Improvements in filter technology

Posted on May 18, 2012 by Troy

We are always trying to improve on our hot tub design at the Canadian Spa Company to ensure that the customer receives the best possible product from us. On our older St. Lawrence 15’ swim spa model we had used the “pre-filter” method to help stop large debris from entering the filters. This “pre-filter” was made from permeable cloth fabric to allow water to pass through it, but stop any obstructing objects (eg: sticks, leaves, etc). Unfortunately this required the customer to constantly empty out this pre-filter as it would regularly become filled, and over time it would slowly degrade.

This pre-filter sat on top of the pleated filters to stop larger objects from entering the system

Today we have improved this design by removing the pre-filter and introducing a self-contained filter housing with an included weir gate and a traditional skimmer basket. This housing includes a removable skimmer basket for added convenience and a weir gate flap that stops larger objects. The entire design is made of plastic to ensure that it lasts for the entire lifespan of the hot tub. This combined method reduces the amount of maintenance needed, and is another reason why a Canadian Spa Company Hot Tub is for you.

Current filter housing with weir gate attachment

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Changing from J & J plugs to amp plugs

Posted on May 14, 2012 by Troy

Our older control packs used the J & J style plug to connect the internal components to the spa board for any electrical connections (picture below). These plugs where located on the side of the control pack for easy removal and insertion.

J & J type plug

Unfortunately this led to some potential problems with water exposure and caused many spa manufacturers to switch to an amp style plug located on the inside of the pack. These new plugs are much safer and convenient as they can only be inserted in one orientation for a simpler connection.

Amp plug

 

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Hot Tub Myth #103 – Hot tubs require more maintenance than a pool

Posted on May 7, 2012 by Troy

The purpose of a hot tub is to enjoy the relaxation benefits it can offer by using it on a frequent basis. People will be constantly entering and leaving the tub, and you may think that this will lead to higher maintenance and chemical use. Fortunately this isn’t always true, and if the maintenance is performed correctly a hot tub will require less upkeep than a pool.

With your hot tub purchase you will receive a hard top cover that is used to protect the tub from any unwanted elements entering it. This reduces the amount of cleaning you will need compared to a pool because you won’t need to skim out any leaves, bugs, sticks etc. This cover allows you to even use the tub during winter without the worry of the cold, harsh elements.

As a hot tub is a smaller body of water than a pool, it will be able to filter the water at much quicker speeds than a traditional pool. This means that you will not need to spend time cleaning or vacuuming the hot tub as you would a pool, and allows you to relax in it instead of labour over it.

Maintenance is something that is usually overlooked with researching a pool purchase and should be taken heavily into consideration. Whether you hire someone else to take care of the pool or spend the time yourself, the upkeep investment for a pool will always be more than a hot tub.

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What is a ‘Plug and Play’ spa? (NA)

Posted on May 3, 2012 by Troy

Some of our latest spas are considered to be ‘Plug and Play’ spas, which means that they simply require you to insert the plug into a normal socket for them to operate. These types of tubs work on a normal 110V/15A circuit and can operate as a normal sized spa (NOTE: These tubs must be the only load on the circuit to operate correctly). Each plug comes equipped with a GFCI attached to ensure that the equipment and electrical line is protected in case of a malfunction. A Plug and Play spa allows for the ultimate convenience in spa installation as an electrician isn’t required to setup your spa. Check out our Plug and Play line today for the latest in spa technology!

The GFCI plug attached to our Plug and Play spas

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Why a swim spa should have more than two pumps

Posted on May 2, 2012 by Troy

A swim spa operates by pumping out a stream of water to act against the swimming motion of the user to provide resistance and a current to keep you buoyant. Unfortunately, this procedure cannot reliably be achieved with a 2 pump swim spa system as the current that would need to be generated to keep an average swimmer buoyant would be far greater than the power of 2 pumps. Instead some competitors attempt to solve this problem by attaching a “fishing pole” like tether around the swimmer’s waist to hold them in place. This flexible pole extends out of the back of the spa and attempts to provide enough resistance to keep the swimmer in place (check out a video here).

The St. Lawrence Aurora Swim Spa models offered by the Canadian Spa Company come with at least 3 pumps to provide enough power and resistance to keep anyone in their lane without the need for any additional tethers. These straps can distract the swimmer and may be counterproductive when trying to improve your swimming technique. These additional pumps can also be diverted to the rest of the spa to give you a dedicated therapy experience when needed.

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Changing your hot tub filter

Posted on May 1, 2012 by Troy

Your hot tub filter is an important part in keeping your hot tub clean, and should be replaced every 4 – 6 months. Finding a replacement model is fairly simple, and once you have the new one, simply remove the previous one from the filter housing and place the new one in. Note that you will need to turn off the power to the spa (from the breaker) if it is in a filter cycle otherwise the suction inside the filter housing will be too strong to lift out the previous filter.

 

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Hurricane jet upgrade

Posted on April 30, 2012 by Troy

For our Canadian Spa Company Hot Tub line we have changed the jet style to our new “Hurricane” model which features several improvements over the previous chrome model. This new jet style features chrome backing with black plastic flares attached to the outside of the jet. This small addition allows for the jet to be rotated easier when underwater to either open or close the flow of water. It also provides a better grip when attempting to remove the jet for replacement or customization. This subtle change is an example of how the Canadian Spa Company constantly tries to innovate and develop a better spa experience.

A 5" Hurricane full massage jet

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Hot Tub Spotlight – Montreal Aurora 2012

Posted on April 30, 2012 by Troy

Looking for that perfect spa for yourself and your significant other? The 2012 Montreal Aurora spa might be the perfect addition to your sun room or conservatory with its small size and powerful system. This tub is equipped with a 5HP pump and a 5.5 kW heater to provide you with a warm and cozy spa during the winter season. Feel like laying back and relaxing? Our no-float lounge takes care of all the hard work and can massage your body after a long day.

Features

Montreal Aurora 2012

Seats

2-3

Hydro-Massage Hurricane jets

32

Shell colour

Silver marble

Cabinet colour

Charcoal

Heater

5.5 kW

Filter

2 x 50 ft² threaded

Installation

230V/40A

Ozone generator

Yes

Audio system

Yes

Pop up waterproof speakers

Yes

LED perimeter lighting

Yes

Waterfall

Yes

Enjoy your time spent in the Montreal Aurora hot tub with all the included Aurora features at no additional cost!

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Swim spa install

Posted on April 26, 2012 by Troy

Installing your Canadian Spa Company Swim spa requires the use of a professional electrician to properly run the wires and install the spa. Your 16’ St. Lawrence swim spa will require 60A (50A for the 14’) at 240V with a dedicated GFCI breaker. We recommend that you use a wire size of at least #6 AWG (6-3 plus ground) for installation. Ensure that the electrician is licensed and will meet all local electrical codes. Please note that failure to supply the recommended power will void the manufacturer’s warranty!

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Diagnostic Messages – SA/Sb/Sn

Posted on April 25, 2012 by Troy

Within the heater are two sensors that help regulate the temperature of the spa and the pressure flowing through the heater. If any of these two sensors stop working, the message “SA”, “Sb”, or “Sn” will appear on the display and the spa will shut down. Your first step to remedy this situation is to remove the cover from the spa and let the temperature drop. These messages may appear temporarily in an overheat condition, and may not require any service to be performed. After the temperature has dropped, reset the breaker and check to see if the messages are displayed again. If they are, contact us and we will instruct you on how to proceed.

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