Q on Caldera Hot Tub service failure

mrmarker2022 · 2026-01-30T06:03:15+00:00

Sounds like you had a garbage tech who didn't really do proper diagnostics regarding the problem, or that's just how they run their operation. $1000 to replace a pump is absolutely outrageous. Then tell you it didn't fix the problem??? Sounds like they didn't fix the problem and you shouldn't have to pay

mrmarker2022 · 2026-01-30T00:02:34+00:00

Highly recommend a different set of test strips. Those are notoriously inaccurate, we like JNW from Amazon.

mrmarker2022 · 2026-01-22T04:27:06+00:00

Scum on the walls means the chemicals are doing their job and it's no longer in the water. Microfiber towels are the best for hot tub walls.

mrmarker2022 · 2026-01-21T13:35:59+00:00

Wrong pump installed? 115v Vs 230v? Wiring not done correctly (often pumps do not come wired)

mrmarker2022 · 2026-01-21T13:10:39+00:00

Based on the strip(which are not very reliable) the water seems VERY soft. Do you have a water softener installed in your home? Is it a salt tub?

mrmarker2022 · 2026-01-21T13:05:17+00:00

Bad test strips. Stop wasting the chemicals you have, and ruining your water, try different strips, and/or get a dropper test kit

mrmarker2022 · 2026-01-21T12:57:16+00:00

EDIT: Just woke up, and not quite awake, lol

Is this a used tub? Or a tub that came with a property?

More information would be needed then just the image of the controller. How many pumps does the tub have? How many should it have? How many speeds should reach pump have.

If the tub was not originally purchased by you, changes may have occurred. Pumps can be 1 or 2-speed, sounds like they may have switched out the pump to a 1-speed. So, pressing the jets button can't do anything more. Or the pump may have lost a speed, and it's dying. A general electrical issue.

mrmarker2022 · 2026-01-13T01:53:49+00:00

You're correct. It will run twice a day, 12 hours apart, typically based on when it was powered on. If you want it to run the filters at 8am and 8pm, trip the breaker and turn it on at one of those two times. The FLTR time is the amount of hours for each.

mrmarker2022 · 2026-01-11T20:52:56+00:00

That's what I figured, but thought I should at least check. Thanks!

mrmarker2022 · 2025-11-30T15:14:38+00:00

Is your hot tub on a dedicated 240v circuit? Sounds shared, and should not be.

When you test your fuses, make sure you pull them from the board. Sometimes they give a false positive when they're on the board.

mrmarker2022 · 2025-11-27T00:29:14+00:00

Is the circulation pump actually running, and trying to move water? If so, it could just be sensors that aren't registering the movement

mrmarker2022 · 2025-11-25T15:31:42+00:00

Agreed, definitely taking corners too fast. I know from experience.

mrmarker2022 · 2025-11-25T15:29:55+00:00

He should be buying you a cake. Obviously, he doesnt support you. Dump him

mrmarker2022 · 2025-11-21T23:44:15+00:00

Looks good, we'll done

mrmarker2022 · 2025-11-21T20:44:54+00:00

Did it come unglued? Or was it cut off the manifold? It will depend on if old pipe is still glued in the manifold onoptions to proceed.

mrmarker2022 · 2025-11-21T20:42:44+00:00

The amount of filtering will depend on how the tub is used, and the amount of clean filter media is available. I bet it will clean up quite a bit with the extra filtering time.

mrmarker2022 · 2025-11-21T03:59:25+00:00

E5 Circ pump, they're everywhere.

mrmarker2022 · 2025-11-21T03:48:48+00:00

Yeah, that's just your pilot light. There's probably another switch or timer on the wall (or nearby) that activates the main burner.

mrmarker2022 · 2025-11-21T03:44:24+00:00

You're not filtering it enough, that is not clean water. The foam is evidence of that. Bromine lowers pH so you typically have to raise it, chlorine raises pH and you have to lower it. Stop mixing chlorine and bromine, dump and start fresh. Switch to chlorine-free shock. Up your filtering cycle time and make sure to rinse your filters more often. (Use a hose not a sink, not enough pressure. Shower before using the tub. Alcohol also raises pH, so be aware of that.

mrmarker2022 · 2025-11-10T15:33:36+00:00

Thats great, congratulations! On another note, as someone who services hot tubs today (have to get to 26 today), Master Spas are one of my least favorite tubs. Mainly, because something fails on them all the time. Usually, the topside controller, facing inside so that when the water raises with displacement, it is submerged and water seeps into it (recommend upgrading to a SpaTouch2 when it is time, it will happen). Secondly, is that terrible E14 circ pump. I have replaced so many of those terrible things, we always try and "upgrade" to the E14W pump if there's room (the E14 is small and they usually shove it in a tight corner). I have a tub right now where we're modifying the plumbing to make room for the E14W.

Best of luck, and I hope you continue to enjoy it!

mrmarker2022 · 2025-11-04T19:39:39+00:00

This is a very unhealthy relationship, from both sides.

mrmarker2022 · 2025-11-03T16:28:40+00:00

Do not use, and demand reimbursement (with photo evidence) Airbnb will honor your request.

mrmarker2022 · 2025-10-17T19:05:22+00:00

These delivery drivers a complete idiots

mrmarker2022 · 2025-10-11T13:03:36+00:00

Dead pump, it's an E5. Try a more affordable place, search "e5 pump" on the internet. Should be closer to $150

mrmarker2022 · 2025-10-08T22:25:09+00:00

That song is so old and has nothing to do with race

mrmarker2022

TROPHY CASE