Hot Tub Forum

Original => Hot Tub Forum => Topic started by: neocacher on December 27, 2006, 05:34:24 pm

Title: How often should I clean my filter?
Post by: neocacher on December 27, 2006, 05:34:24 pm
I have purchased a spare already, so that part is done.

i have been using tub 2-3 times a day for 2 weeks.  I removed the filter and there is some yellowing , but not too bad.

Should I degrease it now or wait another couple weeks until it is grungier?

Neo
Title: Re: How often should I clean my filter?
Post by: cparlf on December 27, 2006, 06:00:03 pm
I am far from an expert, but willing to share what I do as I may learn if I am off the mark as well.  I have a Sundance Optima, there are two filters.  One, the 'microclean' I think it is called, I replace every few months and costs about 15 bucks.  The other is the normal big pleated pup.  I have two of these, one is the tub the other in a plastic bag in reserve.  To clean, I soak the pleated one in filter cleaner solution over night then rinse until the water company drives over and yells at me and Al Gore spot lights me on his enviro campaigns.  While this one is drying, I put the other pleated one in.  This is usually every two to three months, more often if high use.  In between I take out the pleated one and simply hose it off real good.  Amazing how much difference the hosing alone does.  You might want to try that first.
Title: Re: How often should I clean my filter?
Post by: PotomacG on December 27, 2006, 06:08:05 pm
You might want to check with the manufacturer.  If you don't have a manual, you might try checking their website.  

For my Tiger River, I swap out the filter each and every month at the beginning of the month.  This makes keeping track really easy.

If I'm having a really bad water problem (which I have not had since switching to bromine), I might swap it out more than once in a month's time.

If your manufacturer can't recommend a schedule, I would figure out what works best for you.

Best of luck.
Title: Re: How often should I clean my filter?
Post by: neocacher on December 27, 2006, 08:47:37 pm
Well, I have a small Caldera, with just a single pleated filter.  I was hoping someone with similar type of filter could tell me , based on my usage if I should do more than 1 time a month, and maybe do it every 2 weeks.

Neo
Title: Re: How often should I clean my filter?
Post by: Chad on December 27, 2006, 09:18:44 pm
Neo, I've had my tub for 2 months now. It has two regular pleated filters and I'm yet to soak them in any cleaner. All I do is hose them off once a week with a high pressure nozzle. I still haven't had a hint of cloudiness even when I was soaking twice a day for a month. I think I'll wait for my first water change in a month or so before I do it.
Title: Re: How often should I clean my filter?
Post by: neocacher on December 27, 2006, 09:21:06 pm
I don't think that i am suppose to wait for cloudiness before I clean my filter, am I?  And why would you NOT soak your filters in 2 months, when it is so easy and if you have  time to do it? :o

Neo

Title: Re: How often should I clean my filter?
Post by: Vinny on December 27, 2006, 09:30:05 pm
I change out my filters once a month or so. My tub doesn't get used much, maybe 2x a week and I have used cleaner every time I take them out for the past 4 months. Before that I would just rinse them out monthly

I just started using filter cleaner, I used to soak them in bleach but I wanted something soapy to cut through the body oils.

My dealer recommended rinsing weekly ... it was a real PITA!  I figured monthly is good enough.
Title: Re: How often should I clean my filter?
Post by: Chad on December 27, 2006, 09:33:33 pm
Quote
I don't think that i am suppose to wait for cloudiness before I clean my filter, am I?  And why would you NOT soak your filters in 2 months, when it is so easy and if you have  time to do it? :o

Neo


All I know is that my water is clear and my filters are as white as new, so nothing has given me an indication to soak them yet. I was just sharing my experience with you, not advising. Everyone's water is different. You asked for anyone with pleated filters to chime, so I did.
BTW, if it's so easy to do, why are you asking how often it should be done. Just do it.
Title: Re: How often should I clean my filter?
Post by: neocacher on December 27, 2006, 09:46:11 pm
WHY NOT

Personally, I think it should be done at least once a month. That is why I was surprised you went 2 months, with as much as you use it.  That's all i meant.  Your first post didnt mention that your filters were "white as new".  My are not white as new, there is some yellowing going on, though i dont see any CHUNKS of things stuck in it.

The downside to cleaning more often than necessary is that those cleaners are EXPENSIVE.   A quart bottle is 15 bucks at my dealer, and it says to mix 1 quart to 3 quarts of water.  That is not even enough to submerge my filter!

I think I will try the spray method the first time and see how much I use up. Hopefully it wont use too much, and by then, maybe i can find some discount cleaner online.

Hopefully I will get lots more ADVICE!

Neo
Title: Re: How often should I clean my filter?
Post by: hot tub Frank on December 27, 2006, 10:29:49 pm
I rins my filter every 1.5 weeks.

every 2 month i put it in the solution.
Title: Re: How often should I clean my filter?
Post by: tony on December 28, 2006, 10:59:57 am
Quote
I change out my filters once a month or so. My tub doesn't get used much, maybe 2x a week and I have used cleaner every time I take them out for the past 4 months. Before that I would just rinse them out monthly

I just started using filter cleaner, I used to soak them in bleach but I wanted something soapy to cut through the body oils.

My dealer recommended rinsing weekly ... it was a real PITA!  I figured monthly is good enough.

I clean in filter solution once a month.  Filter cleaning is the worst part of owning a hot tub, so I like to keep it as simple as possible....and I only have to clean one filter (very important to me).  I would never rinse my fitlers weekly.
Title: Re: How often should I clean my filter?
Post by: neocacher on December 28, 2006, 11:06:45 am
I think for now I will clean my filter with solution monthly, and maybe go with a quick rinse after 2 weeks.  In addition, I will rotate filters, letting the dirty one dry out after cleaning.  When I lower my usage, I will probably go to every 2 months.

Neo
Title: Re: How often should I clean my filter?
Post by: PotomacG on December 28, 2006, 01:20:03 pm
Quote
....The downside to cleaning more often than necessary is that those cleaners are EXPENSIVE.   A quart bottle is 15 bucks at my dealer, and it says to mix 1 quart to 3 quarts of water.  That is not even enough to submerge my filter!.....Neo

Neo, you might want to consider one of these http://www.spadepot.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=MT1029&Category_Code=Maintenance

I have one that fits my filter and I use 2.5 gallons of water to soak the entire filter (vs. a 5 gallon bucket).  I use 1/2 the amount of filter cleaner (I use a dry granular cleaner that you mix with water).  It also has a lid, so if I leave it outside soaking overnight, it doesn't matter if it rains.  
Title: Re: How often should I clean my filter?
Post by: tony on December 28, 2006, 03:05:41 pm
Quote

Neo, you might want to consider one of these http://www.spadepot.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=MT1029&Category_Code=Maintenance

I have one that fits my filter and I use 2.5 gallons of water to soak the entire filter (vs. a 5 gallon bucket).  I use 1/2 the amount of filter cleaner (I use a dry granular cleaner that you mix with water).  It also has a lid, so if I leave it outside soaking overnight, it doesn't matter if it rains.  

I use a filter flask.  It was well worth the money for me.  I keep my filter cleanning solution for four months without issue.
Title: Re: How often should I clean my filter?
Post by: In Canada eh on December 28, 2006, 04:50:18 pm
Neo,

    I have a simalar sized tub as you do (apprx. 300 us gals).  I rinse my filter once every week, just quickly with a garden hose in the laundry tub during the winter.  Once a month I soak my filter for 24 hours in filter cleaner followed by 24 hours in a 5 ppm chlorine/water mix.   All seems to be going well so far :)
Title: Re: How often should I clean my filter?
Post by: Chas on December 28, 2006, 05:26:36 pm
I have told our customers for two decades that there is no answer that applies to everyone, except this one:

Do it as often as you need to.

Every yard, every neighborhood, every town, every spa is uinique, and will require a different frequency of cleaning.

So - pull it out every two weeks and rinse it. If you are not seeing any dirt come off the filter, try three weeks.

Still no dirt coming off? Go to once a month.

Still not seeing dirt coming off as you rinse? Try every 6 weeks.

Personally, I empty my spa about every four months, and that's the only time I rinse my filters.

I will clean them with a filter cleaner once a year.

 8-)