Frequently Asked
Questions

Buying and owning a hot tub comes with questions, from setup to care. Our FAQs provide clear answers to help you feel confident, whether preparing for delivery or enjoying your tub.

General

Find answers to common questions about our tubs, covering everything from features and maintenance to safety, delivery, and everyday use.

    • Small (2 person) 1550mm diameter
    • Medium (4 person) 1850mm diameter
    • Large (6 person) 2050mm diameter
  • Yes. Every tub includes a New Zealand–made, hard, lockable heat-retention cover. It fully complies with New Zealand safety standards and is supplied in a stylish charcoal finish.

  • Because our tubs all come with a lockable compliant cover and our steps are removable, this means that all our tubs are fully compliant and don’t require any fencing.

    We recommend to still check with your council to be 100% sure.

  • Finance is available through MTF Finance.

    Click here to complete online form

  • Deciding between our hot tubs or typical acrylic spas depends mostly on personal preference and each individual situation.

    There are however many reasons for choosing one of our style tubs.

    The vertical walls and greater depth of our tubs surrounds the bather with more water than would be found in a acrylic spa, so there is a greater effect of buoyancy in the hot tub.

    As with typical acrylic spas with their molded seats, you are limited to this position only which some people may find uncomfortable.

    There is no freedom to float and sit in the position you desire.

    In addition, there is typically much more leg room since you can stretch out under the bench seats and taller bathers are more comfortably accommodated.

    Because of our hot tub’s greater depth, a smaller diameter hot tub will seat the same number of people as a larger plastic spa and a smaller surface area means less heating expense.

    And of course, there’s the rustic look of our tubs.

    From an aesthetic point of view, nothing matches the appearance of a Western Red Cedar hot tub with its pure, simple, natural looks that would look great in any backyard.

  • The cedar seats are soaked for a while in water to help release as much tannins as possible before we send out our tubs. The tannins are actually not harmful in any way and provide a nice smelling aroma.

  • Compared to traditional, full wooden cedar tubs, our inner polyethylene moulded shell has many advantages including;

    • Provides a leak free tub
    • Produces no water discolouration
    • More hygienic and easier to keep clean
    • Better insulation so cheaper running costs
    • No wood rot and breaking down of the cedar walls so a longer life span

    Features of polyethylene include;

    • Tough and durable 10mm thick
    • Environmentally friendly material
    • Minimizes algae growth
    • UV resistant material
    • Non-toxic, food grade (FDA approved)
    • Fully ribbed for proven strength
  • Outside of our tubs are finished off with a MARINE TEAK OIL which is a premium quality New Zealand made wood oil sourced from natural renewable resources (tung oil which is pressed from the nut of the tung tree and vegetable turpentine, which is extracted from Pinus trees) plus a touch of David’s “magic brew”. Teak Oil is premium quality, fast-drying wood oil designed for the marine environment, with a light Teak pigment to give added UV protection and will not crack or peel. Product highlights: Designed for UV protection, exterior/marine environment Easy to maintain with Teak Pigment to help prevent fading and cracking Rich, warm finish that nourishes and protects wood https://www.supremeoils.co.nz/product/teak-oil-marine/

  • The benefits of hydrotherapy have been known for thousands of years, ancient civilizations enjoyed bathing in hot water springs and hydrotherapy was born.

    Hydro massage, as we call it, is both physical and mental.

    There are three factors at work in a hot tub, heat, buoyancy and massage, combined they create a perfect environment that can be used to treat a number of ailments from arthritis to minor sports injuries.

    Immersing your body in hot water raises the body temperature causing the blood vessels to dilate, resulting in increased circulation and endorphins, your own natural painkillers.
    It also helps reduce blood pressure and high blood sugar levels.

    Our tubs are deeper than conventional acrylic types, making you more buoyant, you lose over half your bodyweight, relieving pressure on joints and muscles, creating a relaxing sensation you can’t get in a normal bath.

    The massaging action in the water is created from the bubble bench and jets positioned in tub, these send a mixture of warm water and air through the jet nozzles, gentle massaging away all those aches and pains caused by the daily stresses of today’s fast pace of life.

    Simply soaking in a hot, swirling, tub will, we guarantee, leave you mentally and emotionally relaxed.

    Twenty minutes in the morning can give you a fresh start and a long soak before bed can help improve sleep.

    A hot tub is something you’ll want to experience every day, relaxing in your own garden.

    We can’t think of a better way to unwind at the end of the day.

  • The water is filtrated through a cartridge filter that comes with all our tubs.

    We recommend Nature2 mineral chemical/chlorine-free water treatment product together with the ozonator for the best water quality.

  • Generally speaking, around $1-$2 a day depending on usage. Because of our thick insulated tub wall and the high quality New Zealand made heat retention cover that our tubs all come with, our tubs have the same if not cheaper running costs to an acrylic tub and cheaper running costs compared to a full cedar hot tub.

  • Our tubs are made to order but generally we are always busy so the lead times are often around 4 weeks from time of the 50% deposit payment.

    If wanting your tub sooner, we can possibly slot you in earlier according to your timing.

    Please contact us for current lead times.

  • Ideally, the tub should be placed on a firm foundation such as a concrete or wooden pad. Paving stones or gravel/scoria stones with a firm base underneath are also ideal. Please visit our Preparation webpage for more info.

  • A ball valve is located on the bottom outside of the tub wall for easy access to connect your standard garden hose to.

    You are not left with an annoying amount of water at the bottom of the tub because of the placement of the drain fitting on the tub floor.

    If using our recommended Nature2 mineral water treatment product together with the ozonator, it is safe to drain and recycle the dirty tub water onto your garden.

  • We can ship our hot tubs anywhere in New Zealand and Australia. click here to see New Zealand Mainfreight depot prices.

Safety

As all hot water devotees know, one of life’s finest pleasures is lounging in a bubbling tub. Worries and cares seem to melt away and we emerge truly revitalised. With a regard for basic spa pool safety and a dose of common sense, hot tubbing can be a very healthy and rewarding experience.

  • Do not enter a hot tub unless you know that the tub water is healthy and free of harmful micro-organisms.

  • Drinking bird – keep out of hot tub ! Hot water amplifies the effects of alcohol and certain drugs and the result can be dangerous. Consult your doctor regarding the use of prescription drugs. Many people prefer the enjoyment of a chilled soft drink, juice or mineral water while relaxing in their tubs.

  • Soaking for too long in elevated water temperatures can raise body heat to hazardous levels. The National Spa and Pool Institute considers 39C to be the maximum safe water temperature for adults. A safe soaking time should not exceed 30 minutes.

    Some medical authorities have recommended a lower maximum temperature They advise that since infants and children are more sensitive to heat, they should be exposed to water of not more than 35C for no more than 10 minutes. Consult with your family doctor.

    Persons with heart disease, diabetes, high or low blood pressure, or any other serious illness should not enter a hot tub without first consulting with and obtaining the advice of a physician. Keeping a floating thermometer in the water is a good idea, especially if your tub does not have a digital temperature readout indicator.

  • Pregnant women should not enter a hot tub without first consulting with their physician and following the doctor’s advice.

  • Do not allow children to play underwater in a hot tub. A drowning risk can occur when a bather’s hair becomes entangled in a drain cover, as the water and hair are drawn through the drain. Never allow children (or anyone) to play with heads underwater in a spa.

    Regularly have a professional check your hot tub and make sure it is in good, safe working condition and that drain covers are in place and not cracked or missing. Check the drain covers yourself throughout the year.

  • Avoid corded electrical devices around hot tubs NEVER handle a corded phone, radio, TV, hair dryer or any other electrical device while you are around spas or pools, in contact with water, when hands or feet are wet or when barefoot. Locate all electrical outlets a safe distance away from your hot tub, as specified in local building codes.

    Keep electrical devices away from the water, and never place them on the tub edge. If an electrical appliance should fall into the water, or be touched by a bather, electrocution could result.

  • Always use a locked safety cover when the hot tub is not in use. Keep young children away from hot tub unless there is constant adult supervision. Small children are curious and unsupervised hot tubs can be an attraction to them. Make sure that the hot tub cover straps are tight enough to prevent a child from slipping under.

    Make sure your cover is in sound condition. Replace if necessary. As an added precaution, consider installing a pair of extra tie-down straps for more security.

  • Getting in and out of hot tubs with wet, slippery feet can pose a hazard. Consider the addition of sturdy spa steps and a handrail. Keep dry towels handy for feet and hands by installing a towel bar.

    Non-skid surfaces around the parameter of the hot tub are a good idea. Serve snacks and drinks in plastic containers to avoid the possibility of broken glass. Make sure that adequate lighting is provided at ground level, especially if used at night time.

  • It is always wiser (and a lot more fun, we might add!) for adults to soak together. With two or more persons bathing, someone will be there to help if the co-tubber has a problem. Always accompany children.

Preperation

Learn what to consider before installing your hot tub, from choosing the right location and foundation to ensuring service access, power supply, and any required approvals.

  • Start by finding a spot with enough space for the size of tub you’re considering. Think about ease of access for bathers, privacy from neighbours, views, delivery access, and room for future maintenance. A handy tip is to mark out the size of the tub with chalk, rope, or cardboard in different areas of your yard to help you visualise how it will fit.

  • Your hot tub must sit on a flat, stable surface. Depending on your design, this could mean placing it directly on a suitable foundation, or partially/fully surrounding it with a wooden deck. Ensuring the base is properly prepared will help keep your tub secure and level.

  • Yes. Every hot tub has at least one service panel that provides access to the equipment, such as pumps, controls, and heaters. If you are sinking your tub into a deck or placing it flush with the deck surface, create access hatches or trap doors all the way around. This allows service technicians to reach the equipment easily without removing large sections of decking.

  • Relax Hot Tubs require a 10-amp (3 kW heater) power cable on a dedicated line and circuit. The location you choose may depend on how close it is to your home’s electrical panel, as longer distances can increase installation costs. Always consult a qualified electrician to ensure your electrical panel can support the additional load.

  • In most areas, hot tubs are considered portable structures, so building permits or approvals are not usually required. However, requirements can vary by location, so it’s always best to confirm with your local council before installation.

Maintenance

Find answers to common questions about caring for your hot tub, including cleaning, water treatment, and tips to keep everything running smoothly for years to come.

  • Action

    • Check pH levels and adjust if necessary to between 7.2-7.6ppm.
    • Check Alkalinity Levels and adjust if necessary to between 80-140ppm.
  • Action

    • Remove your filter cartridges and clean with a filter cleaner from your pool/spa shop or Napisan works well.
  • Action

    • Add a pipe/hose cleaner from your pool/spa shop to clean the interior pipe work.
    • Run your tub for two hours, drain and flush spa, then thoroughly clean.
  • A line of brown scum can be caused either by excess body fats or when water contaminated with chlorine has been added to your tub.

    Action

    • Add a Chlorine Remover and run the pump on auto.
  • Foaming is usually caused by either incorrect water balance or an excess build up of body fats in the filter cartridge or pipe work.

    Action

    • Add some Anti-Foam to stop the foam from forming.
    • Clean your filter cartridge.

Craft your own

Trusted by you

"Hi Mike, FYI the spa arrived, and we have set it up and used it. Very impressed with the workmanship on the cedar! Also the size is perfect, exactly what we were after! We are very happy with the product, thank you!"

David (Napier)
"
"Hi Mike, FYI the spa arrived, and we have set it up and used it. Very impressed with the workmanship on the cedar! Also the size is perfect, exactly what we were after! We are very happy with the product, thank you!..
"

"We purchased a hot tub in March 2021 and had it transported from Napier to our house in Christchurch without any issues. It was straight forward to set it up and we had it operational within a few hours."

Hugh W (Christchurch)
"
"We purchased a hot tub in March 2021 and had it transported from Napier to our house in Christchurch without any issues. It was straight forward to set it up and we had it operational within a few hours...
I positioned it in our garden and added decking, a cover over the filter / pump and some steps. With the ferns and lights looks impressive at night. About the only maintenance is changing the water and cleaning the filter 4 times a year (at the change of session). About once a year we apply some oil to the cedar. After 4 + years it still looks great. Over this time we have had almost flawless operation. The only issues I’ve had were a leaking light cover and a small leak due to a faulty O ring (this was actually my fault). Both issues I quickly fixed. Relax Hot Tubs have been quick to respond if I had any issues and always very helpful. I highly recommend them."
Hugh W (Christchurch) See more Google Reviews

"This is the second tub we've bought from Mike so it's interesting to see all the changes and improvements. Everything is streamlined and simpler. The wiring up/ connection/ working parts are more straightforward and will be I suspect longer lasting."

Peter F (Auckland)
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"This is the second tub we've bought from Mike so it's interesting to see all the changes and improvements. Everything is streamlined and simpler. The wiring up/ connection/ working parts are more straightforward and will be I suspect longer lasting...
There are wee improvements everywhere, such as the rubber between the steps and the base and the double jets - 8 against the 4 in our earlier (medium sized) tub. The tub was lighter and so easier to maneuver into position. Also as the delivery is now done with a crane it's possible to get it plonked right where you need it I suspect for most people. The finish on the cedar around the rim and steps is less complex and WAY easier to keep clean - there are no cracks for leaves and debris to accumulate in. The new spa sanitizer is definitely a step up. It looks very well overall, and suits the vibe of our house SO well. We're just thrilled (and now have to stain our deck which looks rather tatty against it's elegance and beauty!)"
Peter F (Auckland) See more Google Reviews

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