Calling all Bullfrog Spa Owners

BravoRomeo said:

We've had our A5L since 2019. My previous tub was a 2000's era Hotspring Jetsetter, which I had bought used from a family member and refurbished. We wet tested the Bullfrog tub at a local dealer, actually a larger version than what we ended up with. The jetpacks are a great idea and you can easily swap them around to suit your fancy. Once a week I top up the tub, run my weekly tests, and wipe down the water line with a microfiber cloth, including behind the jetpacks. The design does allow some water to circulate behind them, so it's not stagnate at least.

My view on seating and loungers... our bodies are pretty much neutral buoyancy in water. Whether you're sitting on a simple bench in a traditional wood staved hot tub or a reclined massaging lounger seat almost doesn't matter all that much. In all the tubs I've been in, what I do notice is how well lined up the jets are to my body, and is there something comfy to rest my head on and gaze up at the stars. That is definitely the goal.That said, the lounger is my favorite spot in the tub.

In our A5L, the lounger does double-duty as a cool down seat. Sit with your back to the filters (there's a pillow there, too), and you're in a very shallow seat that is great to get your upper body out of the water and cool down a bit. I'm 5'10" find even the relatively shallow A5L adequate. Each seat in the tub is at a different height, so you just move around to what you like.I am just worried at 5'2'' that I won't be able to anchor my feet in the long and my head will end up underwater, or I just float on up. I really love the idea of a lounger and want it to work.

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BravoRomeo said:

As far as build quality goes, I really like the Bullfrog compared to my previous Hotsprings tub. The Bullfrog's plastic frame and floor pan were important to me after dealing with rotting wood on the Hotsprings tub (maybe they've improved that). I also grew tired of the Hotsprings proprietary parts. That Bullfrog uses standard off-the-shelf parts is refreshing.I did not know that about the parts. It appears by making a plastic frame and floor plan they really thought it out.

Although I tried the Bullfrog-supplied @ease chlorine cartridge system, I became disenchanted with it and went back to the tried-and-true TFP method for better results and significantly lower costs. I read your thread about the @ease, thank you for reviewing that on the forum. I have used TFP for my pool for years, it's a no brainer for the tub. I am considering the Salton mini also.

I purge my tub with Ahh-some with every water change. I pull the filters out, but leave the jet packs in. Dislodged gunk can accumulate at the water line behind the jetpacks, so just remember to wipe behind them as well. I plan to follow suit. Thanks for all the suggestions, recommendations.

Good luck!

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phonedave said:

Honestly, the act of removing the pack itself and replacing it takes more strength than moving it around does. Just read the direction and put your hands where they tell you to.

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phonedave said:

They do have some tiny holes on the backs of the packs to keep the water behind them moving. But I do the same thing you suggest. I "strip down" my tub on a water change. I take out all of the packs, the filters, the filter door, etc and it all gets scrubbed and hosed out separately, as does the now empty tub shell. I also pop out the packs and wipe behind them every so often because as you said "it can't hurt"

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phonedave said:

Do your purge with the packs in (and open) and they will purge just fine. Then while your tub is draining, pop out the packs, turn them upside down, and stick a hose in the main port on the pack - that will flush them out. Then wipe them down, hose them off, and set them aside.

By the time you are done with the packs, your tub will have drained, and you can move on to wiping down your tub.

Fill the tub by sticking the hose in the filter intake (so you don't airlock your pumps) and when it gets up to the level of the seats, put your packs back in.

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TheBraLady said:

We bought an A7L in 2015. We went and wet tested several different ones in the showroom that day. The Bullfrog was the last thing we tested and all I remembered. Bought it on the spot. Well, ordered it.

Our spa sits on a level concrete slab poured specifically for the spa. Full sun all day long. I do keep it covered when not in use. And it has never sat empty. We had an issue with the frame warping. It was absolutely horrible. The side was wavy.

I contacted our dealer - he contacted Bullfrog and they brought us a new spa in 2017. No complaints there! However, the new spa is honestly doing much of the same thing, just not as bad. When they came to replace it they looked at our setup and couldn't determine what caused the warping.

I follow TFP, have the test kit recommended, etc. I've used the bromine method, and actually just purged with AhhSome today and it's filling back up now. Going back to the dichlor/bleach method this go round.

And I guess I am the odd one around here! LOL! I love the lounger - it's my favorite spot. I'm 5'5.

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cranbiz said:

I love our lounger also. I'm 5'7" and stay put pretty good. I'll soak in the lounge watching TV for 30 minutes or so. Great place to relax. However, a lounge does take up a lot of space and not everyone will stay put in one. Different manufacturers have slightly different lounge parameters and that's why a wet test is so important.

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Foxer said:

We've got an A8L on order - Have had to push delivery twice already, hopefully we're ready for it soon!. My wife really wanted a lounger mainly so she could get some jets on her calf's, and I like them too, so we went that direction. I liked the A8 vs A7 because there's a bit more leg room (I'm 6', wife is 5'3"). The A7's leg room felt cramped to me. If you have more than a couple people in it you'd be bumping knees I think.

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