How a sand filter works, what every multiport valve position does, when and how to backwash, how often to change the sand, and whether glass or zeolite media are worth the upgrade.
Support & Maintenance
How to Read a Spa Pack Wiring Diagram (Setup Numbers, DIP Switches and Pin-Outs)
10
Apr
Apr
The wiring diagram inside your spa pack’s lid answers almost every setup question, once you know how to read it. Here’s a section-by-section guide.
Design / Ideas Related
Can I Heat a Hot Tub with Solar Power? Panels, Batteries and Heat Pumps Compared
29
Mar
Mar
Three ways to heat a hot tub with the sun, what each really costs, why a battery running the heater falls short, and why solar panels plus an air source heat pump is the setup I’d choose.
22
Mar
Mar
Blaise is building a pool and hot tub in Cameroon using my off-the-shelf plans and a parts package exported from me. Here’s how it’s going.
01
Mar
Mar
Swapping a topside is easy. Buying the right one isn’t. Here’s how to match a Balboa panel to your spa pack, from BP and spaTouch to the VL suffix rules on VS and GS packs.
15
Feb
Feb
Mould, sap, rust or chalky patches on your hot tub cover? Here’s how to clean each one off without harming the vinyl, what never to use, and when a cover is past saving.
09
Feb
Feb
Roger built a simple, effective above-ground dipping pool in the Dominican Republic from one of my plans. Here’s the build and the lessons he learned.
02
Feb
Feb
Forget gladiatorial combat, the real clash of titans happens poolside in the silent struggle between sand and cartridge filters. As summer’s vibrant curtain closes, you, the valiant pool warrior, stand poised at the precipice of a crucial decision: which filter will reign supreme in your watery domain? Fear not, for this epic tale delves beyond the surface, unveiling the hidden truths most blogs dare not reveal, to guide you towards your crystal-clear destiny.
26
Jan
Jan
Adam built a custom in-ground hot tub with ICF blocks behind his new home. Follow the build from the dig through waterproofing, testing and tiling.
17
Jan
Jan
Avoid Airlocks and Get Your Hot Tub Up and Running Quickly
Filling your hot tub with water may seem like a simple task, but if you do it wrong, you could end up with frustrating airlocks that prevent your jets from working properly. In this blog post, we’ll share the correct way to fill your hot tub, whether it’s a plastic shell tub or a DIY hot tub you’ve built yourself.