How often should you clean or replace a hot tub filter?
For the One Model, check the filter and replace it every 3 to 6 months. It is an antimicrobial filter that traps dirt and debris as the water flows through it. Weaker jets and cloudy water are signs a filter needs attention.
What does a hot tub filter do?
The King County public health hot tub guide (Seattle and King County, Washington) says the filter removes unwanted material that hangs in the water, such as algae, dirt and body oils. It does not remove everything, but it removes most of it, and it works together with the sanitiser to keep the water clean and clear.
That is why the filter is on the maintenance list for every hot tub. The sanitiser handles germs, and the filter handles what you can see. When the filter is clogged, both jobs get harder.
How often should you replace the filter in the One Model?
Every 3 to 6 months, check the filter and replace it. That line is part of the owner routine, next to the weekly test strip and the yearly check-up.
The One Model filter is antimicrobial. It sits in the loop that the water pump runs 24 hours a day, so all the water keeps moving through it, along with the ozone chamber, the salt system and the heater.
Why does a clogged filter matter?
The filter and the sanitiser work as a pair. If the filter is clogged, the water has more dirt and oil in it than the sanitiser can handle on its own, and you see it as cloudy water and weaker jets.
The King County guide also says the filter should keep the water moving. It says the water in a tub should be completely recirculated often. In the One Model, the pump that does this runs 24 hours a day, which is one reason a filter check belongs on the routine.
How do you know a hot tub filter needs cleaning?
The King County guide lists signs to watch for. Jet action in the tub gets weaker. The water stays cloudy even though it has been sanitised properly. Dirt or skin oils stay on the surface of the water after use.
If you see one of these between replacements, do not wait for the date. Check the app, test the water with a strip, and look at the filter. If the readings look right and the water still looks wrong, contact Good Hot Tubs. Under warranty, Good Hot Tubs arranges the repair.
How do you clean a hot tub filter?
For a cartridge filter, the most common kind in home tubs, the King County guide says to rinse it down with a hose that has a high-pressure nozzle. It says not to scrub the cartridge with a brush, because a brush can push the dirt in deeper or harm the fabric.
The guide also says a cartridge can be reused over several months if it is kept clean, according to the maker's or seller's instructions. Always follow the instructions for your own filter.
For the One Model, the routine is to check the filter and replace it every 3 to 6 months. Good Hot Tubs has not released cleaning steps for it yet.
How does the One Model handle filtering?
Filtering is one part of the water-care system. The filter traps dirt and debris as the water flows through it. Active Skim, a floating skimmer, rises and falls with the water level and pulls leaves, hair and oils off the surface. A ClearCore ozone chamber and the salt system work on the same flow of water.
Waterlab reads pH, ORP and temperature in the plumbing, and the app (Gecko in.touch 3) shows them on your phone. Once a week, you test with a strip, enter the result in the app and check the salt system's run time. The filter check sits on the same routine, every 3 to 6 months.
What can you do to keep a filter cleaner for longer?
The King County guide gives some habits that help. Shower with soap before you get in. Lotions, deodorants and body oils coat and clog the filter mesh, and they use up chlorine too. It also says to check with a store before adding scents or salts, since some have dyes that colour a cartridge filter and hide how dirty it is.
A well-fitting cover keeps dust and debris out of the water, according to the King County guide. The One Model comes with the Smartop Upright 3.0 hard cover. On Vancouver Island, a local expert looks after the tub, and the yearly check-up you book is a good time to ask about the filter.
Questions
Can you wash a hot tub filter in the dishwasher?
The King County guide describes this for some cartridge filters and says to check the maker's instructions before you try it.
Why are my hot tub jets weak?
Weaker jet action is one sign a filter needs cleaning, according to the King County guide. The page on weak jets covers other causes.
Do you need an extra hot tub filter?
Some owners keep two cartridges so one can be in the tub while the other is being cleaned, according to the King County guide.
How long does a hot tub filter last?
For the One Model, check the filter and replace it every 3 to 6 months. The King County guide says a cartridge that is kept clean can be reused over several months, following the maker's instructions.
Sources
General facts on this page come from these public sources. Facts about the One Model come from Good Hot Tubs.
- Staying Happy and Healthy in Your Hot Tub, sixth edition (PDF). Public Health, Seattle and King County.
Related answers
Is the One Model right for you?
Ten questions about your home and how you would use a hot tub. You see your result before you give any contact details, and you can ask for a test soak on Vancouver Island when you send it.