There are several hot tub models out there which is enough to make you wonder if they all have the same type of hot tub filter. So are all hot tub filters the same? Here is the answer to that.
All hot tub filters are not the same. The filters of all hot tub filters perform the same function which is to trap contaminants in the water. But the filters differ in terms of sizes, the material the pleats were made from, and the filtration system.
But that’s not all. There is more to hot tub filters and this post digs right into the topic. Let’s dive in.
Are All Hot Tub Filters The Same Size?
All hot tub filters don’t have the same size. The size of the filter usually depends on the size of the hot tub. Larger hot tubs usually have larger filters while smaller hot tubs are designed with smaller filters. The size of the filters also depends on the type of filter and the method of filtration.
Hot tub filters have different sizes and the size of a hot tub filter depends mainly on the size of the hot tub. Smaller hot tubs are designed with smaller hot tub filters so they can fit in the hot tub.
Larger hot tubs on the other hand can accommodate larger hot tub filters. This is why you are likely to find larger hot tub filters in a 6-8 person hot tub than in a 2-3 person hot tub.
The size of the filters also depends on the type of hot tub. Inflatable hot tubs for instance are designed with smaller filters when compared to the filters of a hard-sided hot tub. This is because inflatable hot tubs have a much more delicate structure that can’t support large hot tub components like large filters.
The type of filter also determines its size. Ceramic filters for instance are a bit larger than cartridge filters. This is because ceramic filters are designed with harder and thicker ceramic materials while cartridge filters are made from plastic.
The number of filters in the hot tub also determines the size. If a hot tub is designed with 4 filters, the size of each filter will be smaller compared to a hot tub designed with two filters. Other factors that determine the size of a hot tub filter include the method of filtration and the model of the hot tub.
Related Read: How To Clean Hot Tub Filters?
Different Types of Hot Tub Filters
There are different types of hot tub filters. The type of hot tub filter is determined by the material the filter was made from and the method of filtration.
Here are the most common types of hot tub filters:
Cartridge Filters
Hot tub cartridge filters or polyester filters are by far the most common type of hot tub filter. Cartridge filters are made from a combination of fabric, plastic, paper, and sometimes rubber. The pleats of the cartridge filter are usually made from light plastic or fabric. This enables the pleats to be flexible enough to trap any contaminant during water circulation.
All the components of the cartridge filter are designed to fit into a plastic cartridge which is how the filter gets its name. The cartridge is then slid into the filter housing in the hot tub. The main advantage of cartridge filters is their pocket-friendly cost. The main disadvantage is that cartridge filters are not very durable. At best, they have a lifespan of 2 years.
Ceramic Filters
Ceramic filters work identically with cartridge filters. The difference is that ceramic filters are made from ceramic materials and sometimes, thick plastic. This gives the filter increased durability. Ceramic filters are not as common as cartridge filters with only a handful of hot tubs having ceramic filters.
The main advantage of a ceramic filter is its durability. Ceramic filters can last for several years. The main disadvantage is that ceramic filters are costlier than cartridge filters.
Sand Filters
Sand filters are the least common type of hot tub filter. Sand filters are usually designed outside the hot tub. The filter has a spherical container that contains sand. The sand filters debris out of the water but sand filters are not very effective at trapping contaminants in the water.
Because of the loose nature of the sand, the sand filter traps mainly large debris. Smaller contaminants go right through the sand. The main advantage of a sand filter is that they don’t need heavy maintenance and cleaning. The disadvantage is that sand filters are the least effective at trapping contaminants in the water.
Diatomaceous Filters
Diatomaceous hot tub filters or D.E filters are the best types of hot tub filters. The pleats of a D.E filter can trap contaminants as small as 5 microns in the water (2 times smaller than what cartridge filters trap). The pleats of the D.E filter are also coated with a white powder that is made from diatoms (or fossils). This white powder kelps to kill contaminants that the pleats trap.
So not only are the pleats of a D.E filter much better at trapping contaminants but they are also coated with a sort of pest control that helps to kill the contaminants that are trapped. This is why D.E filters are very effective at keeping the water clean.
The main advantage of a D.E filter is its efficiency. The main advantage is that D.E filters are the most expensive of any hot tub filter.
Related Read: Risks of Using a Hot Tub Without a Filter?
Are Hot Tub Filters Standard?
Hot tub filters are considered standard filters. The filters designed with a hot tub are usually factory tested to be sure they are of the required quality and standard.
Most hot tubs are designed with standard hot tub filters. This means they do great work in trapping the contaminants in the water. There are however some hot tub filters that aren’t standard. These filters are usually replacements. This is why you should pay good attention to the filters you buy as replacements.
A standard hot tub filter should be durable – it should have a sturdy construction that makes it stand up to heavy use.
A standard hot tub filter should also have a high pleat count. This means the filter should have multiple pleats. The more pleats a filter has, the more dirt it can trap.
A standard hot tub filter should also have easy maintenance. It should be easy to remove and clean.
To know if a hot tub filter is standard, it must have all of these features.
Related Read: Can You Put Hot Tub Filters in a Dishwasher?
Are There Different Hot Tub Filter Brands?
There are several hot tub filter brands out there in the market. Each brand with its specific branding, design, and sometimes a different type of hot tub filter. Though hot tub filters are identical in terms of function, they are very much different in terms of brand or manufacturer.
Hot tub filters used to be produced by only a handful of manufacturing companies but the number of hot tub users keeps increasing daily. This means the number of hot tub filters needed increases daily too. So there are more hot tub filter manufacturing companies today than there were 10 years back.
Each company has its brand of hot tub filter which means there are dozens of hot tub filter brands out there today. On top of the list are Unicel, Aladdin, Filbur, and Pleatco.
Now you know that there are different filter brands but can you replace a hot tub filter with another filter brand? Keep reading to find out.
Can You Replace A Hot Tub Filter With Another Filter Brand?
You can replace a hot tub filter with the filter of another brand as long as both brands of filters have the same size and design of the filter. Hot tub filters have sizes and different designs. If the filter in your hot tub gets damaged, you can replace it with another filter brand if the other filter brand has an identical size and design as yours.
Of every part of your hot tub, the filters are the least durable. Regardless of the type of hot tub filter that you have, you usually will need to change the filters before you might need to change any other part of the hot tub. This is because the filter pleats are made from very thin and flexible materials like fabric that wear off easily.
While shopping for a filter replacement, you can buy another brand of hot tub filter if the filter has the same size dimensions and design as the one you are trying to replace. To check for filter replacement sizes, you can check the container of the hot tub filter or the cartridge of the filter. The info is usually written on both.
Can All Hot Tub Filters Be Cleaned The Same Way?
All hot tub filters can be cleaned the same way but some models have additional instructions that should be followed during cleaning.
Hot tub filters regardless of size or type can be cleaned using clean water and filter cleaners. But some filter models have additional cleaning instructions. For instance, when it comes to removing the filters from the filter housing, some filters can be removed by just pulling the cartridge out of the water. Other filters may require you to lift clamps or remove screws before pulling the filter out.
That said, you should always clean your hot tub filters in clean water every week to keep the hot tub water free from debris. But there is more to cleaning hot tub filters than clean water. Luckily, I cover everything you need to know about your hot tub filters in a previous article. You can read the article by clicking this link.
Final Words
Overall, there are different types of hot tub filters and even different brands of each type of hot tub filter. So you should always ensure to buy the right replacement whenever your hot tub filter gets damaged.
So there you have it. If you liked this post, ensure to check out other posts like it on this website. Have a nice day.
