Installing acrylic / fibreglass bath

Originally Posted by Brettus

Have pulled out old cast iron bath and are currently installing a new one of same size but its an acrylic / fibreglass one. I have a couple of querries about the installation of these:
1. Where it is rebated into the stud wall, is this adequate support for that side of the bath (ie: stud every 450mm along the length of bath) or do they have to have support right along the side, which would require a batten built into the stud wall??
2. For the sand & cement mix under the tub, does this need an adetive such as bondcrete so the tub actually sticks to the mortar?

I have read the installation instructions but they have conflicting info and prefer hearing from peoples experience on installations.
Cheers

for the support question it a bit mick or mike really ,supported in studs every 450mm is more than adequate ,remember that the bath is not being supported (hanging)from the studs its sitting in a bed of mortar,
the bed question is to mix sand and cement together add water to the point that you can push your palm into it without having to force the issue,bed this up under the bath then place the bath into place ,you may have to push the bed under the bath to get a good moulding from the bath bottom ,

Originally Posted by scottyb

Once you have packed the mortar bed under the bath base (don't pack too hard or you may 'bubble' up the base) you should half fill the batch with water and leave for several hours. This ensures the bath beds into the mortar giving a perfect fit.

this way will give a false bottom effect and when there is no water in the bath the tub will float above the bed ,this will be evident in your sealing grout line between bath and tiles

Originally Posted by arms

this way will give a false bottom effect and when there is no water in the bath the tub will float above the bed ,this will be evident in your sealing grout line between bath and tiles

I've heard a similar thing.

Also in the instructions that came with the bath I installed a little while ago it recommended NOT putting water in the bath when installing as having the "gold" spa fittings submerged for any extended period could cause corrosion of the fittings!!! (note: ours bath was just a standard bath - so no fittings).