r/swimspa

This is my third guide in backyard tubs, this one all about swim spas. I wanted to address some common misconceptions and where buying tends to go off the rails. Because despite apparent similarity, swim spas are different beasts than hot tubs. They are bigger, heavier, hungrier for power, and what matters most is novel to the build - the current you swim against. Install is still important but that current and how you use it determines longevity.

First considerations: do you need a swim spa? Because if you want to relax and maybe swim every now and then, a smaller unity or a large hot tub may suit your needs better. Or if you want a swim and a soak, dual zone units can hold a swim area and hot tub area at independent temps. Triple zone adds a cold plunge. But focus on what you will use it for most days. Most wallets cannot accommodate swim spa that becomes a really long hot tub just because you wanted the option (but if that isn't a barrier, by all means).

Money and money and also money: entry models trend 12k-20k USD with smaller shells, single current, and base features. Middle range is 20k-30k which gets large shell, more control on the current, and dual temps. High end runs 30k-40k+ with massive footprints, triple temp ranges, strongest propulsion, and highly adjustable currents. But as will all things, value plateaus at the top and sales start talking showy features rather than core build. Don't spring for more jets or pay for celebrity branding. When in doubt, observe pricing for drops and discounts. Waiting a month could real save a lot or even let you move up a tier if desired.

Current above all: jet or river-jet systems can range from choppy to silky flows. Turbine systems move wider and smoother walls of water and are usually easier to swim against. Propeller models move the most and tend to have the smoothest flow which is reflected in cost. And for good reason. Bubbles are hard to swim against. Width and depth of flow affects your stroke and top speed. Strong currents might still swim poorly so look up videos and testimonies if possible.

Foundation and electrics: Shells mostly run from 12-20ft with some even larger which doubly matters for tall folks and long strokes. Most builds run on 240V with 50 or 60amps. Dual temp can need two circuits so check your panel can handle it. Weight starts being a massive consideration when a filled spa with swimmers can be 10k pounds or more. So you need a (very) flat, well engineered base. Usually a reenforced concrete pad. Which can move costs. Ask for specs on the pad and weight and get it in writing.

Temp and water care: Do you need a single temp for the whole shell or independant zones? Heating and chemistry scale in a big way at this volume so insulation is absolutely premium. Ask for monthly running costs in your specific climate. Especially if you have a salt set up since corrosion scales similar and in some regions, disposal can be heavily regulated or even illegal. The cost of UV or ozone can really add up.

TL;DR: know what you need it for most. Mind your electrics and if upgrades are needed. It is heavy so spec the foundation along with delivery method. Do you need single, dual, or triple temp? What is your running cost and sanitation needs? Is the swim length, width, and depth sufficient for your figure? Super important - how long is the warranty and what does it cover? Who you calling when you need an inevitable fix? Can you finance?

Thanks for reading and hope this helps some. Feedback and questions welcome.

I am a new swim spa owner just since the late spring. It is summer, and we haven't been in for a few weeks because it has been so hot, but I have been test-stripping it and putting the new bucket of chlorine in to treat it. I wasn't showing any or very low FC and I just realized that for the past 3 weeks I have been using trichlor granules (53.5%) instead of DiChlor. I am not sure what I need to do in order to fix this as quickly as possible because, from why searching on here it appears to be very bad for the Spa.

,
I ran a new test strip and got the results below. I have ordered a taylor kit for better testing going forward but what should I do now? full drain? Partial drain? Just leave the lid off?

PH - 8.4

FC- 0 PPM

TA - 80

STablizer - 70

Understand WHO You're Actually Buying From

The hot tub and spa game has been picked clean. Equity firms and massive corporations have rolled up almost every meaningful brand in the space, which means you're walking into showrooms thinking you're comparing apples to apples when really you're looking at the same company selling you two different stories. Same manufacturing footprint. Same ownership. Different logos and a completely different marketing spin.

Here's where it gets ugly: you'll find two brands sitting right next to each other on the floor with completely contradictory claims about insulation, jet systems, shell construction, everything. One brand's marketing tells you their acrylic is superior, the other swears their rigid foam package is what actually matters. Their sales reps will argue about it like they work for competing startups. Meanwhile, the private equity firm or corporate parent that owns both is in the back office laughing because the actual product is largely the same, sometimes literally manufactured in the same facility.

It's a masterclass in positioning. They're not competing on quality, they're competing on which sales pitch resonates better with different customer segments and price points. It works because most people don't dig into ownership structures. They see two brands, assume real competition, and think they're making an informed choice.

Then there's the pricing. Corporate and equity-backed brands run 10% to 30% higher across the board than independent players or smaller operators, and it's not because the spa is actually better. There are layers you don't see: dividends flowing back to PE firms, distribution markups, management fees, institutional overhead. But the big one is marketing spend. These companies pour money into advertising, branded content, influencer deals, slick websites, the whole arsenal. They do it because they know something the industry won't say out loud: quality doesn't move units. Marketing moves units. The product has to be acceptable, sure, but what actually closes the deal is narrative and reach.

That's the bet they're making. That you'll believe what they tell you instead of asking who's actually telling it.

I am thinking about getting a swimspa because I absolutely LOVE water walking (I do it once a week at my Gym, but I would do it every day almost if I didn't have to worry about getting a ride to and back from the Gym - plus my Gym is around $1,200 a year, and I only use the pool, water walking track)

The problem is, I live in a townhome with no yard. However, I have a large finished basement we don't really use for anything (technically just a lower level, as the townhome is half in a hill, and it's a large room next to my Garage.) I just call it a basement because there's no windows (surrounded on 2 sides by the hill, 1 side by the neighboring townhome, and 1 side by my garage.)- Newer home, well built- Built in 1997.

Would it even be possible to get a SwimSpa installed in that room - Above ground? or are they always installed outdoors?

I know it would involve

1. Applying Waterproofing the the floor (probably tiling, or just removing the carpet and applying a waterproof coating to the concrete)
2. Installing proper floor drainage system (have a floor drain in the uncarpeted part of the room, but need to make sure slopes are correct)
3. Make sure current Washer/Dryer hookups will work to power it.
4. Make sure there's ventilation and moisture resistant drywall.

Are there other steps I'm neglecting? Is it even possible?

((Sorry to ask silly questions, I've tried to research this myself, but the internet is riddled with bad AI confusing Swim Spas and above ground pools))