Hi everyone, we are finalizing our pool/spa/yard build plan, and I am struggling with our PB designer's final answers/advice about the spa. He has been great overall, but his answers are not technical enough for me. I'd like to hear from TFP'ers!
We are a family of four w/ kids aged 8 & 10, and have guests often (old and young). We live in warm CA, but we are looking forward to a hot soak in the evening, and we intend to use the spa a lot, for ourselves and guests.
Our designed spa is a round, raised overflow type, 12" above grade, and 7.5 feet diameter from interior wall to interior wall. It has a dual height bench around the circumference (except for the steps). It is about 25 feet from the equipment room, and will be driven by our Ecostar 2.7 HP VS pump, through a Pentair Quad 100 DE filter (only Pentair item), Hayward 400k NG heater, and/or rooftop solar panels. All controlled by Omnilogic.
I think I have a handle on the basics- full loop for for jets and air, 3" PVC throughout (pool and spa), and a Hartford loop for the air (if possible). But that is the extent of my comfort level.
Our base package includes 4 Roto Jets, and PB added 2 more at a reasonable charge, along with a Polaris 1 hp, bottom mount blower. The TFP consensus seems most people like lots of jets, more is better. I asked about adding more jets, and our PB said that 6 is the most one pump can handle with good flow.
To add more jets, we will need an additional, dedicated pump, and another blower. If we do this, we might as well add another six jets, to maximize the benefit for the additional pump and blower. This loop will not be heated, just recirculated spa water. So according to the PB it ends up making sense to go with either 6 or 12 jets.
Here are my questions:
-Are Roto Jets okay? Does jet selection matter much?
-What is a great jet layout? A couple of seats with multiple jets, a few with singles and a few without?
-Will we fight for the multiple jet seats? Are calf and foot jets really nice, or do they go unused? Should we just go whole hog and put jets everywhere? I don't mind spending the $$ for a better spa experience, I just want to spend it wisely .
-Is my PB's math accurate? It seems like the 6 jets per pump is just a standard response. Will the 2.7Hp Ecostar and with 3" PVC 25' away actually drive 8 or more jets satisfactorily? Or is six a reasonable max?
-What about jet spacing, I've read differing opinions. A 7.5 ft diameter spa is 23.5 foot circumference, minus steps. That's close to 20' of back wall space, but maybe 12 ft (subtracting steps) at the inside of the seat ledge. Is that good for up to 8 people? Or it that getting tight? And how do you plan jet spacing? Certain number of inches apart? Or just divide the circumference evenly?
-Finally, if you could re-design your spa, what would you do differently? What would be ideal for you? How would you lay out the jets?
I'll be happy with any spa, but I really want to try to dial it in.
Thank you in advance for any help here, it is much appreciated!
Jason
We are a family of four w/ kids aged 8 & 10, and have guests often (old and young). We live in warm CA, but we are looking forward to a hot soak in the evening, and we intend to use the spa a lot, for ourselves and guests.
Our designed spa is a round, raised overflow type, 12" above grade, and 7.5 feet diameter from interior wall to interior wall. It has a dual height bench around the circumference (except for the steps). It is about 25 feet from the equipment room, and will be driven by our Ecostar 2.7 HP VS pump, through a Pentair Quad 100 DE filter (only Pentair item), Hayward 400k NG heater, and/or rooftop solar panels. All controlled by Omnilogic.
I think I have a handle on the basics- full loop for for jets and air, 3" PVC throughout (pool and spa), and a Hartford loop for the air (if possible). But that is the extent of my comfort level.
Our base package includes 4 Roto Jets, and PB added 2 more at a reasonable charge, along with a Polaris 1 hp, bottom mount blower. The TFP consensus seems most people like lots of jets, more is better. I asked about adding more jets, and our PB said that 6 is the most one pump can handle with good flow.
To add more jets, we will need an additional, dedicated pump, and another blower. If we do this, we might as well add another six jets, to maximize the benefit for the additional pump and blower. This loop will not be heated, just recirculated spa water. So according to the PB it ends up making sense to go with either 6 or 12 jets.
Here are my questions:
-Are Roto Jets okay? Does jet selection matter much?
-What is a great jet layout? A couple of seats with multiple jets, a few with singles and a few without?
-Will we fight for the multiple jet seats? Are calf and foot jets really nice, or do they go unused? Should we just go whole hog and put jets everywhere? I don't mind spending the $$ for a better spa experience, I just want to spend it wisely .
-Is my PB's math accurate? It seems like the 6 jets per pump is just a standard response. Will the 2.7Hp Ecostar and with 3" PVC 25' away actually drive 8 or more jets satisfactorily? Or is six a reasonable max?
-What about jet spacing, I've read differing opinions. A 7.5 ft diameter spa is 23.5 foot circumference, minus steps. That's close to 20' of back wall space, but maybe 12 ft (subtracting steps) at the inside of the seat ledge. Is that good for up to 8 people? Or it that getting tight? And how do you plan jet spacing? Certain number of inches apart? Or just divide the circumference evenly?
-Finally, if you could re-design your spa, what would you do differently? What would be ideal for you? How would you lay out the jets?
I'll be happy with any spa, but I really want to try to dial it in.
Thank you in advance for any help here, it is much appreciated!
Jason
