Unicel C-8475 | 75 sq ft Coleman & Maax Spa Filter

By Unicel
SKU: C-8475
$70.99

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Check out the Filter Guide to see if this filter fits your hot tub model.

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Description

The Unicel C-8475 is a 75 square foot replacement spa filter cartridge for Coleman Spas and Maax Spas of Arizona, replacing OEM part numbers 100594 and 3301-2262. At 8" in diameter and 13" tall with 197 pleats, it is a large, high-capacity cartridge built for spas that carry real bather load.

What sets it apart mechanically is the bottom connection: a 2" male slip fitting. Not a thread, not an open end — a smooth, unthreaded collar that seals by close tolerance against a matching socket in the filter well, the same principle as a PVC slip joint. There is nothing to screw on and nothing to align. You push it straight down and the fit itself makes the seal.

That design has a real advantage and one thing you have to respect. The advantage is that a slip fitting cannot be cross-threaded, which is the single most common way people damage a threaded cartridge. There are no threads to strip, so installation is faster and the connection is more forgiving of repeated removal — which matters on a cartridge you will pull for cleaning a dozen times a year. The thing to respect is that a slip fitting gives you no positive confirmation that it is fully home. A threaded cartridge stops turning when it is seated. A slip fitting will sit half-inserted, feel reasonably solid, and hold its position — while leaving a gap that lets unfiltered water slip past the media straight into your suction line. Seating it fully is the whole job, and it takes about three extra seconds.

The media is Unicel's standard 3 oz Reemay polyester — one hundred percent polyester over a solid injection-molded core, with chemical-resistant end caps molded to an exact OEM fit, capturing suspended particles down to roughly 20 microns. Made in the USA by Meissner Manufacturing, with more than 45 years behind the Unicel name, and specified to meet or exceed the factory cartridge it replaces.

Pro Tip: Install this cartridge with firm, straight, downward pressure — and do not twist it. Twisting a slip fitting to "help it along" scores the sealing surface, and once that surface is scratched it will never seal as tightly again. Press straight down until the fitting stops moving and the cartridge sits at the same height your old one did. If it is standing noticeably proud of where the previous cartridge sat, it is not fully seated. Pull it back out, check for debris on the fitting and in the socket, and try again rather than forcing it.

Brand

UNICEL®

Key Features
  • 2" male slip fitting: An unthreaded push-fit connection that cannot be cross-threaded or stripped, making repeated removal for cleaning faster and safer than on a threaded cartridge.
  • 75 square feet of filtration area: High capacity that clogs slowly, holds flow steady between cleanings, and reduces strain on the circulation pump.
  • 197 pleats: Sharp, uniform folds across a full 8" diameter, spaced to maximize usable surface while still allowing debris to rinse free rather than pack in permanently.
  • 3 oz Reemay polyester media: One hundred percent polyester with strong chemical resistance, balancing dirt-holding capacity against cleanability so the cartridge recovers well through repeated wash cycles.
  • Approximately 20-micron filtration: Captures the fine suspended particles responsible for cloudy, hazy water — well below what the eye can resolve individually.
  • 2-1/16" open top: Standard open configuration that makes the cartridge easy to grip and lift without pulling on the pleats.
  • Solid injection-molded core: Runs the full length to hold pleat geometry under sustained suction and resist the collapse that causes channeling.
  • Chemical-resistant end caps: Molded to an exact OEM fit, holding the slip fitting's critical tolerance through years of chlorine, bromine, and high water temperature.
  • Made in the USA: Manufactured by Meissner Manufacturing to meet or exceed OEM specification.
How It Works

The cartridge stands in the filter well with its slip fitting inserted into the suction socket at the base and its open top facing up. When the circulation pump runs, it draws water out through that bottom fitting, dropping the pressure inside the hollow core below that of the surrounding spa water. The difference pushes water inward through the pleated media from every direction at once — across the full 8" circumference and the entire 13" height. Filtered water collects in the core and exits through the slip fitting into the suction plumbing.

The slip fitting seals differently from a threaded one, and the distinction is worth understanding. A thread pulls two parts together mechanically, tightening the seal as you turn it. A slip fit relies purely on close tolerance — the outside diameter of the male fitting is machined to match the inside diameter of the socket so precisely that the contact between them leaves no meaningful path for water. There is no clamping force involved. The seal is created by how well the two surfaces match, which is exactly why the condition of that sealing surface matters so much, and why debris trapped between the fitting and the socket is more than a nuisance: it physically holds the two surfaces apart.

The 197-pleat count answers a capacity problem. Even at 8" in diameter the cartridge offers only about 25 inches of circumference, yet it needs to present 75 square feet of filtering surface. Folding the media multiplies that area many times over — provided the folds stay uniform. Pleats that lean, bunch, or vary in spacing create low-resistance channels where water rushes through with minimal contact while the crowded sections clog early and stop contributing.

Debris loads into the depth of the polyester fibers rather than sitting on the surface, which is why a cartridge that still looks reasonably clean can already be meaningfully restricted. Declining jet pressure is the most reliable early signal that a cleaning is due.

Pro Tip: Every time you reinstall this cartridge, wipe the slip fitting and the inside of the socket clean first. A single hair, a bit of grit, or a fleck of scale caught between those two surfaces holds them apart and opens a bypass path — and because a slip fit has no clamping force to crush an obstruction out of the way, even a trivial amount of debris matters here in a way it would not on a threaded connection. Run a fingertip or a clean rag around both surfaces before seating. It takes seconds and it is the difference between a cartridge that filters everything and one that quietly filters most of it.

Directions for Use

Installation

  1. Turn the spa off at the breaker before opening the filter compartment.
  2. Remove the filter lid and lift the old cartridge straight up to withdraw the slip fitting from its socket. If it resists, rock it gently side to side rather than twisting or yanking.
  3. Note how high the old cartridge sat in the well — that height is your reference for confirming the new one is fully seated.
  4. Inspect the socket at the base of the well. Clear away hair, grit, and scale, and check that the inner sealing surface is smooth and unscored.
  5. Wipe the slip fitting on the new cartridge clean. Even packaging dust is worth removing.
  6. Lower the cartridge in and press straight down with firm, even pressure until the fitting bottoms out. Do not twist.
  7. Confirm the cartridge sits at the same height as the old one and stands square without rocking or leaning.
  8. Replace the lid, restore power at the breaker, and run a full circulation cycle.
  9. Verify normal jet pressure and flow. A clear improvement over the old cartridge is expected.

Routine Cleaning

  • Every 2 to 4 weeks: Remove and rinse with a garden hose. Spray downward into the pleats at an angle, rotating the cartridge steadily so the full 8" circumference and 13" height get direct attention. This is a large cartridge — a proper rinse takes longer than you would expect, and the lower third is where the heaviest load collects.
  • Every 3 months: Deep-soak in a dedicated spa filter cleaning solution to dissolve body oils, lotion residue, and mineral scale that rinsing cannot remove. Rinse thoroughly afterward — cleaner residue left in the media is a common and entirely preventable cause of foaming.
  • Inspect the slip fitting at every cleaning. Run a fingertip around it. The surface should feel smooth and unbroken. Scoring, gouges, hardened scale, or a chalky texture all mean the sealing tolerance has been compromised.
  • At every drain and refill: Deep-clean the cartridge and clean out the socket before either goes back into service.
  • Rotate two cartridges if you can: A spare lets you install the clean one immediately while the other dries completely. A fully dried cartridge releases trapped debris far more easily on the next rinse, and rotating roughly doubles the useful life of both.

Important Cautions

  • Do not use a pressure washer. High-pressure spray tears media fibers and destroys pleat geometry, often without visible damage, and torn media passes unfiltered water straight through.
  • Do not twist the cartridge into or out of the socket. Slip fittings seal by surface tolerance, and twisting scores that surface permanently.
  • Do not use lubricant, sealant, or plumber's tape on the slip fitting. It is designed to seal dry, and these products attract grit that then holds the surfaces apart.
  • Do not clean with dish soap, laundry detergent, or household cleaners. These leave residues that foam persistently and are difficult to rinse out.
  • Do not run the spa without a cartridge installed, even briefly. On a slip-fit system this leaves the suction socket wide open, and debris pulled directly into the pump can cause damage costing far more than a filter.
  • Do not boil, bleach, or machine-wash the cartridge.

When to Replace

Replace the cartridge when you see torn or separated media, cracked or deformed end caps, a soft or collapsing core, pleats that have permanently lost their shape, staining that no longer responds to a deep soak, or a persistent drop in flow that thorough cleaning no longer restores. On this cartridge, pay particular attention to the slip fitting: deep scoring, cracking, chips, or distortion of that surface warrants replacement even when the media still looks perfectly good, because a slip fit that no longer holds its tolerance cannot seal, and a cartridge that cannot seal is not really filtering. Most spa owners under typical use replace every 12 to 18 months.

Specifications
  • Brand: Unicel
  • Manufacturer: Meissner Manufacturing Co., Inc.
  • Part Number: C-8475
  • Product Type: Replacement spa filter cartridge, slip-fit
  • Filtration Area: 75 sq. ft.
  • Pleat Count: 197
  • Filter Media: 3 oz. Reemay polyester
  • Micron Rating: Approximately 20 microns
  • Outer Diameter: 8"
  • Length: 13"
  • Top End Cap: Open, 2-1/16" inner diameter
  • Bottom End Cap: 2" male slip fitting, unthreaded
  • Core: Solid injection-molded, full-length
  • End Cap Material: Chemical-resistant molded plastic, exact OEM fit
  • Replaces OEM: Coleman Spas 100594, Maax Spas 3301-2262, 17-175-1207
  • Cross-References: Pleatco PCS75N, Filbur FC-3320, Aladdin 17513, Baleen AK-7008, Darlly 80753, Excel XLS-855, Magnum CO75, Pure N Clean PC-3320
  • Quantity Per Spa: Typically one; verify your filter compartment configuration
  • Typical Service Life: 12 to 18 months with routine cleaning
  • Cleaning Method: Hose rinse every 2 to 4 weeks; chemical soak every 3 months. Do not pressure wash.
  • Installation: Press straight down to seat. Do not twist, and do not lubricate the slip fitting.
  • Not Compatible With: Threaded filter wells, and the 50 sq ft cartridge position in the same Coleman and Maax family
  • Origin: Made in the USA
  • Shipping: Standard ground; not classified as a hazardous material
Compatibility

Replaces These OEM Part Numbers

  • Coleman Spas 100594
  • Maax Spas 3301-2262
  • 17-175-1207

Cross-Reference Part Numbers

  • Pleatco PCS75N
  • Filbur FC-3320
  • Aladdin 17513
  • Baleen AK-7008
  • Darlly 80753
  • Excel XLS-855
  • Magnum CO75
  • Pure N Clean PC-3320

Spa Brands Using This Cartridge

  • Coleman Spas — the 75 sq ft filter configuration
  • Maax Spas of Arizona

How to Confirm Fitment

Square footage alone is not a fitment match. Verify all four against your existing cartridge before ordering:

  • Bottom connection: A 2" male slip fitting — smooth and unthreaded. If your cartridge has visible threads on the bottom, or an open unfitted end, it is a different filter.
  • Top opening: 2-1/16", open.
  • Outer diameter: 8".
  • Overall length: 13", measured end cap to end cap and excluding the slip fitting.

Pro Tip: Watch the OEM number carefully. Coleman and Maax also build a smaller 50 sq ft cartridge in this same family, and its part numbers sit one digit away from this one — 100593 against 100594, and 3301-2261 against 3301-2262. A single transposed digit while ordering gets you the wrong capacity, and because the two are close cousins it may not be obvious until flow is disappointing. Read the number off your old cartridge twice before you order, and if the label has worn off, measure rather than guess. Our team can also confirm the right cartridge from your spa's serial number.

Most products purchased from our online shop within the last 30 days are eligible for return. Please review our return policy to see the list of items that cannot be returned.

Some major items that are non-returnable:

  • Gift cards
  • Electronics
  • Pumps / Motors
  • Hot Tubs
  • Closeouts
  • Fireplaces
  • Electric Fireplaces
  • Massage Chairs
  • See return policy below for full list of non-returnables.

UNICEL® Brand FAQs

Who makes Unicel filters?

Unicel filters are made byMeissner Mfg. Co., Inc., a family business that began as a small contract sewing operation in thelate 1950sand moved into pool filtration through the 1970s. By the end of that decade the company was producing cartridge filters for the industry'soriginal equipment manufacturers, and in1985it introduced the Unicel brand as aftermarket replacements. It's still owned and operated by the Meissner family today.

Are Unicel filters as good as the original manufacturer's filter?

Unicel builds its cartridges tomeet or exceed original equipment specifications— and that's a meaningful distinction here, because the company produced cartridges for the industry's OEMs before it ever launched its own brand. Unicel cartridges usedurable, chemical-resistant end capswith an exact fit,high-capacity media,uniform pleatsfor optimal flow, and asolid corethat resists collapsing under pressure.

Where are Unicel filters made?

Unicel filters are manufactured inCalifornia, with components sourcedexclusively in the United States. The line comprisesnearly 500 products, covering replacement cartridges, D.E. grids, filter discs, and related parts.

How do I find the right Unicel filter for my spa?

Unicel cartridges areinterchangeable with all major filter brands, and each one cross-references to a list of original equipment part numbers. The most reliable method is topull your current cartridge and read the part number printed on it, then match it to the Unicel cross-reference. If the number has worn off,measure your old cartridge— diameter, length, and the size and style of the openings at each end — and match those instead. Also confirmhow many cartridgesyour spa uses.

How long does a Unicel filter last?

Cartridge life depends on how heavily the spa is used, yourwater chemistry, and how consistently you clean the filter. Many Unicel cartridges useReemay® polyester media, whosetrilobal fibersprovide considerably more surface area than standard rounded fibers — which increases dirt-holding capacity and extends the time between cleanings. With regular rinsing and periodic deep cleaning, a well-maintained cartridge commonly serves a year or more.

When should I replace my filter instead of cleaning it?

Replace the cartridge when thecycle between cleanings becomes noticeably shorter, when you seelow water flowor high differential pressure, when the media has atear, or if thecenter core collapses. Pleats that stay permanently flattened or discolored after a proper cleaning are another sign the cartridge has reached the end of its service life.

About UNICEL®

Unicel is the nation's leading manufacturer of replacement filter cartridges for pools and spas — and the story behind it is a genuinely American one. In the late 1950s, Richard T. Meissner started a small part-time contract sewing operation. Through the 1970s, Meissner Mfg. Co., Inc. moved into swimming pool filter bags, then D.E. grid element covering, and by the end of that decade the company was producing cartridge filters for the industry's original equipment manufacturers.

That's the detail that matters most: Unicel was building the filters that went into new spas long before it sold a replacement. In 1985, the company introduced the UNICEL brand so dealers and technicians could source elements built to O.E.M. specifications from a single place — even for equipment brands they didn't carry. Today the line spans nearly 500 products, all manufactured in California with components sourced exclusively in the USA.

By staying focused on one thing — filtration — Unicel has built deep expertise in a critical corner of the industry, from media development to cartridge design. Every cartridge is built with chemical-resistant end caps for an exact fit, high-capacity filter media, uniform pleats for optimal flow, and a solid core that holds its shape under pressure. Meissner Mfg. Co., Inc. remains owned and operated by the Meissner family, still recognized for quality and service. American-made products, world-class service.