Recent content by bubbles

Thanks PJ! I used it when we first moved in ( the hot tub came with the place) and I followed the instructions on TFP for a thorough cleaning since it was new to us and the previous owners weren't stellar at upkeep. For whatever reason, I just kept doing the spa purge with every water change...

Just wanted to know if it's a good idea to use spa purge every time I change the water in my hot tub. The chems stay balanced regularly and I change the water out every 3-4 months. I have been using the spa purge every time, just wondering if it is necessary. Thanks so much! B

You don't mention what zone in Texas...Not sure what you are looking for, but some plants I have used or am going to use include pindo palm, mexican fan palm, crinums, cannas, mexican feather grass, tropical hibiscus, varigated liriope, Texas Birds of Paradise, daylillies, mexican petunias, wood...

Yeah, I was talking with a friend about this and she suggested sand bags on either side. Think I will give that a go. I didn't get the Rockey reel because we don't want anything permanently anchored, we plan to put it away once it gets warmer/colder outside.

Well, I just learned a lesson yesterday. For those of you that may be new to solar covers like me, FYI, when there is a fair amount of wind and your solar cover is on, there is the possibility of the reel flying INTO the pool :shock: !! Not once, but twice yesterday that happened. I finally...

I just got my solar cover last week and have already noticed a wonderful difference. I did go for the 16 mil since it was only a few dollars more, but I may go for the 12 next time. We'll see how this one holds up. I also have an irregular shaped pool and I got the rectangle and cut it to fit...

You might call around to some of the reputable pool companies in your area ( some of them carry spa and spa supplies as well). I had to replace mine earlier this year. Did my research online and then called around. The local pool builder I went with gave me the price I found online ( they had...

Just a quick update. My pool guy made it out to take a look. Apparently I got the ants out (at least for the most part)...he took a look and thankfully said everything seems to be okay. He didn't see a need to take anything apart(lol, he said he would if I wanted him to, but he saw no reason to...

I wish it was still under warranty! And yeah, just missed it....I am lucky that my pool guy is great. We found him with the warranty company and he has really taken good care of us in the past...very fair on prices. he also did some work for us that was not covered under our home warranty as...

Ok, blew out underneath, let it run for awhile and it is definitely running hotter than 150 and still making that high pitched humming that is not normal...turned it back off! Went ahead and called my pool repair guy since he won't charge me anything to look at it. Darn it, the thing is only a...

Nope, not sure at all...I like your test method, hopefully my "restaurant hands" won't give me a false reading (lol, I waited tables in college and can still handle hot stuff without issue). Now, do I need to take the casing off to clean out underneath or can I just spray compressed air under...

Yeah and actually, I reread my post and realized that I meant to say they are in the pump motor! I am getting some borax tomorrow and hopefully will take care of it. In the intern, I may still need to get a prof out here if the motor is still running hot...I am not sure how much damage they are...

Unfortunately no...have not used borates so far...I did spray them down with what I had on hand, 20% vinegar..it's killed a chunk of them and I will be going after them again in the morning.Turned the pump back on to circulate chems for the evening and then will turn back off til morning, hoping...

:shock: I heard the pool pump running funny yesterday and went to see what the deal was and there was an ant pile under the pump housing. I sprayed them down and after about an hour it went back to it's normal hum. Went out again today, same thing, ants still not eradicated, the not so normal...

Trying to plan ahead since it seems that the lifespan of our hot tub may be shorter than we like. First, what is the average life span? We have a thermospa that came with the house. It's 6 years old now and I am thinking it wasn't maintained that well before us. It seems more often than not, we...