Hot Tub Filters

How to Measure your Hot Tub Filter

Measuring your filter cartridge is not difficult. Please follow the steps below to be sure that you get the correct measurements.

Remember that all measurements may vary up to 1/4" (60mm) due to expansion/shrinkage of the cartridge over time.  Also, the most important consideration is to ensure that the thread is correct. If the other dimensions of the filter are slightly different to the ones that you have then, as long as they will actually fit in the filter compartment, that isn't a problem.

	1. Measure the Diameter (Width) of the Filter Measure the outside diameter (width) of the filter cartridge (in inches or centimetres), that is the maximum distance from one side to the other, including any 'over-hang' of the plastic end caps which might make the filter wider than the actual filter element itself.
	2. Measure the Length of the Filter Measure the length of the filter cartridge from end cap to end cap. the length should include the thickness of the plastic end caps, but do not include handles or screw threads in the length measurement.
	3. Measure the diameter of the Hole Does the filter have an open hole going all the way through it from top to bottom or does it just have a hole at the bottom with a closed top or handle? In either case you will need to measure the inner diameter of the hole, excluding any taper.
	4. Identify and Measure the Thread If the filter has a thread, identify which type of thread it is. There are only two types of male thread commonly fitted to hot tub filters: The most usual type of thread is fine and tightly spaced with relatively sharp edges. these are called MPT or male pipe threads. Fine threaded filters are usually found in 3 nominal sizes: either 1 1/2", 2" or 3 1/2" MPT. The alternative is a very coarse, widely spaced, flat-edge thread and again these are usually found in 2 nominal sizes: 1 1/2" or 2" SAE. [Please note that it is actually the diameter of the thread shank that is measured, so for example: a 1 1/2" MPT or SAE thread actually measures 1 3/4" outside diameter and a 2" MPT or SAE thread measures 2 1/4" outside diameter!]
	5. Does the Filter have a Removable Bezel? Some Pleatco brand filters have a removable male pipe thread fitting which slip-fits into a 1.9" hole in the filter bottom. You may need to unscrew the male pipe fitting from your spa's filter housing if it did not come out with the old filter (many hot tub owners are not even aware that the fitting is still in there). Most other brand filters are molded as a single piece, so that the threaded fitting comes off with the filter
	6. Are there Two Filters available that Appear to be the Same Size? If you are still having trouble identifying the correct filter because there appear to be two available of the same size then the difference will probably be the filtration area available within the filter.  If you don't know which filter you need then the only way to be sure is it count the number of pleats!  It might take a while but the pleat count determines the filtration area of the filter and so enables you to distinguish between filters with the same dimensions. When you view the detailed information about each filter the pleat count is usually given.

Why Buy a Microban Filter?

Many of our hot tub filters are supplied with an optional Microban® coating. Microban® antimicrobial protection inhibits the growth of bacteria and reduces staining, odours and degradation of the filter surfaces. Microban® hot tub filters are easier to clean and also stay fresher between cleanings.  

Microban protection makes filters easier to clean and keeps them cleaner and fresher between cleanings

The high temperatures and a wet environment of a hot tub makes unprotected filter surfaces a target for the growth of bacteria. Our microban filter cartridges are manufactured from Reemay Advantage™ filter media with built-in Microban® antimicrobial product protection. This material combines 100% polyester synthetic fibres with Microban antimicrobial technology to filter out contaminants and inhibit the growth of bacteria - making sure your water is always perfectly clear, clean, and pure.

Microban protection continuously fights the growth of damaging microbes such as, bacteria, mould and mildew that cause stains, odours and product degradation

Microban Hot Tub Filters Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Microban® antimicrobial product protection?

Microban® technology is built-in antimicrobial protection for solid products, coatings and fibres. It gives products an added level of protection against damaging microbes such as, bacteria, mould and mildew that can cause stains, odours and product deterioration.

2. How do products with Microban® antimicrobial protection work?

Microban® protection is built-in to the product during the manufacturing process. When microbes come in contact with the product surface, Microban protection penetrates the cell wall of the microorganism and disrupts cell functions disabling the microorganism’s ability to function, grow and reproduce.

3. What types of microorganisms does Microban® protection work against?

It is effective against most common bacteria, yeasts, moulds and fungi, but Microban technology is not designed to protect users from disease causing microorganisms.

4. Does Microban® protection begin working immediately?

Microban® protection begins to work as soon as the microorganism comes into contact with the product surface. It then works continuously to maintain a consistently lower bio-burden than would be expected on a product without Microban® antimicrobial protection.

5. How long does Microban® protection work for?

The Microban® antimicrobial product is compounded into the fibers at the time of production which makes for a sustained and even release of antimicrobial protection throughout the life of the filter.

6. Does the use of antimicrobials cause resistant strains of microorganisms?

No. After more than 30 years of use in numerous consumer, industrial and medical applications around the world, there has been no evidence of resistant strain development.

NB. Microban filters are not a substitute for normal water treatment, you still need to use a sanitizer!

How to Clean your Hot Tub Filter

Cleaning your hot tub filters properly improves their efficiency, helps maintain sparkling water and makes them last longer - so costs you less money in the long term.

You should establish a routine cleaning cycle based on the amount of hot tub use and the sanitiser you use. Cleaning hot tub filters every 2 to 4 weeks is the most usual routine.  If you use eco3spa you will find that monthly cleaning will probably be sufficient. If you use Aquafinesse you will probably find that you need to clean your filters at least weekly.

• Rinse to remove debris. Remove the cartridge from the filter housing and use a garden hose, or a tap, to wash down the filter element.  Work from the top of the filter, with the water flow at a 45 degree angle, and wash all pleats, ensuring that you remove any debris stuck between the pleats.  You can purchase various filter cleaning tools to help with this job.
• Spray or soak to remove grease and scale. Soak the filter cartridges for at least 1 hour (overnight is preferable) in a clean, suitable size bucket using a proprietary filter cleaner solution. Alternatively, use a spray-on filter cleaner and rinse very thoroughly after 10 minutes. Powder filter cleaners are much better at removing scale than sprays or liquids.
• Rinse the cartridge again after cleaning to remove any traces of cleaning solution. Liquid and spray cleaners can cause foaming if not thoroughly rinsed off the filter surface.
• If you want to make it really easy, place the filters on the bottom shelf of an empty dishwasher and sprinkle all over with a powdered filter cleaner. Run the machine on a standard 50 degree wash cycle.
• Dry. Always dry the filters before reinserting them back into your hot tub. This ensures that the tiny holes in the filtration material shrink back to their original size. Let them dry naturally, don't use artificial heat. It is a good idea to keep a spare set of filters and rotate them at each clean so that they can dry completely before reuse.
• Finally, any grit or debris inside your filter compartment can easily be removed with a wet and dry vacuum or a specialised spa vacuum.