For the last few months, I have only been posting show notes. But I’ve been working (actually, mostly just “thinking”) on a new DIY project that fits the general “OrthoAnalytika” motif***
The DIY Crunchy Hot Tub
I love hot tubs, and the idea of soaking in one while the New England cold and wet season sets a chill deep into every bone is one of those persistent logosmoi that I haven’t been able to bat away with any degree of consistency (“I don’t just WANT a hot tub… I NEED a hot tub.”).
One way to go would be to replace our bathtub with something deeper (like this double slipper claw tub), but we don’t really have the room or the structural support for such a thing (the bathroom sits over the porch and already lists a bit towards the street).
Another way (that would be really cool) would be to get this completely crunchy wood-fired hot tub. And if they were giving them away for free, we’d probably have one gracing the rectory porch right now.
A less expensive option would be to build a portable soaker that fits right into the bathtub. This is really cool and crunchy, and almost got me to move from contemplation to hammering. Problem is, I just don’t trust my construction skills to hold water (a failed childhood attempt at boat-building still keeps me honest).
Picking the Tub
What I decided to tinker with instead is a sort of red-neck hot tub: I am converting a stock tank (i.e. something made for livestock to drink from). The first two choices to make if you go this route are whether to go with plastic or metal; and what size and shape you want. I went for a plastic 100 gallon model by Behlen. At 2x2x4, it’s about as small as you’d want for two (very close) people. The 2x2x3 would probably work for a single soaker (and might even fit in your bathtub!). I got this size because I’m really the only one in this household who enjoys becoming human soup (but I still wanted to leave open the option for my Pani to join me on occasion). There is pretty much an unlimited variation of sizes and shapes, so it is fun to “shop around”.
How to heat it? My short-term solution
Until I get it to look like something that didn’t come out of the Sanford’s garage, the tub will be in the basement (which guarantees a certain level of quite: our kids think the basement is REALLY creepy). While it is down there, I’ll be working on insulating it, setting up a pump and filter system, and building a case for it. Because the basement used to be where the washing machine was (the parish moved the washer and drier up onto the second floor – VERY nice!), it has a hot water tap and drain. I’ll also be experimenting with a large aquarium heater that we use to warm up the the baptismal font (it claims to be able to heat water into the high 90’s – this won’t make soup, but it might get/keep the water warm enough to be relaxing).
UPDATE (11/1/2010): The aquarium heater would only get the water up to about 94F. This bucket heater gets it HOTTER (but, unlike the aquarium one, does require that you keep an eye on it).
Oh – and a big part of heat is heat-retention. I plan on wrapping it with insulation and putting an insulated top on it. This works for both.
UPDATE (11/1/2010): The insulation works pretty good.
How to heat it? Possible long-term solutions
At our old house in the woods, heating it would have been a no-brainer: a Chofu wood heater would’ve been perfect. But this will need to (eventually) fit in/on our side porch, and the combination of a wooden house and a wood stove make certain (wise!) members of my household very nervous. I won’t say this one is completely out of the running, but it is running second (at least in my dreams) to this, even crunchier method:
A solar heated hot tub. This might keep it from looking too ghetto. Remember, this is New England, so they’re not used to practical things like old washers and cars being used for front-yard storage… heck, we’re even reluctant to use the nice clotheslines set up in the backyard (i.e. between the house, the hall, and the church) for fear of causing offense (we currently use them to hang birdfeeders). The only downside for solar (apart from curb appeal) is that it would need to be augmented with something else during the Winter. SO maybe the Chofu is back on top … at least until global warming turns Rhode Island into a tropical paradise.
The other main heating options are propane and electric. While it would be the easiest, I don’t like electric (at least without a meter) in part because I don’t like the idea of the parish paying for my guilty pleasure.
How to keep it clean? My short term solution
In the short term (i.e. until my allowance builds back high enough to buy more stuff), I’ll just add dichlor every once in while and empty it when it gets at all funky.
UPDATE (11/16/2010): I have been soaking pretty much everyday. This requires emptying it out once week. I use a manual pump to get it to the drain pipe.
How to keep it clean? Possible long term solutions
If you don’t mind using electricity, then a cheap pool filter would probably work as a filter. I’m trying to avoid this, so I was thinking of setting up a manual pump and filter. Once I set up a heater, I’d plan on hooking it up on the clean side of the filter. The heat ratings of these things are borderline – we’ll see if that’s a big deal once I add the heater. Until then, I’ll just run/pump the filter when it is cold. There are also ionizers and the like that sound pretty neat, but we’ll just play this one by ear. The tub is relatively small and the used water is “gray”, so it can be recycled easily enough.
UPDATE (11/1/2010): I use an Intex small pool filter. This required cutting two holes in the tub and fitting the hoses.
*** The general “OrthoAnalytika” motif includes anything crunchy, Orthodox, or remotely-interesting-to-the-host (this last one is pretty broad and random).
