Hot Tub Forum
Original => Hot Tub Forum => Topic started by: AAAAAAA on June 10, 2005, 10:27:38 am
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Well I found this site a bit late.
When I went shoping I had sundance,vita,catalini, and jaccuzi to choose from.
I was able to get a sweet deal on a vita but the GF fell in love with the sundance optima. The vita looked way to cheep in her eyes, even though thats the one I wanted (I like deals) hehe.
We eventually met half way and we got the sundance maxxus.
We didnt wet test it but it looked thebest and seemed like the coolest out of all the spas we saw.
2 weeks before it arrives. and I cant waite (obviously).
Never felt a spa of this caliber..just hotel spas that was basically a bench with a jet every noe an again..and I loved those.
The place where I baught my spa said I could use dust as my base, I will let you guys know how that goes since I got my truck load of dust yesterday, all I need is to make the base contour out of 2x6 and get a compactor device... seems easy enough.
BTW, love this forum.
Later
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Well I found this site a bit late.
When I went shoping I had sundance,vita,catalini, and jaccuzi to choose from.
I was able to get a sweet deal on a vita but the GF fell in love with the sundance optima. The vita looked way to cheep in her eyes, even though thats the one I wanted (I like deals) hehe.
We eventually met half way and we got the sundance maxxus.
We didnt wet test it but it looked thebest and seemed like the coolest out of all the spas we saw.
2 weeks before it arrives. and I cant waite (obviously).
Never felt a spa of this caliber..just hotel spas that was basically a bench with a jet every noe an again..and I loved those.
The place where I baught my spa said I could use dust as my base, I will let you guys know how that goes since I got my truck load of dust yesterday, all I need is to make the base contour out of 2x6 and get a compactor device... seems easy enough.
BTW, love this forum.
Later
Are you saying that you are basically using dirt as your base? If that is the case, your dealer is an idiot. You should be putting that spa on either a wooden deck or a concrete slab. It is too large of a spa to put on dirt.
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Compacted dust is more like very small rocks.
I am suppose to put a few inches and compact..and repeat till I have the 6inch or dust required.
My yard is pretty much just heavilly compacted clay, I am supose to take 2x6 of wood and fill that up with 6 inches of dust.
No one else has ever done this?
I aldready have about 15 yards of dust in my miniscule yard.
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Wow, I've never heard about installing a tub on dust? The Maxus is a heavy monster. I'm sure more will chime in...
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I could only find the 2004 pre-delivery guide on Sundance's website, but on page 5 it clearly recommends either a concrete slab or a wooden deck. I am positive it did not change from last year. I would not put that spa on some dust.
Go to this website for the 2004 pre-delivery instructions.
http://sundancespas.com/Communications/InstructionManuals/04PreDel.pdf
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Here is a site:
http://www.spadepot.com/spacyclopedia/setup.htm
Perhaps I didnt have the correct term? thats what they use here in quebec. I beleive it is crushed stones I have (or gravel).
In the link above it says:
Gravel is sometimes used. Pea gravel is simple to level by using a straight 2 x 4 and carpenter's level to check. Crushed rock is another choice. A disadvantage of gravel is the messy appearance, and weed control issues.
Perhaps I could combine both the gravel or crushed rock along with Concrete Stepping Stones? It would look nicer and maybe serve as a better base?
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AAAAAAA,
There is one major reason why you shouldn’t use pea gravel or dust. Your spa manufacturer does not recommend it.
When you buy one of the biggest spas out there you better have a strong foundation and pea gravel doesn’t do that. If you cover it up with some pavers I may be a little more receptive, but I would still invest in some concrete.
No need to take my advice.
Chris
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Not good.....
I already have the stupid gravel hehe..its everywhere!
Thing is though, I dont want concrete, I am selling the house within a few years..want to be able to get ride of the spa base easily.
Perhaps if I use it in conjunction with those spa pads?
Thoughts
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I'm not going to comment on the slab/stone question, but just suggest if you go with the gravel, perhaps putting a weedblock tarp under the stones to help prevent any weeds growing up through the stones.
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I've heard of people criss crossing some railroad ties in the base and surrounding by the crushed stone or large pebbles.
So it's like a square of ties, with a tic tac toe board in the middle.... stones in and around everything.
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Round here there is a product called Granite dust, which is the finest (as in smallest) grade of crushed granite available from the stone yards. It makes an excellent base for pavers, but by itself, would be washed away with constant direct rain contact.
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I have never heard the term "dust", but I now understand it to be pea gravel.
When we deliver a spa it is on a set of wheels. What do you think is going to happen when the wheels go onto the base (pea gravel) for placement. Certainly, you do not expect the delivery crew to lift it off and move it over the base and set it down do you? ::)
Railroad ties or 4x4's in a grid criss cross filled in with pea gravel, well maybe. :-/
If you were my customer and I got there to find a pile of peagravel, I would be leaving it next to the base on the grass and charging you to return. But, If they said so, well I guess they know what they are doing.
BTW, you can not "compress" pea gravel. It's rounded nature will not "lock" together to form a compacted base. Slag, crushed stone maybe, but you certainly don't want any sharp or jagged points pressing into the bottom of the spa.
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Defenetly not feeling good about this anymore...
this is supose to be fun .
I beleive it is the finnest crushed stone you can get. And yes they are the ones who told me to do that.
Oh what to do!
And what to do with the 10 tons of crushed stone if I dont use it.
Oh my!
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I will get pictures of this mysterie rock tonight.
Also, they said that once compacted with a compacting machine it is almost as good as rock.
They also said to do many layers to get to the 6 inch marc and each time adding a bit of water.
The anti-weed cover is a good idea. Will make sure to get that.
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This is what I understand "Stone Dust" to be:
http://www.a1topsoil.com/soil.htm
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This is what I understand "Stone Dust" to be:
http://www.a1topsoil.com/soil.htm
Yep thats it!
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Well, I guess I will coment on the stone dust then...
Here in N.E Stond dust is used quite a bite for footings, under foundations and such. The pulverized stone compacts very nicely. Given an adequate depth and compacted corectly this should be fine for under the tub. But I would be concerned about the edges around the tub, the dust exposed to the wind and rain. Would it wash away and eventually errode your foundation bed under the tub?
Hopefully there's some contractors in here that could answer?
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And since i am completely unmotivated to work today here's a pic/link to a foundation from gravel and ties. FWIW
http://www.nespas.com/spas-10.html
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Yep thats it!
Looks to me like your'e half way there to a nice paver patio. ;D
If you have to rent or contract out a "jumping jack" tamper to compress the stone dust, then getting some pavers added on top of and tamped down is not much more of a big deal.
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As long as you have a framework or border of pressure treated wood 4x4 or 6x6 that is not to be removed. The stone dust base should be ok w/a little water that stone dust packs as hard as concrete.
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Not good.....
I already have the stupid gravel hehe..its everywhere!
Thing is though, I dont want concrete, I am selling the house within a few years..want to be able to get ride of the spa base easily.
Perhaps if I use it in conjunction with those spa pads?
Thoughts
You’re going to sell in a few years? I have been in my house only three years and it seems like forever.
I actually plan on selling my house in a year or so but was no longer willing to put off getting a hot tub.
I poured a 16x20 slab. I figured the new owners might like a pre-plumed hot tub area and if not it wont be that big of deal to bust it up for the. I figured it won’t stop someone from buying my house.
Either way enjoy the spa!
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Bonjour mr. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
DO we need to write in Francais, I can if you will understand. You live in Quebec. Your frost goes down over 6 feet (2 Meters). You bought a nice tub. Go yell at your sales guy then have him pick up your dust. You need to start with a 0 to 3/4 gravel base I would recommend about 6 to 8 inches for your location. Shovel on 1 to two inches at a time, water down and compact with a plate vibrating compacter. Make this a few inches larger than you cement pad will be. Get some cheap 2 X 6 lumber and make a fram for the cement pad - on yop of the stone that you just compacted. You will need to re-enforce the slabe with steel mesh. Call in a cement truck unless you want really sore arms. Make a set of cement shoes for your sales rep. with the left over cement. Let the cement cure for a minimum of 7 days before you put the tub on it. The screenings (dust) you bought is not good for the foundation under the pad. This is the fines in the 0 to 3/4 gravel but is not good enough alone. If you choose not to take this good advice then get the owner of the outfit you bought this from to give you directions on the install in writing.
They gave you BAD ADVICE!!!
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I agree with johnvb.....you have a good base for pavers if you don't want to waste the "dust" use it for your base of pavers. Pick an interlocking pattern and pay for the thicker pavers I believe they are 8cm regular one are 6cm and if I remember correctly they are rated for 10,000 lbs. Oh yeh get smoother ones they will be easier to move the spa on. We are getting pavers put on our driveway and patio next week and can ask them for more information on what you need to do if you would like. They offered ( at a cost of course) to install pavers where my spa will go but I decided to go with concrete since no one will see it when the spa is in place. best of luck and keep us informed on your progress.
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I will get pictures of this mysterie rock tonight.
Also, they said that once compacted with a compacting machine it is almost as good as rock.
They also said to do many layers to get to the 6 inch marc and each time adding a bit of water.
The anti-weed cover is a good idea. Will make sure to get that.
Class 2 limestone is what I used under my spa, sounds like the same stuff AAA is talking about, moistened and compacted it is just like concrete with the ability to drain water through it. This is the stuff they put under freeways. Park a bulldozer on a freeway once see if it sinks. But I built a treated wood platform that sits on the limestone.
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Great stuff here guys. I didnt realise this forum was so active.
My plan right now is to keep the whatever you call it and use that... Seems like a few people here agree with what i was told aout the dust, that with water, it compacts as hard as concrete and is pretty easy to set up.
Ad yes I will be moving within a max of 5 years. My curent house cannot allow for children, and I couldnt wait for the hot tub either hehe.
Dont have the money to have guys here to come and pave my spa foundation.. I would have to have my driveway done as well and all my curent money is going to install central AC.. I cant stand the heat.
Perhaps instead of going with 2x6 treated wood, I will go with thicker and have a few go through the middle like one person posted a link to... may make it stronger?
And yes I am french, but we can all keep the english going, thats fine by me.
And thanks a lot for the kind words and advice.
Lee
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UPDATE:
I took some of the advice here, I kept the dust but instead of going with 6 inches of compacted dust as the dealer had told me, I doug a 10 inch hole and will end up with a total of around 16inches of compacted dust.
Hopefully this will do.
Only a week or 2 to go!
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AAAAAAA where are you from in Québec?
Congrats on your purchase. the Maxxus is a beautie. Félicitation mon amie!
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Its funny that you congradulate me, after I purchased it, everyone at the dealer was congradulating me on the purchase... kinda like I won a prize or an acheivement of exellence... nope, I purchased an item, that is all hehe.
funny stuff.
Je suis de gatineau dans le secteur Hull. C'est a 10 minutes du centre ville d'Ottawa.
Ca bien l'air comme si je ne suis pas le seul francophone ici hehe. C'est bien!