7. Use it as a pool instead of a hot tub - Simply don’t heat it! That’s it. As long as you treat the water and circulate it the way you would a hot tub, it’s safe to dunk your human body into. During my initial research, I saw that people can buy adapters to cool their jacuzzi water, but I don’t see a need for that. The natural water is perfectly chilly (almost too chilly?) for dunks on a sunny afternoon.
I’m sure I’ll get some Qs, so here are the As:
Does it need to be treated?
Hot or cold, the water can pick up bacteria from people/sunscreen/sweat/clothes/etc. so keeping it clean is important. I learned a lot about cleaning and maintaining a hot tub (or a pool) from this YouTube channel. I watched his spa videos and his pool videos to determine that the treatment is basically the same. He does include way more info than I did, so check those videos out for more details.
I’m not into pool chemicals, what’s the solution?
I decided that Bromine is a less irritating pool cleaner than chlorine, so I chose the least noxious option for this pool. It’s not perfect, nothing is, unfortunately.
I considered not putting chemicals in the water at all, actually. I was inspired by a homeowner on the Green Homes Tour that converted her in-ground pool into a pond. She stopped using chemicals, turned off the filters, then let nature take over. It’s an algae, fish, and plant-filled oasis. She even swims in it! BUT. The different between what she did and what I did by leaving my jacuzzi to sit for a year, is she added aquatic life that creates an entire ecosystem in the pond. I decided that I didn’t want to add fish to my pool, so I decided not to do this. Click here to check out my post I wrote about it.
That’s a lot of water to drain and waste!
Yeah, it’s a lot of water. But, when I drained the water it fed my plants during a drought, and they loved it. As for the water filling, it does feel like a ton of water, but it’s the equivalent of about 15 fifteen-minute-long showers. Let’s just say that during quarantine, I’ve skipped the equivalent of 15 showers.
What will you do when it’s not hot enough for a cold pool anymore?
Oh you know, I’ll probably just let it sit and get disgusting and then repeat this process again.
In San Diego, it’s hot until October, so we have many more months to enjoy the pool. Hopefully by the end of this hot season I’ll have a plan for the backyard and can set the groundwork for finally getting rid of the hot tub. The goal is to turn the space into an urban garden! Fingers crossed we can start this soon-ish.
You know, when it comes to turning your hot tub into a cold pool, I've got some solid expertise in this realm. Treating the water and keeping it safe for a refreshing dunk requires more than just a whimsical idea. I've delved into the nitty-gritty of hot tub maintenance and water treatment, and I can assure you, it's not a walk in the park.
Let's start with the basics—water treatment. Whether it's hot or cold, the water can play host to bacteria from various sources like people, sunscreen, sweat, and even clothes. Maintaining cleanliness is paramount. I stumbled upon a YouTube channel that became my go-to resource for understanding the intricacies of hot tub and pool maintenance. This guy covers it all, from spa to pool, and I've learned the treatment is pretty much the same for both.
Now, let's talk chemicals. I'm not a fan of the strong stuff, so after careful consideration, I settled on Bromine as a less irritating alternative to chlorine. It's not a perfect solution, but then again, perfection is a rare gem in the world of pool maintenance.
Here's the kicker—I entertained the idea of forgoing chemicals altogether, inspired by a homeowner who transformed her in-ground pool into a chemical-free oasis filled with algae, fish, and plants. She even swims in it! But, here's the catch—I didn't fancy introducing fish to my pool, so that dream took a backseat.
When it comes to the water volume, draining a pool is no small feat. However, when I decided to drain mine, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. The water went on to quench the thirst of my plants during a drought, and they thrived on it. As for the water filling, sure, it feels like a lot, but it's equivalent to about 15 fifteen-minute showers. Quarantine life, right?
Now, as for the future, when the cold pool loses its charm, I might just let it sit, gather some character, and then embark on this whole process again. San Diego's heat keeps the pool season going until October, giving me ample time to enjoy the refreshing dips. And who knows, by the end of this hot season, I might have a solid plan to bid farewell to the hot tub and usher in the era of an urban garden. Fingers crossed, my friend!
