# At what temperature do you prefer to have your hottub set? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 23, 2006, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-temperature-do-you-prefer-to-have-your-hottub-set/353821 "2006-04-23T03:13:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Large\_Marge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/50afbb/32.png) [@Large\_Marge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Large_Marge)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2006, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-temperature-do-you-prefer-to-have-your-hottub-set/353821/1 "2006-04-23T03:13:18Z")
I like mine at 107. You? ---
**Author:** ![SkeptiJess](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea666f/32.png) [@SkeptiJess](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SkeptiJess)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2006, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-temperature-do-you-prefer-to-have-your-hottub-set/353821/2 "2006-04-23T03:34:35Z")
107 is a little hot for us. We keep ours at 104 - 105 for most of the year. In the summer we turn it down to 100 or 101. It is hot and humid at night here in the summer. I’ll add a couple hot tub question to yours – first, do you wear a bathing suit in the hot tub? I don’t, usually, since it’s usually just my husband and I going in, and we usually go in after dark. We do wear suits when we’re tubbing with other people besides just each other. I find that skipping the suits really helps keep the water quality up. Also, what do you use for chemicals? I’m using a Nature 2 cartridge lately, with MPS as my daily sanitizer. I shock once a week with Chlorine shock. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2006, 10:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-temperature-do-you-prefer-to-have-your-hottub-set/353821/3 "2006-04-23T10:22:59Z")
Mine only goes up to 104, and I keep it there. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2006, 11:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-temperature-do-you-prefer-to-have-your-hottub-set/353821/4 "2006-04-23T11:49:35Z")
We must be sissies. It’s usually at 100. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2006, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-temperature-do-you-prefer-to-have-your-hottub-set/353821/5 "2006-04-23T14:41:51Z")
1. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2006, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-temperature-do-you-prefer-to-have-your-hottub-set/353821/6 "2006-04-23T14:45:33Z")
**Jess** , we use bromine tabs, and some enzymes called “spa perfect”. And raise the pH as needed. Since we started using the enzymes, maintenance is easy. We rarely shock. And when it’s just Mrs. Mercotan and I, adding chemicals needs to be done only once a week. And the more often suits are used in the tub, the sooner the water needs changing. ---
**Author:** ![pendgwen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3da27b/32.png) [@pendgwen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pendgwen)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2006, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-temperature-do-you-prefer-to-have-your-hottub-set/353821/7 "2006-04-23T16:51:22Z")
I like it at 107. But no one else in the family likes it that hot so it stays at 104. ---
**Author:** ![delphica](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e9a140/32.png) [@delphica](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/delphica)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2006, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-temperature-do-you-prefer-to-have-your-hottub-set/353821/8 "2006-04-23T17:52:14Z")
> [@Large Marge](#): > > I like mine at 107. You? Ours is old, and only gets up to about 101 these days. I think I would prefer it more at about 105 or so … but on the other hand, I don’t know if I really want it hotter, or if I am just cranky because I’m daunted about having to make the decision to replace it, and all the hassle that would be. It’s currently in a room that used to be a open porch, but previous owners closed it and insulated it so it’s part of the house proper now, and I think I might like to open it back up again so the hot tub could be outside. Or should we move it altogether? And what kind should we get? You know, I love the hot tub but I’d say I get about 15% relaxation from it, and the rest is stress. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2006, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-temperature-do-you-prefer-to-have-your-hottub-set/353821/9 "2006-04-23T19:00:24Z")
> [@delphica](#): > > …snip… Or should we move it altogether? And what kind should we get? > > You know, I love the hot tub but I’d say I get about 15% relaxation from it, and the rest is stress. I can’t speak highly enough about our [Softub](http://www.softub.com/). It’s 10 years old, easy to maintain, easy to move, lives outside year round, and is 99+% relaxation, \<1% maintenance. ---
**Author:** ![swampbear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampbear/32/467_2.png) [@swampbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampbear)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2006, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-temperature-do-you-prefer-to-have-your-hottub-set/353821/10 "2006-04-23T21:31:28Z")
I keep mine at 105 degrees all year round. Like **QtM** I use bromide tablets and “Spa Perfect”. I’ve never had a problem using those. As for suits in the tub, I’m with the no suits crowd. The only time I’ve ever worn a suit in the tub is when there’s been kids around. It’s rare that I use it in the daytime, preferring to get in at night for a nice long soak before bed. Nothing more relaxing! During the summer, I drain it and leave it off. Since I also have a pool, I found I wasn’t using the hot tub so I decided to close it when it gets warm. I love it when it’s cold and I get in the tub. I get out all toasty warm, dry off and sit on my back porch in my robe cooling down for a bit. It’s wonderful! ---
**Author:** ![SkeptiJess](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea666f/32.png) [@SkeptiJess](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SkeptiJess)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2006, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-temperature-do-you-prefer-to-have-your-hottub-set/353821/11 "2006-04-24T22:43:34Z")
I wonder if you can use Spa Perfect with chlorine? I’m allergic to Bromine. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2006, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-temperature-do-you-prefer-to-have-your-hottub-set/353821/12 "2006-04-24T22:59:28Z")
Did you folks all get lost on the way to the rich kids’ board (RKMB)? ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2006, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-temperature-do-you-prefer-to-have-your-hottub-set/353821/13 "2006-04-24T23:51:41Z")
> [@Jess](#): > > I wonder if you can use Spa Perfect with chlorine? I’m allergic to Bromine. I believe you can. My tub dealer sells both Spa Perfect and chlorine, and there’s no warning on the Spa Perfect about using it with chlorine. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2006, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-temperature-do-you-prefer-to-have-your-hottub-set/353821/14 "2006-04-25T00:04:40Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > Did you folks all get lost on the way to the rich kids’ board (RKMB)? Hey, everyone chooses their extravagances. My car is over 10 years old and has over 300 K miles on it. Mrs. Mercotan’s is 11 years old with 235 K miles on it. We don’t eat out often, generally don’t get our coffee from Starbucks or similar, and shop Target, Wal-mart, and the “everything’s a dollar” grocery store on a regular basis. But we does likes our hottub! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2006, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-temperature-do-you-prefer-to-have-your-hottub-set/353821/15 "2006-04-25T01:48:58Z")
> [@Qadgop the Mercotan](#): > > Hey, everyone chooses their extravagances. My car is over 10 years old and has over 300 K miles on it. Mrs. Mercotan’s is 11 years old with 235 K miles on it. We don’t eat out often, generally don’t get our coffee from Starbucks or similar, and shop Target, Wal-mart, and the “everything’s a dollar” grocery store on a regular basis. > > But we does likes our hottub! 😃 Hey, I’m just jealous. I have no place to put something like that without parking the car outside. ---
**Author:** ![Unintentionally\_Blank](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unintentionally_blank/32/5418_2.png) [@Unintentionally\_Blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unintentionally_Blank)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2006, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-temperature-do-you-prefer-to-have-your-hottub-set/353821/16 "2006-04-25T02:29:44Z")
> [@Jess](#): > > 107 is a little hot for us. We keep ours at 104 - 105 for most of the year. In the summer we turn it down to 100 or 101. It is hot and humid at night here in the summer. > > I’ll add a couple hot tub question to yours – first, do you wear a bathing suit in the hot tub? I don’t, usually, since it’s usually just my husband and I going in, and we usually go in after dark. We do wear suits when we’re tubbing with other people besides just each other. I find that skipping the suits really helps keep the water quality up. > > Also, what do you use for chemicals? I’m using a Nature 2 cartridge lately, with MPS as my daily sanitizer. I shock once a week with Chlorine shock. I’m 100% in agreement with Jess. We started out using Baqua Spa products (b@stard hottub saleman made a MINT in supply sales) Went to an off brand Baqua Spa like product…then went to Bromine. MAN is that an easy way to maintain a Spa! And while we’re not hurting financially, we got a killer deal on the spa, and spent money we got from the sale of the previous house. I have No Idea how we’d ever replace this spa. I absolutely LOVE it tho. ---
**Author:** ![minor7flat5](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/minor7flat5/32/258_2.png) [@minor7flat5](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minor7flat5)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2006, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-temperature-do-you-prefer-to-have-your-hottub-set/353821/17 "2006-04-25T02:40:05Z")
How often does the water need changing? I always imagined it was like a swimming pool – we had fifteen year old water in the pool until we had to replace the liner last year. Doesn’t shocking and filtering handle all of the gunk? ---
**Author:** ![Unintentionally\_Blank](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unintentionally_blank/32/5418_2.png) [@Unintentionally\_Blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unintentionally_Blank)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2006, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-temperature-do-you-prefer-to-have-your-hottub-set/353821/18 "2006-04-25T02:59:41Z")
> [@minor7flat5](#): > > How often does the water need changing? > I always imagined it was like a swimming pool – we had fifteen year old water in the pool until we had to replace the liner last year. > > Doesn’t shocking and filtering handle all of the gunk? With the Baqua Spa stuff, the water would only hold so much gunk before it got nasty. We’d change the water every 60-75 days. We just changed the first dose of Bromine water after the same period of time. It didn’t seem to _need_ it, we just did it out of force of habit. So, how _big_ is everybody’s spas? Ours is 550 gal. (and nice for all 260 lbs, 6’6" of me to float in without touching the sides.) ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2006, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-temperature-do-you-prefer-to-have-your-hottub-set/353821/19 "2006-04-25T03:15:40Z")
Ours is 300 gallons, which will hold 6 in a pinch, 4 really nicely, and 2 or 3 very, very nicely. Chemicals get added once a week, the filter gets a quick rinse once every month or two, and the water gets changed twice a year (a procedure which takes about an hour and a half, and since I have a hose that runs right from the water heater tank, we’re back up to hottub temp in under a day.) Our model (see the softub link in my earlier post) has no special plumbing, fills from a garden hose, and plugs into a nearby outlet. No special frame for it on our deck either. ---
**Author:** ![SkeptiJess](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea666f/32.png) [@SkeptiJess](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SkeptiJess)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2006, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-temperature-do-you-prefer-to-have-your-hottub-set/353821/20 "2006-04-25T12:52:17Z")
I used Bacqua Spa too, once upon a time. _Hated_ it. When we used the jets, it made the water too… effervescant, or something. It would feel like tiny soda pop bubbles going up your nose. That’s when we switched to the Nature 2 thing along with MPS. We’re supposed to use the MPS for the weekly shock, too, but I find that that isn’t quite up to the task, which is why I shock with chlorine. I wish I could use Bromine, because I’ve heard it’s much the easiest, but as I said, I’m allergic. I change the water in my tub 3 or four times a year. The Nature 2 cartridge is switched out every 3 months and you’re supposed to change the water then. I sometimes skip the winter water change, though, unless the water seems to be going bad – I don’t like messing with cleaning the tub during the cold weather.