| Overall Rating: |
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4
out of 5
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A very good deal!,
10/28/2008
I purchased this spa-in-a-box a month ago after reviewing many portable spas online. I went with Spa-In-A-Box over Softub and others due to the size and mini jets thru-out the tub.
After taking the spa out of the 2 boxes, I had my doubts about the product. But after setting up the spa my doubts began to fade. I set the spa up in about 40 minutes (the directions said 20 minutes, which is true after getting familiar with the tub) because I wanted to get the tub set up correctly. I was easy to set up and be sure you get all the wrinkles out of the liner bottom before filling.
As for using the spa, it took about 20 hours to get the heat up to 102 degrees after filling with a garden hose. I bought Spa Chlor and non-chlorine shocker after it was full. Do NOT use chlorine (it will ruin and fade your liner) and do not use Bromine. Bromine is bad for your lungs and will dry out your skin and make you itch. I used it at 103 degrees and just loved it! The water comes past your shoulders when sitting and the jets do go around the whole tub, unlike ither portable spas. You do have to sit on the floor, but it is padded and comfortable. I am going to buy plastic ottomans that are made for cheap dorm room furniture, fill them up with water and use them as seats. You can fit 4 adults comfortably and squeeze 6 in if you wanted.
The walls are made of wood with styrofoam on both sides. I was skeptical about this, wondering if it would hold the weight of people in it. It does do the job as I had 3 friends sitting on the edge of the tub at once, I just made sure they were sitting on the corner posts which are metal.
I have read reports that the heater does not keep up or burns out and the owner has to sent it back in for repairs. I would have to say that this could be true for people up north where they run it all the time to keep it warm in cold weather. What I do is unplug the unit when I am done using it at night to give it a rest. Then when I wake up the next day, I plug it in again and it is back up to 103 degress 8 hours later when I want to use it again. This will save the motor for a long time and not burn it out.
It is true that when the blower for the jets are on, it blows colder air into the tub, but it is hardly noticeable. If I get in the tub at 103 degress, it will drop to about 96 in an hour or so. I think after an hour in the hot tub is sufficent, so it ends in a nice warm bath.
For under $800, I HIGHLY recommend getting the Spa-In-A-Box. Just give nthe motor a break at least once a day and don't run it 24/7. It will work in nicer climates and wouldn't recommend it for up North like N.Y. or Chicago winters. I definetly give it a thumbs up!
| Value: |
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5
out of 5
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| Meets Expectations: |
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4
out of 5
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22 of 22 people found this review helpful.