Acrylic Spa FAQs

What’s the Difference Between an Acrylic Spa and a Hot Tub?

The words spa, hot tub, and jacuzzi are often used interchangeably to describe a large tub of hot jetted water most often found outdoors. The key thing to pay attention to are the modifiers also being used to describe them. Words like “acrylic” or “in-ground” give you a clue to their construction. The term “hot tub” was first used to describe an outdoor wooden barrel filled with hot water. During the 1950s, the Jacuzzi brothers modified this concept by adding a hydrotherapy pump and jets for relaxation. The word “spa” comes from the thermal springs favored by the ancient Romans for medicinal purposes. In the present day, “spa” is also used to describe locations offering massages, steam baths, and mineral-rich spring water- and seawater-based health and beauty treatments.

How Do I Choose the Right Outdoor Hot Tub for My Needs?

You’ll want to ask yourself the following questions when determining the best hot tub for your needs:

• How large is your yard? You’ll want to measure accurately to ensure you get the best size that doesn’t overwhelm your other landscaping elements.
• What shape do you prefer? Today’s hot tubs are round, square, rectangular, triangular, and even heart-shaped to suit your desires!
• How often do you plan to use your hot tub, and how many people do you want it to hold at a time? Is it just for romantic evenings with you and your partner, or do you plan to entertain guests in the hot tub?
• What type of customization options are you interested in discussing? Some clients want comfy bucket seats or loungers with a view or eye-catching interior patterns. Others want to add adjustable mood lighting, massaging jets, headrests, or an ozonator to make sanitizing their hot tub a breeze. Whatever suits your preferences, Tribal Waters Custom Pools & Spas would be happy to help you customize your hot tub at a reasonable price!

How Long Does It Take to Fill an Acrylic Spa or Hot Tub?

The size of your hot tub, the type of hose pipe you’re using to fill it, and your water pressure will affect how long it takes to fill your hot tub. If you own a standard mid-sized hot tub, it could take 2-3 hours.

How Long Does It Usually Take for a Spa to Get Hot?

Most outdoor spas don’t have huge water heaters because they would cost more to run than most homeowners would be willing to pay. The size of your spa and the time of year will affect how long it takes to get hot. It can take several hours to raise the temperature enough to get it warm and cozy, especially if it’s wintertime. If you use your spa several days a week, it may be best to keep it hot, so you don’t have to wait for it to heat up each time. During the summer, your spa may heat by itself just from being in the sun, especially if you leave off its cover. If this is a concern, ask about spa models with superior insulation or energy-efficiency features to help minimize your overall energy costs.

How Often Do You Have to Add Chlorine to an Outdoor Spa?

Part of hot tub maintenance is checking its water chemistry levels using test strips every week. Based on your findings, you’ll likely have to add chlorine and other sanitizing chemicals or tablets once or twice a week. If you remember to check its pH levels, shock it, and drain and refill it as recommended, you should enjoy many happy years in your outdoor swim spa.

Should I Limit the Amount of Time Spent in My Hot Tub?

This is entirely up to you. If you remember to keep yourself well-hydrated while sitting in your hot tub, you won’t have to worry about adverse side effects as much. The longer you sit inside your hot tub or the more frequently you use it, the more sanitizer you’ll want to add to maintain clean water.