Filters

[Buzzerd]

Hey all,
I'm pretty new to the spa world and I have a Tiger River Sumaltran.  How often do I change the filter?  I know I have to change the purifier every 4 months but what about the actual filter?  Also, any good places to purchase them?
Thanks in advance.
Buzz

[Chas]

Buy the filter where you bought the spa.

The thing should last for two or three years. More if you clean it with a filter cleaner once a year, maybe twice.

[hottub.pool_boy]

ditto.

[hottubdan]

Double ditto.  However, I have some customers replacing annually.

[TN__HOT_TUB]

How often should the filter be cleaned?
How do you clean the filters?
Is there a difference between cleaning the filters and rinsing them off?

[hottubdan]

How often should the filter be cleaned?
How do you clean the filters?
Is there a difference between cleaning the filters and rinsing them off?

You should follow your manufacturer's and your dealer's recommendations.  The more you chemically clean them, the longer they will last.

[drewstar]

How often should the filter be cleaned?
How do you clean the filters?
Is there a difference between cleaning the filters and rinsing them off?

Based on using the tub 2-3 times a week, I clean my filter once a month.   It's seems to be pretty mucn in line with what others are doing.   If you are using the tub more you might have to step it up and clean more often. If the tub is barely used, you might get away with cleaning less.  It wil be a bit of trial an error.

Cleaning is different than rinsing.  

Rinsing is just that, rinsing with water. This is good for removiing debris from the filter pleats and rinsing out any soap or that may have gotten absorbed by the material.

Cleaning is done with a filter cleaning soultion and will break down any grease and oil in the filter material (water wont do this).

I have a spare filter that I keep clean. When the filter in the tub is due for a cleaning, I plop the clean one in and take the dirty one out  and soak it over night in a bucket of water and filter cleaner.   I rinse the filter thoroughly with a hand held shower nozzle. Rinse, rinse, rinse.   I put it away for next month to switch out with the dirty one.

[Drewski]

How often should the filter be cleaned?
How do you clean the filters?
Is there a difference between cleaning the filters and rinsing them off?

Remembering a previous discussion??......??

Drewski

[Drewski]

Hey all,
I'm pretty new to the spa world and I have a Tiger River Sumaltran...  Also, any good places to purchase them?
Buzz

Is this your filter?

Drewski

[The_real_Clown_Shoes]

What everyone else said.

Wait for your dealer to put filters on sale (most dealers tend to do this in April or October) and then get one or two of them.

Should cost you 100 bucks or so on a sale price, but it isn't like they're going to get any cheaper.

[anne]

The thing should last for two or three years. More if you clean it with a filter cleaner once a year, maybe twice.

Question: Are some filters more "disposable" than others? For example, there are the Micropure ones: truely NOT washable, just use for 3-5 months, toss out. And above Chas refers to ones that last a few years. The Unicel filter I have (at the moment) supposedly can be washed/rinsed a "few times" but is recommended to be tossed out and replaced after 2 tub fills, or 6-8 months.

Are these of different material? Not to dwell on micron ratings, but are some of these "better" than others?  

[hymbaw]

The Unicel filter I have (at the moment) supposedly can be washed/rinsed a "few times" but is recommended to be tossed out and replaced after 2 tub fills, or 6-8 months. 

Anne,
Did your dealer tell you that? Remember he sells them From my experience Unicel filters are as good as quality as an OEM filter. Clean (with filter cleaner/degreaser) once every 4 - 6 weeks and you should get 2 - 3 years.

[Spatech_tuo]

 The Unicel filter I have (at the moment) supposedly can be washed/rinsed a "few times" but is recommended to be tossed out and replaced after 2 tub fills, or 6-8 months.

  

Anne,
I think that recommendation is probably coming from Unicel, the people who make the filters and want you to keep buying them. That filter should last you 2-4 years. It shouldn't be thought of as a disposable filter and there is no need to toss them away after 2 refills as you'll just be tossing $$ away if you do so.

[anne]

Well now that is awfully nice to know! Yes, the little insert that came with it said clean "as needed" and my dealer said that the company recommends replacement after 2 tub-fulls.

[luvin_tubin_sqezin]

Anne,
I think that recommendation is probably coming from Unicel, the people who make the filters and want you to keep buying them. That filter should last you 2-4 years. It shouldn't be thought of as a disposable filter and there is no need to toss them away after 2 refills as you'll just be tossing $$ away if you do so.

LOL!  I agree....just like oil changes in your car.  When you go in and have it done, they mark down the next change in 3k miles when in reality it isn't needed that soon.  Every 5 or 6k is fine.  Same diff.