Spa, Hot Tub or Swimming Pool Filter Cartridge Cleaning Instructions and Advice
Commercial or Residential
Filter cartridges utilize the debris they collect as an aid to improve filtration. As a result, cleaning too often does not allow the filter to work at optimum filtration efficiency, while not cleaning often enough will shorten the life of a cartridge.
For Pools and Spas, establish a routine cartridge cleaning schedule based on the amount of usage and bather load. General Hot Tub use would consist of cleaning filters every 3 months. Swimming Pools would be based on filter pressure gauge readings. Another way to tell is the water pressure from the jets is not as powerful or the heater stops due to inadequate water flow. Some spas would show an error code of "FLO, FLC, FL, FL1, PS or blinking lights" on the control panel if not heating.
Do not allow dirty filter cartridges (removed for cleaning) to dry. The cleaning process will not be as effective. If removed for a later cleaning date, soak in a container of water until ready. Never Scrub the pleats and do not use a pressure washer.
Spa Tec recommends having two sets of filter cartridges on hand one set installed and the other set ready to install. We do not recommend
running the system without filter cartridges installed.
Filter Cartridges should be replaced if the ends are cracked or the pleats are frayed, torn or stained excessively after following proper cleaning instructions.
Filter Cartridges can last many years if cleaned properly.
For Pools and Spas, establish a routine cartridge cleaning schedule based on the amount of usage and bather load. General Hot Tub use would consist of cleaning filters every 3 months. Swimming Pools would be based on filter pressure gauge readings. Another way to tell is the water pressure from the jets is not as powerful or the heater stops due to inadequate water flow. Some spas would show an error code of "FLO, FLC, FL, FL1, PS or blinking lights" on the control panel if not heating.
Do not allow dirty filter cartridges (removed for cleaning) to dry. The cleaning process will not be as effective. If removed for a later cleaning date, soak in a container of water until ready. Never Scrub the pleats and do not use a pressure washer.
Spa Tec recommends having two sets of filter cartridges on hand one set installed and the other set ready to install. We do not recommend
running the system without filter cartridges installed.
Filter Cartridges should be replaced if the ends are cracked or the pleats are frayed, torn or stained excessively after following proper cleaning instructions.
Filter Cartridges can last many years if cleaned properly.
Spa Tec's Home Remedy for C leaning Spa, Hot Tub or Swimming Pool filter C artridges that use Chlorine or Bromine
1. Remove the cartridge from the filter housing following the manufacture's instructions. Do Not allow filter cartridge to dry before proceeding.
2. Use a garden hose with a straight flow nozzle to wash down the filter element. Work from the top down, holding the nozzle at a 45 degree angle, and spray all the pleats with emphasis between the pleats.
3. Have a suitable plastic container available to immerse the entire filter cartridge(s) under cleaning mixture.
Mixture: One cup of automatic dishwasher detergent like Cascade with Four Tablespoons of TSP(Tri-Sodium Phosphate)*see definition below, with Five gallons of hot water.
4. Immerse filter cartridge completely in cleaning solution and hold it under with a suitable object. Allow to soak for 24 hours or more.
5. Thoroughly spray out the filter cartridge with water to remove waste and cleaning solution. Note: Do Not scrub the pleats or use a pressure washer it will damage the filter cartridge. Inspect the filter for torn pleats or cracked end caps as you proceed, replace if necessary. This solution removes Organic Waste: Body Oils, Lotions, soaps and other contaminants. Do Not dispose of mixed cleaning solution onto lawn or vegetation.
If the filter cartridge meets your approval re install or allow to dry thoroughly for the next use.
If the filter cartridge is stained orange, black or has a white crusting after using the above method, proceed with the next steps to remove minerals.
1. Read Warning below before proceeding.
2. Mix 3/4 cup of *Muratic Acid per one gallon of water in a suitable container large enough to immerse filter cartridge(s).
3. Immerse filter cartridge completely in cleaning solution and hold it under with a suitable object. Allow to soak for 24 hours or more.
4. Thoroughly spray out the filter cartridge with water to remove minerals and cleaning solution.
If the filter cartridge meets your approval re install or allow to dry thoroughly for the next use.
WARNING: Failure to remove all oils and cleaning solution from the first process before acid soaking will result in a permanent restriction of water flow and cause premature cartridge failure. Wear rubber gloves when handling acid or acid soaked filter cartridge(s). Do Not add water to acid, add acid to water. Do Not dispose of mixed cleaning solutions onto lawn or any vegetation.
* TSP and Muratic Acid can be found in the paint section of better supplied stores.
If Baquacil® is used as a sanitizer.
The filter element must be cleaned with Baqua Clean® before any cartridge cleaner is used.
Unlike chlorine which oxidizes the bacteria in the water, the active ingredient in biguanide systems, polyhexamethylene biqunaide (PHMB), destroys the bacterial cells. PHMB locates and binds to the bacterial surfaces, and then attacks the outer bacterial wall. Once this wall has been compromised, the inner cell membrane (the cytoplasmic membrane) is destroyed. This destruction allows the cell contents to disperse into their surrounding where they are further broken down into their elemental parts by a non-chlorine oxidizer such as Leisure Time BoostTM or Baqua Shock®.
In addition, Leisure Time BoostTM and Baqua Shock® are mild coagulants which combine bacterial cells and other small particles in the environment into particles large enough to be trapped by the filter. The resulting deposit is a gray sticky film on the media which can only be removed with Leisure Time Filter CleanTM or Baqua Clean®. If trisodium phosphate (TSP) or any TSP type cleaner is used prior to stripping the film, the cleaner and the gray film will combine to form a gum-like substance. Once this occurs, the substance cannot be removed from the media and the filter cartridge must be replaced.
Following these guidelines is a recommendation by our experience with filter cartridge cleaning. Please read this link: Spa Tec's Web Site Information and Directions Disclaimer before proceeding with alterations to these directions.
2. Use a garden hose with a straight flow nozzle to wash down the filter element. Work from the top down, holding the nozzle at a 45 degree angle, and spray all the pleats with emphasis between the pleats.
3. Have a suitable plastic container available to immerse the entire filter cartridge(s) under cleaning mixture.
Mixture: One cup of automatic dishwasher detergent like Cascade with Four Tablespoons of TSP(Tri-Sodium Phosphate)*see definition below, with Five gallons of hot water.
4. Immerse filter cartridge completely in cleaning solution and hold it under with a suitable object. Allow to soak for 24 hours or more.
5. Thoroughly spray out the filter cartridge with water to remove waste and cleaning solution. Note: Do Not scrub the pleats or use a pressure washer it will damage the filter cartridge. Inspect the filter for torn pleats or cracked end caps as you proceed, replace if necessary. This solution removes Organic Waste: Body Oils, Lotions, soaps and other contaminants. Do Not dispose of mixed cleaning solution onto lawn or vegetation.
If the filter cartridge meets your approval re install or allow to dry thoroughly for the next use.
If the filter cartridge is stained orange, black or has a white crusting after using the above method, proceed with the next steps to remove minerals.
1. Read Warning below before proceeding.
2. Mix 3/4 cup of *Muratic Acid per one gallon of water in a suitable container large enough to immerse filter cartridge(s).
3. Immerse filter cartridge completely in cleaning solution and hold it under with a suitable object. Allow to soak for 24 hours or more.
4. Thoroughly spray out the filter cartridge with water to remove minerals and cleaning solution.
If the filter cartridge meets your approval re install or allow to dry thoroughly for the next use.
WARNING: Failure to remove all oils and cleaning solution from the first process before acid soaking will result in a permanent restriction of water flow and cause premature cartridge failure. Wear rubber gloves when handling acid or acid soaked filter cartridge(s). Do Not add water to acid, add acid to water. Do Not dispose of mixed cleaning solutions onto lawn or any vegetation.
* TSP and Muratic Acid can be found in the paint section of better supplied stores.
If Baquacil® is used as a sanitizer.
The filter element must be cleaned with Baqua Clean® before any cartridge cleaner is used.
Unlike chlorine which oxidizes the bacteria in the water, the active ingredient in biguanide systems, polyhexamethylene biqunaide (PHMB), destroys the bacterial cells. PHMB locates and binds to the bacterial surfaces, and then attacks the outer bacterial wall. Once this wall has been compromised, the inner cell membrane (the cytoplasmic membrane) is destroyed. This destruction allows the cell contents to disperse into their surrounding where they are further broken down into their elemental parts by a non-chlorine oxidizer such as Leisure Time BoostTM or Baqua Shock®.
In addition, Leisure Time BoostTM and Baqua Shock® are mild coagulants which combine bacterial cells and other small particles in the environment into particles large enough to be trapped by the filter. The resulting deposit is a gray sticky film on the media which can only be removed with Leisure Time Filter CleanTM or Baqua Clean®. If trisodium phosphate (TSP) or any TSP type cleaner is used prior to stripping the film, the cleaner and the gray film will combine to form a gum-like substance. Once this occurs, the substance cannot be removed from the media and the filter cartridge must be replaced.
Following these guidelines is a recommendation by our experience with filter cartridge cleaning. Please read this link: Spa Tec's Web Site Information and Directions Disclaimer before proceeding with alterations to these directions.