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Can you put salt in a hot tub without corroding the motor? (Possible new house).

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Posted 4/12/2014 12:42 AM (GMT 0)
The cabin I'm looking to move into (possibly) has a hot tub on the deck, bc it was originally built as a vacation house. The hot tub is kind of a big draw for me, but I'm sure it's full of nasty chemicals and chlorox; am I right?

So what I'm thinking is to clean it with "natural" chemicals (I know they're available, bc. I looked online). Then after that, I would like to add salt; I know I can't use Epsom Salt, because it is too strong, but I was hoping I could just use regular salt.

I know there are hot tubs made for salt water, but this one is just a regular hot tub. I can't find anything online that says whether you can or can't add salt?

If I were to renew the water, and clean it with natural stuff, I guess I would have to drain it, huh? How the heck do you drain a hot tub?

Also, are they expensive to heat during the winter, etc.?

Thanks, Margaret
Posted 4/12/2014 11:31 AM (GMT 0)
I've had notions of putting Epsom salts in our hot tub, but, no, it wouldn't last long, and the same for salt. We use the bromine based products which are better than the chlorine. I am sure there are more natural methods, it depends on how much maintenance you want to do.

Every hot tub has a drain plug. You connect a hose to it and let it flow out. You have to change the water once every three months.

The cost of running the tub depends on its size and the weather. I think in the worst of this winter's weather ours added $100 to the electric bill, but that was extreme. I figure that it is still cheaper than going for massages and chiropractic visits! It has really helped throughout my recovery.
Posted 4/12/2014 5:19 PM (GMT 0)
There are salt systems for spa maintenance. There's a cell that separates the sodium and chloride and the latter is what keeps the water clean. That eliminates having to buy chlorine and is easier on your skin. We have one on our AG pool. Google "salt systems for spas" and that will bring up several. There are pool forums where you could ask about them too.
Posted 4/12/2014 7:12 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for responding.

I was thinking it might not have sounded like a very interesting topic. But if it helps my symptoms, that's what counts.

So Garden, I'm a little confused. I guess you're talking about salt solutions for cleaning, and not for soaking in?

The cleaning salts don't stay in the water, do they?

$100 is a lot to add to an electric bill. Achievinggrace; just curious: where do you live? You can just tell me the state, if you prefer.

Thx. so much, both of you.

That info. might help me in making a decision, bc I am now narrowing down my choice to two houses.

Margaret
Posted 4/12/2014 9:12 PM (GMT 0)
Pennsylvania, it was super cold here. By the time it occurred to us to drain the tub and put in antifreeze instead of running it through the cold weather, there was a four foot wall of snow around it! As I said that was the most it has ever cost us to run.
Posted 4/12/2014 11:35 PM (GMT 0)
You put a certain amount of salt, some labeled as pool salt, some put softener salt in. So that will dissolve and as the salt water circulates through the cell it will separate the sodium and chloride and the chloride will got after bacteria and when there's none left, it will return to sodium chloride and the water will always be salty, but not as much as your detox baths probably. You should ask on a pool and spa forum. I did come across so mineral salt for hot tubs, but I don't know anything about them, so you could google that too and see what it said about them. Sorry I'm not much help, but at least I gave you a couple of things to think about. Do you have any pool supply stores in your area? They might have suggestions too.
Posted 4/12/2014 11:53 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Garden,

Do you mind giving me brand names for the first salts you mentioned?

I'll Google the mineral salts as well.

I guess either I'll insulate it in the winter, or not run it as much.

We get cold winters in the mountains.

I'm not even sure I'm buying the cabin, but that's one of the reasons I'm doing research.

It would be great if the hot tub contributed to my healing!

If that's an important factor, it might influence me to move there.

The other house might give me better access to a social life, bc it's closer to the towns.

Well, I have a hard time making decisions, and don't even know if the bank will approve a mortgage before I sell my other house.

Margaret
Posted 4/13/2014 2:09 AM (GMT 0)
I'm sorry, I don't have any brand names. I get the softener salts at Lowes or Home Depot and I get the pool salts at the pool store. I got the chlorinater machine through a Splash Pool dealer. If you decide to do that type of sanitation, you'd need to decide on a machine and I'd suggest you just read up on them before you decide. There is some maintenance involved with them. A pool store might be your best source for learning about the different types of sanitizers. The next would be a pool and spa forum. I think gardenweb.com has one.
Posted 4/13/2014 4:20 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Garden,

That's really good information. I might try the forum. I can't believe there is a forum for pools and spas! It almost sounds frivolous, doesn't it?

I might try the hot tub store, and then the forum.

Margaret
Posted 4/13/2014 2:52 PM (GMT 0)
You're welcome. I just want you to be informed about the salt system before you decided to buy the house based on that. We've had a couple of them quit working, one because of too much of something in the water from some of the pool products. I can't recall what it was right now. I was woke up by the new neighbor's tractor...again!

Now I remember. It was too much phosphate from some of the pool products that ruined the system, so now I have to buy phosphate free products.
Posted 4/13/2014 7:16 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Garden,

I think I'll just buy a natural (salt?) blend that's premixed, and that works for hot tubs.

Thanks, Margaret
Posted 4/13/2014 10:11 PM (GMT 0)
The neighbor's tractor? Use your ear plugs. I get stuck behind those in my car.

Margaret
Posted 4/14/2014 1:11 AM (GMT 0)
I don't think earplugs would cut out the backup beeper. Those things are so loud. I lost about 2 hours of sleep.

You found some sea salt for hot tubs that you just dump in? That doesn't seem right, but I've never owned a hot tub, just the pool.
Posted 4/14/2014 1:17 AM (GMT 0)
Hey Garden,

No, I'm talking about a certain type of salts used to clean the hot tub (as opposed to the usual chemicals). I read that you could use a kind of salt to clean your hot tub.

What time does the tractor roll into action?

Margaret
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