Hot Tub Forum

Original => Hot Tub Forum => Topic started by: Big_Ed on October 13, 2005, 03:31:38 pm

Title: How do you clean your filters?
Post by: Big_Ed on October 13, 2005, 03:31:38 pm: Having a hard time getting all the residue out of mine (I did wait too long to clean them, spa noobie error).

Before I just bite the bullet and buy new ones, anybody have any good secrets on cleaning them well? Keep in mind, I am a noob, so no advice is too basic.

Thanks!
Title: Re: How do you clean your filters?
Post by: HotTubMan on October 13, 2005, 04:13:45 pm: There are lots of products availible to clean your filter. Does your local dealer carry one? That is where I would start.

1.Rinse the filter.
2. Soak the filter in filter cleaner for 12-24 hours.
3. Rinse thoroughly. This is key, filter cleaner can lead to foaming and cloudy water if it gets into your tub water.

I recommend a fourth step, soak the filter in water for a few more hours and rinse again.
Title: Re: How do you clean your filters?
Post by: HotTubMan on October 13, 2005, 04:18:50 pm: Unicel is one of the major suppliers of cartridge filters for spas.

Here is a link that will allow you to download their instructions on filter cleaning/maintenance:

http://64.60.149.245/unicel/prof_uni_frames.html

Good luck!
Title: Re: How do you clean your filters?
Post by: rick_in_cleveland on October 13, 2005, 04:21:02 pm: I use 1 cup TSP in a 5 gallon bucket and let it soak for an hour or so. Then swish it around 3-4 times each time in clean water to get all the TSP rinsed out. I bought a water nossle at the store that is used specifically to hose down the driveway. It gives alot of pressure and flushes everything out of the pleats of the filter. Start at the top of the filter and go around the filter cleaning about 1/3 of the way down then do the next third and then the final third. Works great for me.
Title: Re: How do you clean your filters?
Post by: Brewman on October 13, 2005, 04:22:40 pm: I take them to the place I get my spa chemicals from, and they clean them for me for no charge. I suppose they have some big dunk tank or something- they do a better job at it than I did.
I've also used some spray filter cleaner between dunkings if the filters looked like they needed it.
Title: Re: How do you clean your filters?
Post by: Steve on October 13, 2005, 04:31:40 pm: HTM's recommendations are great. Getting them done at the local spa store is good too but the only concern is do they they do it properly?

If they aren't putting the filters in bleach first for 5 -10 minutes, then they run the risk of contaminating all the filters if someone has a bacteria in theirs. These guys don't dump the cleaner after each use so if you use a local dealer, ask them if they do this. Sometimes the cost (free) is directly related to the quality of the job... ;)

Filters should be cleaned monthly to help extend the life of the filters and maintain good water quality. Personally, I use filter brite by SpaGuard and it is the best I've ever used.

Steve
Title: Re: How do you clean your filters?
Post by: Froggy on October 13, 2005, 06:22:49 pm: How soon after I use my tub should I clean mine, I have Maxuus that we use every night.
Title: Re: How do you clean your filters?
Post by: Brewman on October 13, 2005, 08:45:17 pm: They look cleaner than when I clean them myself. I'll ask next visit, though, thanks for the suggestion.
I figure they are cleaning their own filters in there too, so they have the stores interest in mind not to put bad filters in their own wet test spas.
Title: Re: How do you clean your filters?
Post by: Brewman on October 13, 2005, 08:46:40 pm: Quote
How soon after I use my tub should I clean mine, I have Maxuus that we use every night.

I swap out at every water change, and do a quick clean in between based on what the filter looks like. Maybe once every couple weeks based on our use. YMMV.
Title: Re: How do you clean your filters?
Post by: jsimo7 on October 13, 2005, 10:46:38 pm: Quote
How soon after I use my tub should I clean mine, I have Maxuus that we use every night.

3-4 weeks rinse with hose...... put in the dishwasher at water changes (Tri-x filters)
Title: Re: How do you clean your filters?
Post by: OKC on October 13, 2005, 11:42:33 pm: Put it in the Dishwasher? Ive never heard of that.
Title: Re: How do you clean your filters?
Post by: jetster on October 14, 2005, 01:03:55 am: Throw em in the dishwasher once a month. ;D ::)
Title: Re: How do you clean your filters?
Post by: orlandoguy on October 14, 2005, 08:54:19 am: I do the dishwasher routine once a month and run it once, then turn the filters and run it again. My filters are like new after they come out.

I'm sure it doesn't need to be said that you don't want to add any soap to the dishwasher, right?
Title: Re: How do you clean your filters?
Post by: hymbaw on October 14, 2005, 11:54:36 am: Froggy,
What year is your Maxxus? You cant clean a MicroClean Filter just replace them.
Title: Re: How do you clean your filters?
Post by: Steve on October 14, 2005, 05:53:01 pm: All those people that put their filters in the dishwasher.... [size=10]GROSS!![/size] :P

One day I'm going to list some of the "goodies" that are found in ALL filters. To think that your dinner plates go in there too is BLAKKKKK! :P ;D

Invite for supper? Uhhhh, no thanks! ;)

Steve
Title: Re: How do you clean your filters?
Post by: Haynes on October 14, 2005, 07:42:16 pm: Should you spray filter cleaner on the filter first before running the dishwater???
Title: Re: How do you clean your filters?
Post by: tonyp on October 14, 2005, 10:24:05 pm: Quote
Should you spray filter cleaner on the filter first before running the dishwater???

That will create suds like you wouldn't believe. I've been using the dishwasher for a year now with no problems. Just run the dishwasher empty after the filters if you are concerned.
Title: Re: How do you clean your filters?
Post by: stuart on October 14, 2005, 11:21:46 pm: I have posted this before but here is what I have found to work the best...

Soak in filter cleaner

Drive a pipe into the ground

Put the filter over the pipe and spray while it spins! ;)
Title: Re: How do you clean your filters?
Post by: Ehizzle on October 17, 2005, 12:58:06 pm: I have noticed most of the people that posted they put their filter in the dishwasher had hotsprings. The tri-x(hot spring filter) is designed to go in the dishwasher. From what I have heard about regular paper filter is that it will destroy them alot faster.
Title: Re: How do you clean your filters?
Post by: wmccall on October 17, 2005, 01:45:35 pm: Quote
I have posted this before but here is what I have found to work the best...

Soak in filter cleaner

Drive a pipe into the ground

Put the filter over the pipe and spray while it spins! ;)

Remember to wear eye protection! That stuff burns.
Title: Re: How do you clean your filters?
Post by: NE-Phil on October 17, 2005, 02:27:53 pm: Quote
I have noticed most of the people that posted they put their filter in the dishwasher had hotsprings. The tri-x(hot spring filter) is designed to go in the dishwasher. From what I have heard about regular paper filter is that it will destroy them alot faster.

Ehizzle,
I have a Marquis Reward and I've been cleaning my filters in the dishwasher with no problems. I do make sure to use the Economy mode (no drying cycle)!

Phil
Title: Re: How do you clean your filters?
Post by: Backpains on October 19, 2005, 02:35:24 pm: Ok here's my two cents on the filter washing....I broke down and bought another set (my prefilters come in sets of 2) of prefilters, and another big filter. Now, what we do is switch them out once a week or so..the dirty filter goes with my husband to his work where on his lunch he takes it to the back and uses the pressure washer to clean it...of course being ever mindful that it is fragile ( is this an itallian word? hehehe) The clean filter stays in the hot tub until it's time to swap the two.

There you have it! BTW....we have now gotten into a routine where the water in the hot tub gets changed about every 4-6 weeks depending on how much I use it!

BP