Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with hottub

It felt great until the tingly.

The Biggest Dreamer — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 11:11:41 -0800

After ~20 minutes in a hot tub, I get an intensely uncomfortable tingling feeling in my arms and my face and feel very... woozy and unbalanced. What is going on, and is this normal? After I surfaced and enjoyed some cooler air for a bit I felt better. Strangely enough, I'd felt this exact same feeling in one other situation- while having sex with someone. I thought maybe I was just hyperventilating then? lol, young inexperienced people. I kind of felt like I was going to pass out, but I've never passed out before so I don't know if that's actually what was happening. I don't know what exactly my body is doing. And I'd really like to know.

Am a young female with normally lowish blood pressure but in good health.

Does a hot tub affect chances of implantation?

pines — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 12:13:34 -0800

Trying to conceive: hot tub a no-no? My wife and I are trying to conceive, and we're wondering about her using a hot tub during the 2ww ("two week wait")? Is it safe? Does it reduce (or increase ;) the chances of implantation? Incidentally, I know (now) that it may reduce sperm production and health for the man; this question is more about the effect on implantation very early stage pregnancy. Thanks!

Is there a scientific reason for a menstruating woman not to use a hot tub?

dahliachewswell — Wed, 13 May 2009 13:22:55 -0800

Is there some scientific or medical reason why a menstruating woman would be banned from a public/shared hot tub or pool? (I'm talking actual findings, not just general cultural ickiness.) I've come across this women's health spa in my area that claims it will not admit women to its facilities (soaking tubs and saunas, etc.) if they are having their period.

Does anyone know if there is science to back this up (transmission of diseases in hot tubs, etc.)?

Obviously, you don't want large amounts of blood contaminating a semi-sanitary environment but menstruation is not equivalent to hemorrhaging. Likewise, menstruation is not equivalent to having a contagious infection or skin condition. It seems like if a woman had showered and is using a tampon or menstrual cup it would be a non-issue. The ban mostly seems like a continuation of a taboo or cultural distaste for menses, "eww, women on their period are unclean" sort of thing. Am I missing some hard facts?

Need to get in hot water in San Jose

Napoleonic Terrier — Sun, 03 May 2009 19:12:35 -0800

Suggestions for an athletic club in the South Bay, preferably San Jose?---must offer tennis, swimming, and most importantly, a hot tub/jacuzzi that's great and at least 102 degrees Fahrenheit. All anecdotes, horror stories, etc. about any South Bay facility are most welcome. Thanks.

Low Stress Vacation

BrotherCaine — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 19:33:03 -0800

Where in Northern or Central California is a good place to vacation in late April/Early May with swimming pools, ~~movie stars~~, hot springs, massage, day hikes and/or B&Bs with vacancies? My wife and I are thinking of taking a road trip this year from eastern SF bay area to somewhere between Cambria and Mendocino or inland with the aforementioned amenities. We like to travel cheap, but with hot showers. Three stars at two star prices kind of thing. 7-10 mile day hikes would be fun, below freezing nights less so. Also, extra bonus points for B&Bs with hosting pets, small towns with cozy used book stores, and restaurants with at least one vegetarian (not vegan) item on the menu.

Hot Tub/Spa Advice for Second Home

jbradley — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 18:26:55 -0800

Considering getting a spa for an Oregon beach house and have never owned one. We don't rent the house out and family is there about twice a month in summer/fall and perhaps less than once/month in the winter/spring. Interested in advice, considerations for such a set up particularly around necessity of hiring someone for maintenance and temperature/circulation settings while we are gone. BTW, freezing is not an issue, but it does stay pretty consistently cool (50s) most of the time.

Why calcium carbonate in the hot tub?

skybolt — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 17:09:35 -0800

Why add calcium carbonate to the hot tub? I just had my hot tub water tested, and in addition to the usual pH adjustments, buffering capacity increases, etc., I was instructed to add calcium carbonate to the hot tub. When I asked why, the answer was to increase the amount of calcium in the water. (*sigh*)

Google searches only tell me how bad it is to have extra calcium carbonate build up on the pump, water lines, heater and whatnot, so my question remains: why am I adding calcium carbonate to the hot tub?

Waterproof sex toys?

Anonymous — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 09:51:03 -0800

Just got a new Jacuzzi tub. Looking for recommendations for, um, waterproof toys and other items that will help my wife and I enjoy it. We currently own a Hitachi Magic Wand and a Rabbit Pearl. She loves both of them but neither are waterproof. Sadly, she says the sprayer isn’t strong enough. While we’re primarily looking for sex-related items we also welcome suggestions for essential non-sex stuff. Anon email: mefijeb@gmail.com

Should I get a hot tub?

mathowie — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 17:03:45 -0800

As much as it frightens me, I'm really starting to enjoy hot tubs. Would I really use one at home or am I just enjoying them during vacations? I hate hot tubs and hot tub guys. You know the types -- creepy dudes with mustaches from the 1970s that love to get people into their hot tubs. All they talk about is crazy sex stories involving jets and being underwater. I don't want to be that guy.

But over the last year or two, I've begun trying them out whenever my hotel has one. I just got back from a week at the beach renting a house and I looked forward to going for a soak at the end of each day. They're really relaxing and a good way to de-stress the day away before bed and the hot tub did help my aching back after a couple hours of bike riding a couple days ago.

So I'm considering whether or not to get one for my home, but the first obvious question is if it's really a useful thing or is it that during the "fog of vacation" I enjoy them for reasons I won't when I have one at home.

My question to everyone (especially those that already have one) is are they really useful and relaxing? Are they worth the (I'm guessing) $5k or so? Do they help sore muscles?

Why did the hot tub turn my white t-shirt blue?

iguanapolitico — Mon, 21 May 2007 18:45:26 -0800

Why did the hot tub turn my white t-shirt blue? A few weeks ago I visited a friend who has a hot tub and I forgot to pack my swimsuit. So I wore a white t-shirt and a pair of boxer shorts and a good hot tubbin' time was had.

When we got back inside and I changed clothes, I noticed that my white t-shirt was now blue. I rinsed it and rinsed it, and eventually ran it through the washing machine a couple times, but it still has a blue hue. Will this ever go away?

I recall during my growing years pouring bleach directly onto white fabrics that seemed to initally turn purple. I don't recall if I rinsed them right away to return them to their white state, or if they whitened up on their own. Same effect as the chlorinated hot tub + white t-shirt?

I'm not desperate to get this t-shirt white again, but am surprised that googling didn't reveal the answer right away. So I'm just damn curious. (And I'm filing the question under "science & nature" because I'm interested in the chemistry involved, not fashion.)

SpaFilter: Jacuzzi, CalSpa and L.A. Spa -- what are the qualitative differences?

frogan — Sat, 31 Mar 2007 13:50:23 -0800

SpaFilter: Jacuzzi, CalSpa and L.A. Spa -- what are the qualitative differences? The missus and I will be replacing our broken-down, 16-year-old, above-ground spa with a brand new one. We've done the due diligence, and are now casting out to AskMe for additional opinions about these three brands.

What are the real qualitative differences between them? Any horror stories out there? Why does CalSpa seem to half as expensive as the actual Jacuzzi brand and L.A. Spa? Does the fact that Costco Home Stores carry CalSpa say something positive/negative about CalSpa quality?

I'm not looking for differences like number of jets and features. I'm looking for opinions on workmanship and integrity of materials.

How do I search for hotels with in room hot tubs?

mrgoldenbrown — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 06:54:15 -0800

How do I search for hotels with in-room hot tubs? I am on a road trip, currently heading towards Florida from North Carolina. I like having an in-room hottub/jacuzzi. I have seen places that offer $50 / night hottub rooms on weekdays. However, I only see these places in person, and they are usually not a chain. I have had no luck googling or using any of my favorite travel planning sites to search for this amenity. Anyone know of a means for finding these cheap local deals? Alternatively, anyone know of such a place near Savannah, GA, which is my destination tonight? My aching muscles thank you.

Is this free hot tub worth the effort?

GeneticFreek — Tue, 26 Sep 2006 20:17:00 -0800

Are the discoloration marks in this hot tub signs that the fiberglass is rotten? We have been offered a hot tub for free. There is some minor mechanical work needed, but we're not too afraid of that. The bigger concern is the discoloration to the fiberglass and we are wondering if it might mean that the fiberglass is rotten.

Please see this picture.

The hot tub has been stored on its side for the last several months. As you can see, it is a bit dirty. What's more concerning, though, is all the spots and streaks. They seem to be a part of the fiberglass itself, now. We can't tell/don't know if they are the starts of pinholes or other concerns.

Can anyone tell us if this is a worry? If so, is it easily fixable? Would you recommend taking this free hot tub?

My hot tub drained for no apparent reason. What happened?

frogan — Sat, 23 Sep 2006 14:36:43 -0800

My hot tub drained for no apparent reason. What happened? I have an aboveground hot tub with a HydroQuip DS2 filtration system. Last weekend, I adjusted the temperature and chemistry, and skimmed the water for floaty things. I adjusted the water levels by adding more water via a garden hose, to where the water level was just above the surface skimmer inlet. I replaced the tub's cover, and it rained all week. Today, I take off the cover and about 70 percent of the water is missing. I have never touched the built-in drain -- in fact, I don't even know where the built-in drain is (I've drained it in the past via the garden hose as a siphon).

What gives?

Besides an answer, can someone suggest a hot-tub technical consultant in the Seattle Eastside area?

Can our deck support the hot tub we ordered?

fenriq — Fri, 21 Jan 2005 09:57:47 -0800

GetintheHotTubFilter
We're taking delivery of a new hot tub today and I'm not wholly sure that our deck is strong enough to support it.
Is there a simple way to to check that the deck can withstand the weight? (MI) The tub is by SofTub, holds 300 gallons of water and they say it weighs about 2700 pounds full but that its weight per square foot is less than 90 pounds/sq.ft.

The deck is about 15 years old, has no visible signs of rot, sagging or other easily found clues that it's gonna collapse. The deck is supported by 4x4's set into cement with 2x6 runners supporting the decking above.

Need more info? Ask and I'll provide as best I can.

Natural hot tub cleaning supplies?

vacapinta — Sun, 19 Sep 2004 22:56:12 -0800

Hot tub/Spa question: I know about chlorine and bromide based solutions for keeping a clean hot tub. Is there an alternative that is more natural and relies less on nasty chemicals? One friend has suggested saltwater, but I'm skeptical. Anything else I should be thinking of?