What does the Therapy Air button do?

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Press the Therapy Air button to turn Therapy Air on (on models so equipped). A second press will turn Therapy Air off. If Therapy Air is left on, it will automatically shut off 20 minutes after it has been started. The Therapy Air ON triangle icon will appear solid on the display when Therapy Air is on.

What is the safest way to remove snow from my hot tub cover?

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The cover of an Arctic Spa is tough and durable marine grade vinyl, but even so, we don't recommend using a snow shovel with a metal edge. Any of the following should be fine: 
  • An ordinary push-broom (preferably a clean one with no mud or pebbles embedded in the bristles from sweeping the driveway)
  • A plastic snow shovel. Some owners report that a child's light plastic shovel works well
  • A rubber squeegee designed for windows or shop floors - or a specialty product such as the One Sweep
  • Many of the snow-removal products recommended for autos work fine for your hot tub cover. Some dealers may carry a product such as the Sno-Brum or the snow rake designed for this purpose.
Probably the most convenient way to keep snow off your hot tub is to cover it with a beautiful Arctic Gazebo as shown here or in our photo album.

Notes: 
  1. Arctic Spas neither endorses nor recommends the products mentioned. These products are listed for information only.
  2. Damage from snow removal, using these or any other methods, is considered normal wear and tear and is not covered under warranty.

What should I look for in a spa?

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Always look for quality. You can find (or not find ) quality in every area of a spa. Here is a checklist: 
  • Does it have a full floor? If yes, is it pressure treated wood, fibreglass or a thin plastic sheet?
  • How thick is the cabinet? Some are very thin!
  • How is the spa insulated? Most spas on the market are what's commonly called foam filled, meaning the spa cabinet to the underside of the shell is filled with foam insulation. The density of the foam may vary but they all operate on the same principle. The problem with this design, we feel, is the fact that there is no access to any of the plumbing under the shell, not to mention leaving all your expensive equipment to the mercy of Mother Nature. You see, with your pumps, heaters etc. on the wrong side of the insulation, they will not be protected during a power outage or extreme temperatures. We all know that heat travels upwards so why is it so important to have so much insulation down below? We know, most manufacturers are using the foam to support flimsy spa shells. What we do at Arctic Spas, is insulate our floor and walls with a high density foam insulation and do not foam our spa shell. This allows us to utilize the heat generated naturally by the motors to help heat your spa water. We also have access to everything underneath the "hood". Would you buy a new vehicle if the hood was welded shut? The most vital place to have insulation in your home is in the walls and the attic. Not in the basement, correct? So, let's make sure we put a nice thick quality spa cover on top!! We'll get to that later. Ask yourself how many spas you plan on purchasing over the next 20-25 years. Is your answer, one? So let's make sure we can access the plumbing for future problems 10-20 years from now or, more importantly for future upgrades when the new "gotta have it" spa technology comes out. Common sense.
  • What are the capabilities of the jets? Do they turn on and off individually? Do they adjust and can you remove them for service?
  • Is the filter easy to remove for cleaning? Is the filter cartridge a readily available universal style? Some manufacturers have created a monopoly on their cartridges as you can only purchase their filters at their price.
  • How are the pillows secured? Suction cups tend to tear out. Some are actually screwed into your shell making it tough to get behind for cleaning.
  • What type of covers are there? Remember that heat rises and the most important place to insulate your home, as well as a spa, is on top. Most manufacturers offer a standard 3" flat cover or a 4"x 2" tapered top. At Arctic Spas we offer the thickest most durable cover in the industry. Our covers are a 5"x 4" tapered cover. They come with a 3 year warranty. A cover will not last as long as the spas so make sure that you purchase a cover that's going to withstand snow loads, heavy pets, children and repels moisture. Covers cost between $300.00 - $900.00 so make a wise decision. How many times do you want to replace a cover?
  • What's the warranty? Be very careful here! Many manufacturers warranties are very creatively written using fine print to their advantage. Most warranties are pro-rated, use deductibles or have a standard flat fee before charging you for parts and labor. Always ask for copies of the fine print warranties before signing a deal and study them carefully.

What kind of stain should I use on my cedar cabinet?

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When purchasing Stain in your area for Cedar Products please follow these guidelines for color matching. 
Max Natural Tone Cedar Stain (Available at all Distributors) 
  • Canada - Olympic Part #57503C
  • USA - Olympic Part #57503A
Olympic DFS (Deck, Fence, Siding) Latex Base for Pewter Stain 
  • Canada - Olympic Latex Base Part #79602 (Ask for Pewter tint - Available at all Distributors)
  • America - Olympic Latex Base Part #79602 (Ask for Pewter tint - Can only be purchased at Lowes)
Pewter tint must be added to this Latex Base Part #79602 only, to get proper color match.

When I reduce the water temperature, why does the filtration stop?

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Sometimes people lower the water temperature set point dramatically, usually to cool the water in the summer. The next thing they know, they are struggling to maintain water purity, and they think something is wrong because their spa no longer filters. 

Here's what's going on. The filter cycle is programmed to prevent overheating. Remember, an Arctic or Coyote spa is so thermally efficient that the heat from the motors running the filter cycle will warm up the water. In order to keep the water from getting hotter and hotter, the filter cycle is suspended until the water temperature falls below the setpoint. 

So if you drop the set temperature by a large amount, this has the side-effect of turning off the filtration for a long time, until the water temperature drops below the setpoint again. In warm weather, this might take several days. 

Hot weather, hot water, suspended filtration -- not a good thing! That's why we recommend a gradual cooling, to ensure proper filtration during the process. For further information on summer cooling, search the FAQ for one of those terms. 

This information first appeared in the Summer 2007 of Arctic Splash, our magazine for Arctic customers. To subscribe, go to "Newsletter Sign-Up" in the Quick Links menu in the top right corner.

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