I have a large tub. By all means it SHOULD be a spa. It looks like one, but it has no jets/etc. I want to know if it's possible to build your own spa?? By all means, it would seem easy enough. Drill some holes, and install the jets. What I don't know is what all I'd need, and if it would even be worth it. Has anyone ever done this?? I can post pics of my tub if needed.

Thanks!!

http://www.wcc.net/~jkmccoy/hottub/hottub.htm

Gary101....

Good information, but I do have a few things I would like to elaborate on.

I see you used purple primer (and probably standard PVC cement) on the flexable fittings... You should have used cleaner/primer and flexable PVC cement on these fittings. The other stuff you used will work...for a while.

Regarding long sweep PVC fittings. They are schedule 40, and all fittings should be schedule 80. This is because schedule 80 uses twice the surface area for cementing, creating a stronger bond. The key is to keep the elbows to a minimum, and you won't have much added head pressure. For those who are concerned about that, use 2 45's to make a 90, and you have just created a long sweep 90, but with sch80 PVC. Again, what you used will work... for a while.

Your mechanical switches made me cringe! Even though it is GFI protected, it could still pose a shock hazard. Why? Read through the GFI problem forum on here, you will read about many that have failed and do not protect the circuit. I think you really should invest in a couple air-switches and subsequent air buttons for your control. These are relativly cheap, easy to install, and there is, in fact, a perfect schematic that will incorporate the switch, a timer, a couple relays, etc, all in a box so you can have yourself a real hot tub control system!

What I would suggest for the cover, for a DIY cover that is, is use extruded polystyrene foam, 1.5", spray adhesive a couple sheets together to get your 3", and then you can go as cheap or elaborate as you wish for a cover for the foam. You could spray adhesive some tarp material to it to keep the sun away, you could make a nice vinyl cover to slip over, even wood. The choice is yours.

If you haven't already installed valves to the system to help control flow, I would highly suggest 3-way diverter valves over gate and ball valves. This way you will always have flow and not have to worry about backing up the pump accidentally. Gate valves are good, quick on/off, but they will almost always end up leaking at some point. Ball valves last a lot longer, but can take a little more effort to open/close. I would install these types of valves only before and after the equipment, for servicing reasons.

Here's a hint about stock tanks... go to farm auctions! You can usually pick up a used one cheap, if you don't mind cleaning it up. Another source for tub shell ideas is garden tubs... soaking tubs that are big enough to be a hot tub, but no jets.

Good luck, and enjoy!

I guess I should have stated that is was not my tub or do I even know the person. I simply found the site surfing the net one day.

Personally for the cost of building and operating cost once your done, I do not think something like this is a good idea.

Trust me I know better (I teach this stuff)

Howdy,

I AM the person who built the hot tub and posted the website that was linked above. I've noticed that occasionally someone visits my web site through this link.

I do want to thank the professionals who provided their opinions on my home-made hot tub project. Without their expert advice I would not have understood my mistakes. Obviously I have created a death trap that is expensive to run and probably doesn't work very well.

Without this expert advice I would have thought that I had a good time planning and executing a project that resulted in a functioning hot tub for much less (MUCH LESS!) money than a commercial tub. If these experts hadn't pointed out how wrong I was, I would have thought that my family and I had enjoyed the tub for almost two years now.

Obviously it must be leaking since I used the wrong cement. Obviously it must be dangerous since I didn't use an air switch.

Funny...I don't add water very often. I haven't had to call the ambulance very often for people who have been electrocuted (just a joke...no-one has been electrocuted). The GFCI still works. I must be mistaken since the experts don't agree. My kids played in the tub this afternoon and it sure looked like they had a good time. My wife and I were in the tub a couple of nights ago and I know we had a good time.

Cheers,
Kelly McCoy
San Angelo, TX

p.s. I have started and stopped a lot of electric motors with mechanical contactors and haven't been electrocuted yet. I suspect that lots of other people have done the same. It might be possible to reach out of the tub and flip one of the switches. A tall person with long arms can do it. I don't have any problems with barring morons from using my hot tub.

How do...

It's been so long since I read that site, but the reason for the expense of operation would come from heat loss due to the lack of insulation. This may not be that much of an issue if you are located in a southern climate. Up here in the frozen wasteland, you would have a very hard time keeping the heat in with that configuration.

Regarding the mechanical switches, air switches don't cost that much, and provide a difinitive line of defense regarding electrocution hazards. It's merely a safety standpoint, and while your situation does work, it's not the best it can be. For a few bucks more you will add a much greater degree of safety. Is a 50 worth taking the risk?

Regarding the solvent weld cement and various fittings, there is a *better* way of doing things, although yours will work in the time being. The reasons for the sch 80 fittings vs. the sch 40 is that there simply is more surface area to adhear to. The flex pvc cement on flex hoses flexes with the pipe, vs. standard cement which hardens. Just added degrees of bonding is all...

Over all it is a neat idea, and with a few improvements, you have yourself a definent show-stopper for the price. Don't get us wrong, the backyard genius is what keeps ppl moving!