The (not so) secret meaning behind Pleatco's filter names

The (not so) secret meaning behind Pleatco's filter names - Click to enlarge

If you are on this page, then you likely own a Pleatco filter. Pleatco is the brand behind most spa filters, and have been making filters in the US for over 40 years. You probably know which model you need (if not, please contact us). But do you know what the combination of letters and numbers on each filter means?

Pleatco references have several components

  • They all start with a P
  • The next two letters reference brand of the spa or equipment for which the filter was made
  • Numbers indicate the filtration surface
  • Other lettres indicate the attachment type at the bottom of the filter
  • Special options, like antimicrobial filters, may be at the end of the references

The most common models

Let's take for example PRB35 or PWW50 filters. These models have the simplest references: P-RB-35 and P-WW-50 P = Pleatco RB = Rainbow, and WW = Waterway. These are the companies that originally asked Pleatco to manufacture these filter cartridges, to add them to their filtration system. These models have been used by other brands since. 35 and 50 = 35 and 50 square feet (= 3.3 and 4.7 square metres), which is total surface area of the filtration fabric. Other common brands with Pleatco filters include: Caldera (PCD), Wellis (PWL), Sundance (PSD). You can find a full list at the bottom of this page to find the correct filter depending on your spa.

The filtration surface

The filtration surface of the Pleatco filters sold on our website ranges from 6 to 200 square feet (1 square foot ≅ 0.1 square metre). If a filter with a filtration surface of 50 square feet was originally installed on your spa, keep the same dimensions for your next filter. The bigger your spa the more water it contains, the bigger your filter and its filtration surface will need to be, unless you want to clean your filters by hand frequently.

The screw threads

What do P2, P4, and XP3 mean? Filters don't all have the same threads, but you can figure out which one you need by looking at the Pleatco part numbers. Obviously, you can't change the thread, but it is occasionally possible to use an adaptor (like this 2" MPT filter mounting fitting).

Different types of screw threads

P2

SAE 1,25 inches (Ø ext.: 39-40 mm)

P3

SAE 1,5 inches (Ø ext.: 46-48 mm)

P4

MPT 1,5 inches (Ø ext.: 47 mm)

F2S

SAE 2 inches (Ø ext.: 60-61 mm)

F2M

MPT 2 inches (Ø ext.: 58-59 mm)

F2L

MPT long 2 inches (Ø ext.: 58-59 mm)

XP

Opening 48 mm

XP3

Opening with clips 48 mm

XP4

Opening with clips 48 mm

XF2M

Opening with clips 60 mm

XF2S

Opening with clips 60 mm

Antimicrobial filters and other options

What do M, N, and SET mean ? The references on certain filters end with a code, usually indicating the type of fabric used or if the filter is sold in bundles of two.

  • M = an antimicrobial fabric, which limits microbial activity in the spa

  • TC = top closed

  • N = new style, where the filter will be similar to the original model but will not be compatible because of some modifications (for example, the PCD50 and the PCD50N have a different bottom extremity)

  • SET = 2 filters sold together

If you have any other questions, feel free to contact us for more information.

Full list of spa manufacturers

Here you'll find all of the companies for which Pleatco had made filters (you should be able to find your spa's brand).

Pleatco

Fabricant

Pleatco

Fabricant

Pleatco

Fabricant

PA

Hayward

PFF

Freeflow

PMT

Martec

PAE

Advantage

PFG

Pleatco full grid

POX

Onyx

PAP

American Predator

PFS

Pleatco full grid set

PPC

Sta-Rite

PAQ

Aqua Spa

PFV

Fountain Valley

PPCO

Poolco

PAQV

Aqua Vac

PFW

Fox Wallpack

PPF

Purex

PAS

Artesian Spas

PG

Gerico

PPG

Sunrise

PAST

Astral

PGC

Gulf Coast

PPI

Seven Seas

PAT

Atlantic-Haugh

PGF

General Foam

PPM

Marquis

PBF

Bullfrog

PGS

Gatsby

PPR

Premier

PBH

Baker Hydro

PH

Harmsco

PRB

Rainbow

PBW

Bestway

PHC

Hercules

PRW

Recreation Warehouse

PC

Coleco

PHG

Pleatco half grid

PS

Sylvan

PCAL

Cal Spas

PHO

Hoesch

PSANT

Strong

PCC

Pac Fab

PHP

Haugh-Atlantic

PSD

Sundance

PCD

Caldera

PIC

Icon

PSG

Saratoga

PCH

Christal

PIF

Infinity Spas

PSI

Pageant Spas

PCL

Columbia

PIN

Intex

PSN

Sunrise

PCM

American Products

PJAN

Jandy

PSON

Sonfarrel

PCO

Cooper

PJ

Jacuzzi

PSR

Sta-Rite

PCP

Regency-Nemco

PJB

Jacuzzi Bros.

PSS

Soft Sider

PCS

Coleman

PJC

Jacuzzi Cantar

PST

Spa-Tech

PCST

Coast Spas

PJW

Jacuzzi Whirlpool

PTL

Pleatco

PD

Doughboy

PL

Lomart

PUST

Us Tooling

PDC

Pleatco Dual Core

PLB

Leisure Bay

PVT

Vita

PDM

Dream Maker

PLBS

Leisure Bay

PW

Wet Institute

PDO

Dimension One

PLW

Seasonmaster

PWC

Waterco

PDS

Dakota

PMA

Master Spa

PWK

Watkins

PDS

Dolphin

PMAG

Magnum Filters

PWMC

Wmc Ind

PDV

Discovery Spa

PMAX

Maxx Spas

PWW

Waterway

PFAB

Pac Fab

PMS

Muskin

PXST

Hayward X-Stream