Hot Tub Forum
Original => Hot Tub Forum => Topic started by: wesj53 on November 27, 2006, 08:49:18 pm
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Ok, the mental midget of high technology finally took the time (thanks to tileman for his great, detailed, easy to follow instructions) to post my backyard Tundra setup (for any one interested). It's quite modest compared to some of the decks and backyard layouts I have seen over the past month or so, but I tried to make the best out of what I had to work with. My patio was too small to accomodate a large 8' tub and my house does not lend itself to adding a deck. I also did not want to obstruct any part of the view of our very wooded back yard so I positioned the spa between my kitchen and dining room windows. I have interior shots of the spa as well for any of you that may be interested in the interior layout of the Tundra (dry). Let me know if you would like me to "import" those shots as well.
(http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r20/wesj53/th_Spa7.jpg) (http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r20/wesj53/Spa7.jpg)
(http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r20/wesj53/th_Spa5.jpg) (http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r20/wesj53/Spa5.jpg)
(http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r20/wesj53/th_Spa6.jpg) (http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r20/wesj53/Spa6.jpg)
(http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r20/wesj53/th_Spa2.jpg) (http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r20/wesj53/Spa2.jpg)
(http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r20/wesj53/th_Spa1.jpg) (http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r20/wesj53/Spa1.jpg)
Sorry, these photos were supposed to be in reverse order (from the start of my project to end) but things got mixed up (my first ever photo posting, pls excuse me). Small bushes will be planted on either side of the spa and grass will be planted in my new stone pathway next spring to finish the project.
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The tub looks great. The wood sets it off. But the two in front... I'm sorry but they're dogs. I wouldn't vote for either one.
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Your spa looks SHARP!!! 8-)
It looks just like it was meant for that space between your windows--perfect fit!
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But the two in front... I'm sorry but they're dogs. I wouldn't vote for either one.
Good one Galen ;D ;D
I vote for the one on the right, I think bassett hounds are cool. Please tell me you named it Rosebud after the one in the Bloom County cartoon strip ;D ;D Wes it looks like a great set up to me
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Great pics Wes!
I'm happy my posting instructions worked out for you.
Great job on the pathway. Was that a DYI project?
Seeing real wood cabinetry on yours and Anne's Artics makes me jealous. When I first started shopping for my tub awhile back I said to myself there's no way I want real wood that close to such a high moisture area. But know seeing how beautiful they look makes it worth the extra maintenance. :)
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It looks very nice! The pics are a bit small, so I cannot see how you did the gravel. Is it just packed into the ground, or is there a pressure treated wood box around it? Looks like that spot was made for a tub.
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It looks very nice! The pics are a bit small, so I cannot see how you did the gravel.
Anne the pics are clickable. Just click one and it will appear in full screen. :)
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I did that, but I think the photos were reduced before being imported to the thread, so they are still small. I'll try again.........ok. I was right clicking to "view image" not just double clicking of the pic. All good now.
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Is that a bark collar on that little dog who appears to be a basset-beagle? ;)
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I did that, but I think the photos were reduced before being imported to the thread, so they are still small. I'll try again.........ok. I was right clicking to "view image" not just double clicking of the pic. All good now.
Where's my thank you? :'(
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Is that a bark collar on that little dog who appears to be a basset-beagle? ;)
It looks to me like one of those invisible fence shocking mecanisms.
My neighbors dog has one of those b/c it kept running after kids. The dog owner is seldomly home and used to keep the dog outside when away with no leash or anything. One day it almost got a little girl on her bike until I came to the rescue and put the critter in it's place. >:( I called the cops after that and got her in all kinds of trouble. :)
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I did that, but I think the photos were reduced before being imported to the thread, so they are still small. I'll try again.........ok. I was right clicking to "view image" not just double clicking of the pic. All good now.
Where's my thank you? :'(
Thank you!!!! ;) ::)
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Tileman, were you an only child? ;D
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Tileman, were you an only child? ;D
No I have 2 older brothers. :P
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hmmmm how much older? 8-)
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Very nice setup, looks like that particular area was just waiting for a hot tub. Looks great. When are you planing on using it for the first time?
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Tileman, were you an only child? ;D
Good job wes...get something down so your feet stay clean!!
Anne his brothers beat him up and locked him in the closet!!
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wes that looks really sharp. No one can argue that arctic makes a product appealing to the eye. I agree, you could not have placed that tub in a better spot. You have a beautiful home by the looks of it as well.
Very nice, and good to be able to finally see the pictures.
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hmmmm how much older? 8-)
We're 24, 26, and 27.
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Anne his brothers beat him up and locked him in the closet!!
They never locked me in a closet but they sure did do alot of beatin', but that's what big bro's are suppose to do. It's funny though b/c tables turned when I hit puberty. I was not only holding my own but was actually winning some of the fights. Now of course I win them all. I'm 6'1'' 190 lbs, they're 5'8'' 135 lbs and 5'10.5'' 170. I use to weigh 160-165 but got tired of being so thin and not that strong. I've put on 25-30 lbs of muscle in 2.5 years and I'm twice as strong. They don't mess with me too much anymore. :)
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Wes - it looks great!! I agree with everyone else - that's the perfect spot for it! Your house looks really nice too!! Congrats and thanks for posting the pics!
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Wes,
It looks great there between the windows. One question I have is how far do you have to walk outside to get in the tub? It's hard to judge the distance in the picture. I have discovered that the farther you have to walk outside to get in the tub, the less you seem to use it.
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Thanks to all for your nice compliments about the spa, the setup, and our home. While I wish I had a larger patio or deck to "connect" with, this layout seems to work. It is about a 20' walk from our patio door (located on the left of the widest angled shot) so it is merely a few steps to get from house to spa. That short distance will not discourage us from using it even in the dead of winter. (Christmas is coming and so are heavy terrycloth robes.)
Secondly, Tman, our feet don't get dirty since we wear flip flops out to the tub and stay on the stone path which I installed one weekend after the spa was delivered. Since we have a 3 step staircase, you can take your sandals off while standing on it and immediately enter the water. As you can see, the stone base is completely covered with a thin layer of topsoil which will then be covered by mulch and accented by a couple of ornamental shrubs which I will plant in the spring.
The black and white dog is wearing an "invisible fence" collar which as someone mentioned, keeps the dogs in our backyard without the need for an actual fence. Our neighborhood is mainly unfenced (except for those homes with in-ground pools) with huge 100 year old oak trees (thus our subdivision name Oak Creek) so adding a fence would have destroyed the ambience. Both the dogs are hounds so their noses would take them anywhere at any time so this system is a must. The smaller black and white one is half beagle, half rat terrier and the fat brown and white one is half beagle, half basset hound (a bagel)! They are both good pets and love each other.
And yes, we have used the Tundra for about 2 weeks now. It is an interesting configuration and IMHO the most unique layout of any in the market. I have found more positions to sit in it than an adult movie! I recognize it's not for all people and certainly it is not a low end priced product. We really enjoy the variety of seating, especially the armrests available for each occupant. The four corners are all slightly reclined, all very comfortable, at various heights and each have different feels. I was slightly concerned after buying the unit that the other 3 wall seats were too shallow for cold weather use, but my fears have been put aside as there is only one of the three that is truly too shallow in temps of less than 40. (it is what I call a summer seat since the water only comes up to about your waist.) Plus, the other 2 wall seats have dual vertical jets at different levels which massage your spine for lower back aches. It has jets for every other part of the body as well including 4 for hips, 2 for thighs, 2 for calves, and 7 for feet. The Orca (volcano) is mounted on the side under the filter compartment, not in the middle of the bottom of the spa as is normally the case. It is also directional and due to the layout of the spa, allows a person who needs aggressive therapy to sit in front of it (but not at full force since the blast could cause injury, no kidding), sit directly above it on the curved lip of the filter compartment to massage a thigh (in case of hamstring injuries) or a calf. It is probably the most powerful jet in the market. When directed upward, the flow of the water (beginning below water line of course) propels 8' across the tub and almost cascades out! It is amazing.
I have found some jets not to be powerful enough for my liking like the ones for the thigh, calves, and hips so the dealer is freely exchanging a few 3" rotationals with directionals which are much more forceful. The spa also (depending on individual taste) required some adjustment of the top level jets if you want a neck or shoulder massage but that was simple. The water maintenance has been a breeze. After every soak, I add in a cap per person of a product Arctic sells called Refresh and then twice a week I add in a little Boost which is a chlorine product. Our water has been crystal clear, the Peak Ozone system seems to be doing a great job, and I never smell chlorine in the water. So all in all, we have been more than pleased with the unit thus far, but as I think we all agree (except for maybe paint) the true test of a quality of a hot tub is the test of time. I will continue to report on this unit, as there are still a lot of Arctic "doubting Thomases" among us. But that is fine, as companies all have to earn their stripes as a long term, reliable vendor of product.
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Congrats on the hot tub, pics look great. I think its a great feature on the tub that you can trade jets with your dealer, to ones you like.
The wood cabinet looks great too. Enjoy!
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Wes, the tub looks great! It's a perfect setting. Glad you and the family are enjoying the Tundra. Happy Tubbing!
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I have a Beagle myself, so I know what you mean when you say their noses will take them anywhere anytime..
I also have an invisible fence (although not that brand). The invisible fence is the best money I've ever spent. I have mine wired underground over 1 acre. My little beagle couldn't be happier. Very happy with my underground electric dog fence.
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Wes, thats a great set up! It really looks nice.
What's that pointy metal thing on your roof?
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Ha! I love your sense of humor drew. At first I asked myself, what is he talking about? Then I checked my pics and started laughing. Yeh, for all you youngins, that thar thing is called an antenna! It was a device used back in the olden days to bring tv signals into your cabin.
Actually, we are on cable here in the western burbs although one tv is still operated so we keep the thing up there. Nice decoration, don't you think? It gives us a sense of uniqueness!!!!
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We were poor. We didn't have dem fancy smancy antenneas on da roof.
We had to wrap the rabbit ears with tin foil and then hold them in crazy positions while tuning the UHF button as if you were cracking a safe. Ahhhhh. Good times. ;)
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do you get many channels with that????
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When we were kids we got 6 maybe 7 channels. 3 major network channels, 3 on UHF and the PBS channel. Then we got cable. It was an "A-B" switch box on the top of the TV. I think that bumped us up t0 12 channels. Yea. Life was good.
Damn, I sound like an old coger...."Hey you! Get off my lawn! damn kids...."
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12 channels.... wow. how old are you drewster? ;D
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Hey bosco, don't go there. I'm probably older (53) than drew and I remember the days when we had the 3 networks, WGN, an educational VHF channel, and a couple of UHF stations. So there, you young buck, how's that for a good memory! (Thank God I don't look or act my age!)
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12 channels.... wow. how old are you drewster? ;D
Im 42. ButI have a feeling that's not that old for this group? Most folks here strike me as the 35-55 year group. A few young bucks, but not many.
In the 70s we had NBC, CBS, ABC. And PBS. Then there were three UHF channels. In the Central MA market that would have been chanels 27, 38 and 56.
In the late 70's the A-B cable box basiically gave us just better recption. It wasn't until the 80's that cable began adding significant channels. ( I want my M-TV).
Hell it was only 1992 ("only".,..wow. seems like yesterday, that was 14 years ago) when Springsteen wrote and sang "57 Channels (and nothing on)". About a weatlhy man in Hollywood who had 57 tv chanells (WOW!!!!!) but couldn't find anything to watch. These were the days of the 6' diametere sat dish.
Today, I have a sat dish the size of a large plate, and access to thousands of channels of crap. Amazing.
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12 channels.... wow. how old are you drewster? ;D
He's the same age as me smartass. I remember when cable TV finally came to town!!
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I was surprised to learn that Cable tv came out in PA in the 40's!
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wow, spatech, you know what they say, anger comes with age! ;D No disrespect, just never had the opportunity to use an antenna. Actually come to think of it, I think we had one at my parents cottage when I was 5. I dont think that it worked though, we were to far out into the sticks.
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wow, spatech, you know what they say, anger comes with age! ;D No disrespect, just never had the opportunity to use an antenna. Actually come to think of it, I think we had one at my parents cottage when I was 5. I dont think that it worked though, we were to far out into the sticks.
I remember the good old days when reception was bad on a football game and one of us would be moving the rabbit ears but you often had to keep your hands on it and watch from teh side of teh TV. Nowadays we're spoiled and if the cable goes out taking my 100 channels for more than 5 minutes I have to take an anxiety pill.
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I was surprised to learn that Cable tv came out in PA in the 40's!
It was the 70's in my part of PA. I remember when we had two channels, NBC and CBS, then around 66 the new upstart ABC had a new affiliate go on the air.
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We were poor. We didn't have dem fancy smancy antenneas on da roof.
We had to wrap the rabbit ears with tin foil and then hold them in crazy positions while tuning the UHF button as if you were cracking a safe. Ahhhhh. Good times.
Rabbit ears? You were lucky. We had to run coat hangers from the back of the TV to our fillings, wrap our heads in tinfoil and stand outside to watch television. (Not that we HAD coats - just hangers.) :'(
OH!!! By the way, great set-up WES! ;) Looks wonderful!
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Gee, silent - I hope you were grounded when you did that?! :-X
Thanks for the compliments. I haven't been in for the last 2 days since it's been raining here in Chicago constantly. Now a big snow predicted for later tonight! How much fun is that going to be?
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Now a big snow predicted for later tonight! How much fun is that going to be?
Thanks for sharing your installation, Wes. It's always nice to see where our product winds up.
The snow should be fun; it's a strange experience. On the acreage, we used to get out of the tub and go roll in the snow (an even stranger experience, not advised if you have heart problems) then come back into the tub (wonderful!).
BTW, this tended to bring in pine needles, leaves and what not, which we scooped out with a tea strainer. A foot bath would probably have helped, but we were always too eager to get back into the hot tub! :D