kit. Sump pump is on my list

 

[RDspaguy]

Lazy Lifter - Undermount Spa Cover Lift

The Lazy Lifter Spa Cover Lift is an adjustable medium-duty lift, fitting spas 6’ to 8’ wide. Slide under plates keep the lift in place – no drilling required.

www.spadepot.com

If you're really worried about some screw holes filled with screws for your cover lift , they make ones the spa sits on, called "undermount".
The choice of a lift is dependent on the circumstances. Each type has different clearances and such so you need one that works where you're putting it.
Be aware that a saltron, or any other aftermarket salt system, will likely void your new spa warranty.

 

[Gebo]

Lazy Lifter - Undermount Spa Cover Lift

The Lazy Lifter Spa Cover Lift is an adjustable medium-duty lift, fitting spas 6’ to 8’ wide. Slide under plates keep the lift in place – no drilling required.

www.spadepot.com

If you're really worried about some screw holes filled with screws for your cover lift , they make ones the spa sits on, called "undermount".
The choice of a lift is dependent on the circumstances. Each type has different clearances and such so you need one that works where you're putting it.
Be aware that a saltron, or any other aftermarket salt system, will likely void your new spa warranty.

Thank you. I won’t be using the saltron. My spa dealer said I didn’t need a cover lifter. I’m ignorant as I’ve never had a hot tub. Without a cover lifter, do you just set the cover on the “ground” behind the tub? Mine will be up against a brick wall. I wouldn’t want it to get scratched up.

 

[phonedave]

New HT Owner. What accessories do you recommend? Cover lifter, towel rack, chemical storage, steps, etc.

Where do you store your chemicals? Outside or inside? Any suggestions on some type of cabinet or storage box?

I've gotten so confused on deciding on a cover lifter. The dealer says not to worry about it. I'm not a sissy so lifting
it is not a problem. I just don't want the cover sliding all over the deck every time I move it on and off. One guy says
he would never screw anything into to side of his hot tub. Heck, I want some advice if you have any.

I did purchase a sump pump from Home Depot with a 25 foot 1.5 inch drain hose.

I have a Vanish XL lifter on my tub - works great. I was not worried about screwing it to the tub, but I was concerned about gluing the cover to the lifter, but it has been about 18 months now and it is still firmly attached. I recommend a lifter, it makes things a lot easier.

Aside from all the other outdoor storage doo-dads like towel racks and phone holders, get yourself a fish tank net from the pet store and hang it so you can reach it from inside the tub. That why when the occasional bug or leaf drops it while you are bathing, you just scoop it right out (unless you enjoy the carnival type game of scoop up the bug with your hands in moving water).

I keep my test kit inside. I have it all in a Milwaukee Packout Organizer - it is pretty much perfect. One section for each test, a section for the speed stir and pH meter, a section for test vials, and a section for a small towel.

I keep my bleach, acid, and AhhSome outside in a shed. Yeah, inside is better, but it works for me.

A small shop vac is also nice to have. My sump pump leaves about an inch of water in the bottom, the shop vac takes care of that.

 

[Gebo]

I have a Vanish XL lifter on my tub - works great. I was not worried about screwing it to the tub, but I was concerned about gluing the cover to the lifter, but it has been about 18 months now and it is still firmly attached. I recommend a lifter, it makes things a lot easier.

Aside from all the other outdoor storage doo-dads like towel racks and phone holders, get yourself a fish tank net from the pet store and hang it so you can reach it from inside the tub. That why when the occasional bug or leaf drops it while you are bathing, you just scoop it right out (unless you enjoy the carnival type game of scoop up the bug with your hands in moving water).

I keep my test kit inside. I have it all in a Milwaukee Packout Organizer - it is pretty much perfect. One section for each test, a section for the speed stir and pH meter, a section for test vials, and a section for a small towel.

I keep my bleach, acid, and AhhSome outside in a shed. Yeah, inside is better, but it works for me.

A small shop vac is also nice to have. My sump pump leaves about an inch of water in the bottom, the shop vac takes care of that.

Thank you for your input!

 

[RDspaguy]

Mine will be up against a brick wall.

Check clearances. The lift I linked requires almost 2ft of clearance.