FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS About Hydro Systems Whirlpool bathtubs What's the difference between acrylic and gel coat tubs? Both are fiberglass bathtubs. The difference is in the outside surface, where the color is. Acrylic tubs are made of a sheet of colored acrylic that is heated and then vacuum formed into a mold. Gel coat tubs get their color from the gelcoat which is sprayed onto the mold like paint. Both tubs have a thick layer of fiberglass sprayed over the colored "skin" to give them strength, impact resistance, and durability. Which one is better for me? It's a matter of personal preference. Both are good. Both are available in all popular colors. The biggest advantage of acrylic is that the color layer is much thicker, much glossier, and easier to keep clean than gelcoat. Gelcoat's advantage is that it can be mixed to custom colors, even for one tub. Both carry the same guarantee, and both are easily repaired if damaged. What are the electrical requirements for a Hydro Systems Whirlpool bathtub? 1.7 HP 110v. Pumps require a dedicated 110v 20 amp GFCI protected electrical circuit.  11/2 HP 110v. Pumps require a dedicated 110v 20 amp GFCI protected electrical circuit. The Optional In Line Heater requires an additional 110v 20 amp GFCI protected electrical circuit. The Optional Blower System requires a dedicated 110v 15 amp GFCI protected electrical circuit. The Optional Fiber Optic Lighting System, Mood Lights, 30 Min. Timer, and Low Water Protection do not require any additional electrical service. Want to know more? What are the weight & structural requirements? As a rule of thumb, 60" tubs with water and a bather will weigh a maximum of 1000 lbs., 66" tubs will weigh a maximum of 1200 lbs., and 72" tubs will weigh a maximum of 1400 lbs. The site where the tub will be installed must provide adequate support for this weight. What's a tile flange and will I need one on my tub? The tile flange goes around the tub deck and sticks up behind the wall tile (or other wall finish). It prevents water from dripping off the deck and onto the floor. Every tub that will be installed against one, two, or three walls should have a tile flange. This is especially critical on tubs that will be used as showers. Want to know more? What size water heater will I need?  As a rule of thumb, the water heater should be at least 2/3 of the capacity of the tub. Can the pump be mounted in a different location? The pump can be mounted as much as eight feet away from the tub. The pipes connecting the pump to the whirlpool system should be straight. The pump must be at the proper height - higher than the suction fitting and lower than the jets, and it should be indoors. Want to Know more? What is the Removable Skirt Option? The skirt, or apron, covers the front of the tub and includes a removable panel for access to the pump, controls, wiring, and the waste & overflow. It is available for most 60", 66", and 72" rectangular tubs, and for the Rincon and Erica corner models. It's standard on the Jessica. Want to Know more? How does the tub work? Fill the tub with water at the desired temperature and get in. The water needs to be at least 1" above the highest jet and at least 1" below all controls (not counting neck jets). If you have neck jets, they should be turned off before starting the whirlpool. The Whirlpool System is turned on and off by the "Soft Touch" control panel. To control the amount of water flowing through the jets, turn the jet escutcheons. Individual jets may be turned off completely. Turning the air control knob adjusts the amount of air mixed into the water flowing through the jets. The direction the jets are pointing is controlled by moving the "eyeball". Optional mood lights and fiber optic lighting have their own controls and work independently from whirlpool with or without water. If you have the optional In Line Heater, it will maintain the temperature of the water in the tub. It starts and stops automatically and requires no separate control. Drain the tub after bathing. How does the optional in-line heater work? The In-Line Heater is totally automatic. When the pump is turned on, water is pumped through the whirlpool system. The water pressure activates a pressure switch inside the heater to turn it on. When the pump is on, the heater is on. When the pump turns off the heater turns off.  The heater is designed to maintain the temperature of the water and has a high-limit cutoff set @104*F The heater has an indicator light which will be lit when the heater is on - it is on the heater itself and not visible without opening the tub's access panel. Want to know more? Who do I call if I need warranty or service? Call the Sales Representative from whom you purchased your tub.  You can also e-mail support@hydrosystem.com or call Hydro Systems Warranty and Service department at (661) 775-0686. For any questions not covered above, or for any questions specific to your application or site, please e-mail sales@hydrosystem.com or call Hydro Systems at (661) 775-0686. We've got answers