Filter Cleaning & Replacement

How do I locate, inspect and clean my filter?

A hot tub filter cleans the water in a unit and also prevents the hot tub pump from getting clogged with both microscopic and large particles that can threaten your hot tub investment. A replaceable hot tub filter (sometimes called a filter cartridge) most likely resembles a cylindrical object with pleated material and plastic caps at either end.

Note: Some hot tubs use multiple filters or filters that are made in two parts. The following advice applies to all portable hot tub filter installations, regardless of configuration. It does not apply to in-ground pool/spa installations. 

There are different types of filters, depending on the make, model and location of your hot tub:

• Filters are located somewhere in the main hot tub water path and are partially visible from inside the unit. You may find the filter under a lid or in a canister, "cradle" or "bucket." If you still can't locate the filter, check your owner's manual. If you don't have an owner's manual, try logging on to the manufacturer's Web site (many hot tub manufacturers post their owner’s manuals and other technical information on their sites).
  
• Before you remove the filter, TURN THE POWER TO YOUR HOT TUB OFF . You can easily do this via your hot tub’s main circuit breaker switch. Aside from general safety, turning the power off will prevent debris from being accidentally sucked into the pump should your hot tub start a normal cleaning cycle while the filter is removed.
  
  Note: We recommend keeping an extra filter on hand to replace the old one while waiting for your new filter to arrive. This will allow you to enjoy your hot tub without having to wait for a replacement.
  
• Filters can be removed in several ways. Here again, it's best to check your owner's manual or manufacturer's Web site for removal instructions. Tip: If your filter has one threaded end that is screwed in place, it will unlock in a counter-clockwise motion.
  
• After you’ve inspected your filter, be sure to clean it thoroughly. Also clean and remove all debris in and around the filter holder. The filter can be cleaned with a variety of specialized filter cleaning products, but overnight soaking products require the least amount of work. Choose a product, simply soak the filter overnight and rinse it thoroughly with a hose. Remember to shut off the electricity while your filter is out of the hot tub to avoid getting air and impurities trapped in the system. If the filter is in good shape, secure it back into the holder, turn the power on and run the unit on high for a couple of minutes—this will purge any air that may have gotten into the system. Note that some hot tubs may shut down completely if you don't run the tub on high before transitioning into a programmed cleaning cycle. If the filter is cracked, collapsed, really limp or otherwise broken, do not operate your hot tub until you get a new filter (see “When Should I Replace My Filter?” below).

When Should I Replace My Filter?
Did you know a dirty filter could lead to a voided warranty? Or that the most expensive hot tub service calls can be traced back to poor filter maintenance? It is recommended that you change your filter at least once a year, or perhaps sooner if necessary. There are several telltale signs that you need a new filter:

• Regardless of age, if you can't get the filter reasonably clean, it's time to replace it.
  
• If the filter element (the center part) feels loose, discard the filter.
  
• If the center element is ripped, bent or collapsed or the caps on the end are brittle, cracked or very discolored, toss the filter into the trash.
  
• We recommend yearly filter replacement but if your hot tub filter is more than two years old, you should toss it no matter how it may look. Since a hot tub filter is made of a fibrous material that gradually loosens over time, larger spaces develop that can suck in particles to clog up the pump. Hot tub pumps are far more expensive than filters, so consider it a law: Two years and it's hasta la vista, baby!