There has been some discussion about the Sundacne filters in my market, and I wanted to see if I could get some straight information from some of you.
What is the cost for replacement of their new filter? Isn't it $90 or something like that? And how often are you supposed to replace it? I've heard that they are telling people it's every 4 months. Is that true?
SanDiego,
We have had customers averaging about 10 - 11 months on the MicroClean II. The MicroClean II is one piece blue filter ($100 here at my store).
Brewman has the MicroClean I, which is the 2 piece system.
Luvin,
You have neither, if you have an '05 Bahia you have the 125 sq. ft. pleated filter. If cleaned every 4 - 6 weeks it should last a couple of years or more.
Skellman,
You are not gullible for believing that, 'cause it's true!!
It's not that they don't have to be cleaned, it's that you can't clean them. A traditional filter is "surface loading" so you can clean the surface. The MicroClean is "depth loading" (the particulants are trapped inside the filter) so cleaning the surface will do you little good.
Hope I helped.
The 125 sq. ft. pleated filters Sundance used before the MicroClean system run about $80 (if you buy 2 so you can rotate them, $160), plus filter cleaner degreaser, plus another thing on your "to do" list, plus time time and hassle (what's your time worth?) I like the idea of just tossing your filter out when it's time. But that's just me.
AND....................Filters down to 5 micron particle as opposed to a 30 micron particle in a traditional filter. So CLEANER WATER ;D ;D
I don't use, sell, or generally like biguinide systems so I can't comment on how they work out with the MicroClean system.
Thanks for the info, I was referring to the new microclean II filters.
$100 a year sounds awful expense though, when you get typically get a good 3 years out of a regular filter.
Do you use Baqua in your spas? Because I've also heard that those will clog the filters up much faster...
I wonder if you choose to not replace the microclean II filter and just let the regular filter do the work?
Though hymba stated the MCII is the ONLY filter, I thought I read somewhere that there was an alternative. Can anyone else confirm?
I'm with you on that. Unfortunately we're in a "throw away society" where companies are always coming up with disposable products like that is some kind of improvement (these may filter fine, I just have an issue with the "throw away and buy a new one" part of this equation). I know persoanlly I'd have a hard time justifying to myself that I need to get a new $90 filter every 6 to 12 months.
I wonder if you choose to not replace the microclean II filter and just let the regular filter do the work?
How big is 5 microns anyway?
SanDiego,
We have had customers averaging about 10 - 11 months on the MicroClean II. The MicroClean II is one piece blue filter ($100 here at my store).
Brewman has the MicroClean I, which is the 2 piece system.
Luvin,
You have neither, if you have an '05 Bahia you have the 125 sq. ft. pleated filter. If cleaned every 4 - 6 weeks it should last a couple of years or more.
Skellman,
You are not gullible for believing that, 'cause it's true!!
It's not that they don't have to be cleaned, it's that you can't clean them. A traditional filter is "surface loading" so you can clean the surface. The MicroClean is "depth loading" (the particulants are trapped inside the filter) so cleaning the surface will do you little good.
Hope I helped.
I don't want to start a flame war here but I agree with spatech. I wanted a Sundace Optima but didn't like the idea of throwing away a $100 filter. I guess there's always compromises in life. I have to clean five Tri-X filters in my HS spa. For some that may be a downside, but for me it hasn't been an issue yet. By the way, what micron level are the Tri-X filters rated at?
I don't want to start a flame war here but I agree with spatech. I wanted a Sundace Optima but didn't like the idea of throwing away a $100 filter. I guess there's always compromises in life.
You don't have to use the Microclean II filter. You could always use a conventional pleated filter and clean it.
A Tri-X filter can filter down to how many microns?
Though hymba stated the MCII is the ONLY filter, I thought I read somewhere that there was an alternative. Can anyone else confirm?
AP
Anne,
I believe they are refering to the 125 sq. ft. traditional pleated filter that Sundance used in the past. They are the same size as the Microclean II, so they do fit. They are not reccomended.
The tubs weren't designed for them. That should be enough for you, but I have a feeling it's not.
How about the fact that the circ. pump runs at 35 GPM as opposed to 5 GPM. Instead of cleaning your filter every 6 weeks you would have to clean it every 6 DAYS!
Too bad they can't make those micron fitlers so they can be cleaned and reused.
Tri-X filters are both surface and depth loading and are able to be cleaned. ;)
The Microclean filter are "depth loading"(capturing particles all the way through the filter media) A pleated filter is "surface loading" (capturing particles on the surface)
You can clean the surface of a filter. I agree, it would be nice if you could clean the depths of a filter.
Until we figure out how, you just have to toss them.
Why aren't they recommended if they fit. Didn't they filter just fine previously? I thought that was a perfectly fine alternative if you don't want to be buying new filters every 9 months for $90 (therefore $10/month on disposable filters when you can use a traditional one for about 3 yrs at about $2/month)?
Am I misinterpreting something?
How about the fact that the circ. pump runs at 35 GPM as opposed to 5 GPM. Instead of cleaning your filter every 6 weeks you would have to clean it every 6 DAYS!
How about the fact that the circ. pump runs at 35 GPM as opposed to 5 GPM. Instead of cleaning your filter every 6 weeks you would have to clean it every 6 DAYS!
Noblewinds, an Internet seller, has the following to say about the Sundance filter issue:
"The Unicel C-8326 Replaces both Sundance filters (Pleated 6540-501 & Micro-Fiber 6540-502)
Additionally, regardless of flow rate, if your water is dirty, it's DIRTY. The change in flow rate only equates to the amount of TIME it takes to clean your water. So, to use a ridiculous example, if you have a 5 GPM circ pump, you get dirty water for 5 1/2 weeks until your filter finally overcomes it and gets "dirty" enough to clean. With a 35 GPM pump, it does the same process in 5 1/2 DAYS, after which you need to clean it.Quote
Your quote above would have some validity if you never use your tub.
If you are using your tub daily you are continuosly adding waste to the water.
X amount of water through the filters and they are ready to clean. 5 GPM or 35 GPM which is ready for cleaning first? It's a no brainer.
The pleated filter was designed with 2 parts. 1 section for the ciirculation pump, and one for the 2 speed pump.
The new filter has only 1 pump pulling through it because the filtration is totally separated from the main pump system. That pump will pull unevenly through the filter because of how it is seaparated. That is why it is not reccomended.
Are you suggesting that filters be cleaned every six weeks? YIKES! How 'bout biweekly? Having 2 sets of filters that get switched and rinsed every 2 weeks seems like a better procedure to me...but that's just me.
Your quote above would have some validity if you never use your tub. If you are using your tub daily you are continuosly adding waste to the water.
X amount of water through the filters and they are ready to clean. 5 GPM or 35 GPM which is ready for cleaning first? It's a no brainer.
There are more manufacturers than just Sundance that use a high volume circ pump. What are they using for filters? I'll bet a pleated filter. A pleated filter will allow more to pass through than the 5 microns that the Microclean II filters allow. I don't see why it would not work. On the older SD systems, the pleated filter handled the two speed pump on high. That's got to be more that 35 gallons per minute. How about a pool pump with a cartridge filter? Same thing there.
Well I'll admitt that those were my thoughts 1) others use similar circ pumps tied to pleated filters and 2) pleated filters would allow MORE flow so if they fit I don't see how they wouldn't work but I didn't want to come accross like I'm telling someone how their product works (maybe it's too late for that ;)).
Anne,
The Micropure filters are standard on Arctic tubs. They say the filter will work on any tub that uses a pleated filter that has a 4-15/16" diameter, 13-5/16" length with a 2-1/8" center core. They also eliminate the need for Clarifiers and Stain and Scale control. I think it is an interesting product and am thinking of switching to them on my Beachcomber.
Look in the middle of a double ended 125sq. ft. filter. There is a wall close to one side. That section was used to handel the small circulation pump. That wall is why you cannot use that filter.
Straight from the manual:
Your Sundance hot tub is equipped a high-efficiency MicroClean II filter cartridge under the filter lid (Figures G-J, Page 18-21). Debris is filtered by the circulation pump drawing water through this cartridge 24-hours a day, 7 days a week (unless programmed otherwise.) To ensure optimum
performance, replace this cartridge every 6 months or as needed. This filter cannot be cleaned and reused and MUST be thrown out after use.
ALSO from the manual:
Replacement MicroClean II filter cartridges may be purchased from your Sundance dealer. An optional pleated filter cartridge is also available from your Sundance dealer. This filter can be cleaned and reused for up to two years but does not maintain the same water quality and clarity as the standard MicroClean II cartridge.
I wonder if you choose to not replace the microclean II filter and just let the regular filter do the work?
The MicroClean II is the ONLY filter on the 880 series tubs.
Anne, I believe they are refering to the 125 sq. ft. traditional pleated filter that Sundance used in the past. They are the same size as the Microclean II, so they do fit. They are not reccomended.
The tubs weren't designed for them. That should be enough for you, but I have a feeling it's not.
The pleated filter was designed with 2 parts. 1 section for the ciirculation pump, and one for the 2 speed pump. The new filter has only 1 pump pulling through it because the filtration is totally separated from the main pump system. That pump will pull unevenly through the filter because of how it is seaparated. That is why it is not reccomended.
I'm sure that Noblewinds knows more about Sundance spas than the people that design/build them. I already said that it will "fit".
This is why the filter will not work. The filter that "fits" was designed as a 2 part filter. 1 section for the small circ pump, 1 section for the main pump. The 2 part filter will replace the microclean 1, but not the microclean II.
Look in the middle of a double ended 125sq. ft. filter. There is a wall close to one side. That section was used to handel the small circulation pump. That wall is why you cannot use that filter.
The double ended 125 sq. ft. filter will work for the microclean I filter setup. They both separate the ciculation pump from the main pump. If there is a double ended 125 sq. ft. filter with no wall, then I don't see why that wouldn't work.
Straight from the manual:
Replacement MicroClean II filter cartridges may be purchased from your Sundance dealer. An optional pleated filter cartridge is also available from your Sundance dealer. This filter can be cleaned and reused for up to two years but does not maintain the same water quality and clarity as the standard MicroClean II cartridge.
If I'm a newbie looking at this discussion, I'm totally lost.
Now someone quotes the manual and SURPRISE, it says something else.
Why is THAT?
Drewski
???