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The life of your filter cartridge
depends upon you the consumer. A dirty, worn-out filter will fail its job
of trapping spa contaminants, and will put undue strain on your spa's
pump motor and
heater. After about 6
months to a year of use, the pores in the filter media become distorted
and enlarged, and begin to lose filtration ability.
The best indications of a "soiled" filter cartridge in need of a
cleaning are an increase in pressure within the
cartridge's housing canister
or a visible decrease in the systems water flow rate.
Spa filter cartridge's should be rinsed and cleaned every month. The
filter cartridge should be cleansed of coarse dirt and debris by pressure
washing inside and out with a garden hose and apply the stream at a 45
degree angle to make sure all foreign matter is dislodged by spraying
between each pleat. Fine particles of dirt are more easily removed from
the filter pleats when the cartridge is dry, after hosing the cartridge,
allow the filter to dry and either CAREFULLY BRUSH, but do not scrub the
pleated surface areas; or apply a stream of compressed air to the filters
outer surface to remove fine particles.
Algae, suntan oil, and body oils can form a coating on the filter
pleats, which may not be thoroughly removed by hosing. Such a film of
algae and/or oils will rapidly clog up the filter's pores thereby greatly
reducing filtration. Therefore it is imperative to remove such materials
from the filter element as soon as possible. We recommend soaking the
cartridge in a solution of commercially available filter element cleaner
such as Leisure Time Filter Clean
or Leisure Time Spa Instant
Cartridge Cleaner to remove algae and/ or oils from the filter media.
Follow
the manufactures' directions for the proper use of such (surfactant, soap)
- cleaning solutions. Allow one hour for soaking and then hose the
cartridge thoroughly before re-installing in the filter housing. If
clogging persist due to either algae or oils readjustment of water
chemistry is necessary to combat the problem. Avoid laundry detergents and
household cleaners - you may have a major foaming problem with your hot
tub.
TIPS:
- We recommend that filters be
replaced yearly.
- Use the rotation method of filter maintenance: while your dirty
filter is soaking in cleaning solution, replace it with a clean dry
spare.
- Never use a power washer to clean filter cartridges, the extreme
pressure will damage the media.
- Never use household bleach to clean filters. Although bleach may
seem to do an adequate job of cleaning, it degrades and weakens the
fibers in the filter media, greatly decreasing their life.
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