Hot Tub Forum

Original => Hot Tub Forum => Topic started by: doodoo on September 28, 2004, 12:05:22 pm

Title: Cleaning the filters
Post by: doodoo on September 28, 2004, 12:05:22 pm
I was doing my monthly ritual last night (no doubt with the crowd on this forum such a statement is bound to produce interesting comments)

Anyways, I did the usual, let the filter soak overnight in a solution from the dealer, and rinsed off extremely well.  I noticed that the filter was clean and white as usual but then took a peek in between the pleats.  WOAH!!!  :o  I could not believe the amount of material - hair, dirt, grass, etc.... - at the bottom of each pleat.  Short of opening each pleat up and sparying it clean is there a way to do that or should I not worry about it?

I have the Sundance Optima which has two filters, a samller disposable and a pleated re-usable filter. I want to make certain that I can get as much life out of the pleated filter as possible.  Any thoughts??

Title: Re: Cleaning the filters
Post by: PPOL on September 28, 2004, 01:11:05 pm
d00d00-

Usually try and hit the filter with a hose sprayer in a spinning motion to get all that stuff out of the pleats before soaking over night in filter cleaner.  

After soaking over night, hit it again with a hose to rid the filter of the chemicals that are in the filter cleaner to avoid leaving some acids that will lower your pH when you place it back into operation.

Look into getting extra filters to "rotate" the filters out so you can enjoy the spa all the time  ;D

Good Luck

Neil O'Donovan
Phoenix Park Outdoor Living
Wilmington, NC
Title: Re: Cleaning the filters
Post by: doodoo on September 28, 2004, 01:45:04 pm
Should've mentioned that I do have two pleated filters that I rotate. So one sits out a month 'resting' .

I do hose it off very well before letting it sit on a shelf till the next use, I was just surprised about the amount of gunk at the bottom of the pleat. All of the oils are off, this is more material peices that cannot slip off or dissolve. I guess trying to use the hose in the pleat may help. Maybe centrifuge the thing or open each pleat and use the hose in the pleat. Do other do this?
Title: Re: Cleaning the filters
Post by: tony on September 28, 2004, 02:58:32 pm
I also just did my monthly filter change on my optima.  I just hose thoroughly with a spray nozzle going from top to bottom while slowly spinning the filter.  Then I flip filter over and do the same.  I generally clean in between the pleats pretty good without having to "open them up."  I then will place the filter in the filter flask with solution and leave it there at least over night.  I then thoroughly rinse off in the same manner and store it till next change.
Title: Re: Cleaning the filters
Post by: r100rs on September 29, 2004, 04:29:40 am
You could also try high pressure air.  Either from an air compressor or a reversible shop vac.

r100rs
Title: Re: Cleaning the filters
Post by: Tubber on September 29, 2004, 06:50:46 am
Air is not recommended. Check your local dealer to see if they have an Algea Bugger. It's a wand that attaches to your hoes with a brush attachment and a fine direct stream attachment that works great on pleated filters gets in the pleats nicely. You could also look into a spinner to sit your filter on when cleaning. It is simply an upright pole attached to a base to sit the filter on so it does not fall off when you hit it with all that water pressure.

Your absolutly right doodoo, the better you take care of those filters the longer they will last and better they will perform.
Title: Re: Cleaning the filters
Post by: Roborph on September 29, 2004, 03:10:12 pm
 I've got a j-370 and I believe it has similar filters.
I typically hose mine off once each week and change the filters ( I also have a second set ) every 2 months.
I know the manufacturer recommends every month, but the dealer said every 2 months is fine.....
Title: Re: Cleaning the filters
Post by: PPOL on September 29, 2004, 03:53:13 pm
Quote
It's a wand that attaches to your hoes...


I don't use a wand, I use the back o ma hand with my hoes.

;D
Title: Re: Cleaning the filters
Post by: wmccall on September 29, 2004, 04:01:32 pm
Quote

 I use the back o ma hand with my hoes.

 ;D



Its killing me not to comment on this one.  ;D
I think this is a quote from Snoop Dog.
Title: Re: Cleaning the filters
Post by: Drewski on September 30, 2004, 04:33:35 pm
Hey doodoo:

I use a hose with stong spray about 6" from the filter.  I also clean my filters every week -- takes less time because of less junk and also easier to clean...  Also found out water stays a lot cleaner because filter media works better and not as much water gets sucked through bypass.

Drewski

Title: Re: Cleaning the filters
Post by: stiffy on September 30, 2004, 05:01:16 pm
Quote
Air is not recommended. Check your local dealer to see if they have an Algea Bugger. It's a wand that attaches to your hoes with a brush attachment and a fine direct stream attachment that works great on pleated filters gets in the pleats nicely.
 .

How bout a pic of this wand thing u use with the hoes,,,LOL............ ;D
Title: Re: Cleaning the filters
Post by: Spatech_tuo on September 30, 2004, 07:04:20 pm
Quote

I don't use a wand, I use the back o ma hand with my hoes.

 ;D


Now THAT was funny.
Title: Re: Cleaning the filters
Post by: stuart on September 30, 2004, 07:31:46 pm
Here’s a trick for you, drive a metal pipe into the ground and set the filter over it after soaking. Spray it off with a nozzle on your hose (or you could have one of your hoe’s do this for you!), as you spray it the spinning action will dislodge some of the particles with centrifugal force.
Title: Re: Cleaning the filters
Post by: Drewski on October 01, 2004, 01:22:04 pm
Now, THAT'S a GOOD idea!

I'll try the pipe thing!

Thanks...
Title: Re: Cleaning the filters
Post by: stuart on October 01, 2004, 01:38:38 pm
Quote
Now, THAT'S a GOOD idea!

I'll try the pipe thing!

Thanks...

It's kinda fun to! ;D

('sepcially if you have a cat when you turn on hoes, I mean howes or hoe's, NO IT"S  HOSE! Wow got it).

Title: Re: Cleaning the filters
Post by: ttodd1 on October 02, 2004, 10:13:40 am
So stuart does this mean you are not a cat person???  
Title: Re: Cleaning the filters
Post by: cparlf on October 02, 2004, 10:32:37 am
This is all well and good for now, but as a 1st year owner, I am thinking about the coming winter?  I turn my outside spigots off, so refilling becomes a bucket brigade and I can't really imagine spraying my filter outside on a sunny 20 degree (F) morning.  Does a hand held shower work too?   I guess why not.  And while we are on the subject of winter, are there any suggestions for the sheet of ice sure to be forming around the spa steps.  
Title: Re: Cleaning the filters
Post by: stuart on October 02, 2004, 11:34:05 am
Quote
So stuart does this mean you are not a cat person???  

I like cats, I just don't like my cat. My cat is evil and needs to be destroyed. We refer to it as "Cujo the Attack Cat" (that is when it is not lurking in the shadows or destroying something)
Title: Re: Cleaning the filters
Post by: tazman on October 02, 2004, 12:20:19 pm
I have an idea for you;

Drive the post into the ground, secure cat to post, get the hose..... well you get the picture!  :o8)
Title: Re: Cleaning the filters
Post by: Brewman on October 02, 2004, 12:30:04 pm

"She puts the filter on the post to spin, or else she gets the hose again"

Brewman
Title: Re: Cleaning the filters
Post by: ttodd1 on October 02, 2004, 02:58:54 pm
Such cruel people.

cparlf - you could get another filter and then just soak one overnight and put the already clean one in.
Title: Re: Cleaning the filters
Post by: tonyp on October 02, 2004, 04:02:52 pm
Quote
Such cruel people.

cparlf - you could get another filter and then just soak one overnight and put the already clean one in.


Tough to do if you have more than 1 or 2 filters.  I have 5 and I figure I'll have to do them in the laundry room sink over the winter.
Title: Re: Cleaning the filters
Post by: Drifter on October 04, 2004, 10:01:16 am
I have the Master Spa which has 2 pleated filters. I set a broom handle between two trashcans and the filter on the broom handle and fire away with the hose. I get a nice spinning action that throws tons of stuff off. Also I recently saw a great product by Beachcomber that was unfortunately too small for me to use but I'm going to try and build one myself. It was a tall tube that the filter sat in and there was a brush in the middle with a bend at the top so you could drop the filter in the cleaning solution and crank the handle around, agitating the solution and spinning the filter. I figure all I need is like a 20 inch tall PVC pipe big enough to fit my filter and cap one end permanently and drill a hole in the other end and bend a wire brush to fit like a crank handle.
Title: Re: Cleaning the filters
Post by: windsurfdog on October 05, 2004, 09:13:58 am
Quote
"She puts the filter on the post to spin, or else she gets the hose again"

Brewman


ROFLMAO!!!!  Here's to the poet laureate of Spatopia!
8)
Title: Re: Cleaning the filters
Post by: doodoo on October 05, 2004, 10:25:44 am
Quote

I don't use a wand, I use the back o ma hand with my hoes.

 ;D


LMAO over here.
Title: Re: Cleaning the filters
Post by: Drewski on October 05, 2004, 10:34:07 am
Quote
I turn my outside spigots off, so refilling becomes a bucket brigade and I can't really imagine spraying my filter outside on a sunny 20 degree (F) morning.  Does a hand held shower work too?   I guess why not.


While these guys are playing "sit and spin" with cats ( ;) ), let's see if I can answer this one.

OK, yeah, I'll admit it, I clean my filters in the shower during the winter.  The first time I tried it, I attempted to clean the filters WITHOUT taking a shower at the same time.  Holding those big filters at arm's length for almost 20 minutes each was just too exhausiting, so now I just get in.  I put the shower massage on "full pulse," pre-soak the filters and then have at it.

One suggestion.  Do this weekly, not monthly, if you're high use.  The first time I tried it after a month, it took me almost an hour to clean 3 filters.  The cleaning solution is also a must, or you will be in the shower all morning.

Good luck!

Drewski
Title: Re: Cleaning the filters
Post by: windsurfdog on October 05, 2004, 11:55:30 am
Quote

While these guys are playing "sit and spin" with cats ( ;) ), let's see if I can answer this one.

OK, yeah, I'll admit it, I clean my filters in the shower during the winter.  The first time I tried it, I attempted to clean the filters WITHOUT taking a shower at the same time.  Holding those big filters at arm's length for almost 20 minutes each was just too exhausiting, so now I just get in.  

Just don't tell us which spindle you use to spin the filters on!
8)
Title: Re: Cleaning the filters
Post by: IBinit4fun on October 05, 2004, 12:11:31 pm
Now that's FUNNY!!!! I don't care who ya are. LMAO and still LMAO.
Title: Re: Cleaning the filters
Post by: Tubber on October 06, 2004, 06:41:13 am
Now I know why that old lady was looking so confused the other day when I showed her how to use an algea bugger. She was probably wondering where to get a hoe ::)
Title: Re: Cleaning the filters
Post by: doodoo on October 06, 2004, 10:46:06 am
Ya'll are too funny. The last 4 posts had me on the floor.

Hey windsurfdog.  My spiggot won't fit in my filter (Optima) !!!!!!! ::) LMAO Again.
Title: Re: Cleaning the filters
Post by: windsurfdog on October 06, 2004, 10:56:08 am
WHHOOOOAAAAAA!! :o :o :o
That's one heckuva spigot ya got there, doodoo!
8)
Title: Re: Cleaning the filters
Post by: doodoo on October 06, 2004, 11:05:23 am
Quote
WHHOOOOAAAAAA!! :o :o :o
That's one heckuva spigot ya got there, doodoo!
 8)



:o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o My wife the first time we .... ya know.
Title: Re: Cleaning the filters
Post by: cparlf on October 06, 2004, 12:12:32 pm
This is too funny.  I had to ponder what LMAO meant, then I too LMAO.  Funny too that we can't talk about using small measuring devices normally used for baking in our spa maintenence routines, but doodoo is strutting his spigot.  Thisis good, I needed a laugh this morning.

Title: Re: Cleaning the filters
Post by: windsurfdog on October 06, 2004, 04:39:27 pm
Quote
...but doodoo is strutting his spigot...

Wow.......take that out of context and whaddaya got???
ROFLMAO!!!!
8)