Caldera 73531 | 75 sq ft Utopia Spa Filter

By Caldera
SKU: 73531
$55.00

Let's Ensure This Fits Your Model

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

If you have questions, call us at (208) 973-1384 or send us an email to hello@leisuretimeinc.com

If possible, please have your hot tub’s serial number ready when you contact our team.

Description

TheĀ Caldera 73531 filter cartridgeĀ is aĀ factory-original replacementĀ covering a wide range of Caldera spas. WithĀ 75 square feetĀ of filtration acrossĀ 260 pleatsĀ of heavy-duty polyester, it delivers more efficient filtration and better water clarity — so you spend less time cleaning and more time enjoying your hot tub.

Filtration is the quiet backbone of good spa water. Every soak leaves behindĀ body oils, lotions, hair, and fine debris, and the cartridge is what removes all of it before it clouds the water, feeds bacteria, or coats your plumbing. When a filter is worn or clogged, the effects spread everywhere: dull water, higher chemical use, softer jets, and aĀ pump and heater strainingĀ against restricted flow.

This cartridge is the workhorse of the Caldera lineup — it serves more models across more series than any other size, fromĀ ParadiseĀ® SeriesĀ spas like Salina and Makena to Highland, Aquatic Melodies, and C-Series models. Caldera specifies aĀ heavy-duty polyesterĀ media designed to outlast cheaper alternatives, and aĀ semi-circular handleĀ on top makes lifting the cartridge out for cleaning effortless. Like all Caldera filters, it'sĀ made in the USA.

Pro Tip:Ā Caldera makes more than one 75 sq ft filter — match the part number, not just the size. Several Caldera cartridges share similar dimensions and filtration areas but differ in fitment details, so ordering by "75 square feet" alone can get you a filter that doesn't seat correctly. Pull your current cartridge and read the part number printed on it before you order.

Brand

CalderaĀ®

Key Features
  • 75 sq ft of filtration — full factory-spec filtration area
  • 260 pleats — extensive filtering surface for efficient, thorough filtration
  • Better water clarity — captures more oils, debris, and fine particles
  • Heavy-duty polyester — built to last far longer than cheaper alternatives
  • Broad model coverage — fits many Paradise, Highland, Aquatic Melodies, and C-Series spas
  • Handle top — semi-circular handle makes removal and cleaning easy
How It Works

Water is drawn through the cartridge's pleated polyester media as your spa circulates. TheĀ pleats create the capacity: folding the fabric into 260 pleats packsĀ 75 square feetĀ of filtering surface into a cartridge sized for your filter compartment. That surface area means water passes throughĀ more slowly and thoroughly — capturing finer particles — and it means the filter holds far more debris before flow starts to drop off.

Media quality matters just as much as surface area. TheĀ heavy-duty polyesterĀ Caldera specifies resists the matting and pleat collapse that shorten the life of cheaper fabrics, so the cartridge holds both its filtering performance and its flow rate over time. That balance — capturing effectively without choking flow — is exactly what your spa's circulation and jet systems were engineered around.

Pro Tip: A clean filter protects your equipment, not just your water. As the pleats load up with body oils, your pump has to work harder against the restriction, and reduced flow across the heater can trigger flow-related errors. Regular rinsing and periodic deep cleaning is the cheapest protection there is for the expensive parts of your spa.

Directions for Use

Installation

  1. Turn off power to the spa at the breaker before servicing the filter compartment.
  2. Open the filter lid and clear any debris from the compartment.
  3. Lift the old cartridge out by its handle, noting its orientation.
  4. Seat the new cartridge squarely in the filter well, fully seated top and bottom.
  5. If your spa uses more than one cartridge,Ā replace them at the same timeĀ so they wear evenly.
  6. Close the lid, restore power, and run the circulation to confirm normal flow.

Routine Cleaning

  1. Every two to four weeks:Ā lift the cartridge out by the handle and spray it thoroughly with a garden hose, working between the pleats from top to bottom.
  2. Periodically:Ā soak or treat the cartridge with a dedicated filter cleaner to dissolve the body oils and buildup a rinse can't remove, then rinse it off.
  3. Let it dry fullyĀ before returning it to service whenever possible.

Replace the cartridge when the pleats are torn, flattened, or permanently discolored, or when cleaning no longer restores flow and clarity.

Pro Tip: Rinse from the top down and take your time between the pleats. Most people spray the outside of a filter and call it done, but the debris collectsbetweenthe folds. Working the hose stream down each pleat, all the way around, removes far more than a quick pass — and it noticeably extends how long the cartridge lasts before it needs replacing.

Specifications
  • Brand:Ā Caldera Spas (Watkins Wellness)
  • Part Number:Ā 73531
  • Product Type:Ā Replacement spa filter cartridge
  • Filtration Area:Ā 75 sq ft
  • Pleat Count:Ā 260
  • Media:Ā Heavy-duty polyester
  • Outer Diameter:Ā Approx. 7 in
  • Length:Ā 14-3/4 in
  • Top:Ā Semi-circular handle
  • Bottom:Ā Open center hole
  • Fits:Ā Caldera Paradise Series (Makena, Salina, Reunion, Seychelles, Moorea, Tahitian, Niagara), Highland Series (Olympia, Palomar, Cascade, Teton), Aquatic Melodies (Elation, Aspire), and C-Series (C30, C30S, C45, C45S)
  • Cross-References:Ā Unicel C-7375, Pleatco PCD75N, Filbur FC-3964
  • OEM Alternate:Ā 1019301
  • Aftermarket Alternative:Ā Unicel C-7479
  • Cleaning:Ā Rinse with a hose every two to four weeks; deep clean periodically with filter cleaner
  • Replace When:Ā Pleats are torn, flattened, or permanently discolored, or cleaning no longer restores flow
  • Origin:Ā Factory-original OEM part; made in the USA
  • Shipping:Ā Standard ground; not classified as a hazardous material

  • Filtration Sq Ft: 75
  • Outer Diameter: 7"
  • Length: 14-11/16"
  • Top: Semi-Circular Handle
  • Bottom: Open 1-1/2"
  • Pleat Count:Ā 260
  • Media Weight:Ā 3 oz
Compatibility

The 73531 fits a broad range of Caldera spas across several series:

  • ParadiseĀ® Series:Ā Makena (2013–2023, 2025–current), Salina (2011–current), Reunion (2019–current), Seychelles (2019–current), Moorea (2006–2010), Tahitian (2002–2005), Niagara (2000–2002)
  • Highland Series:Ā Olympia (2000–2009), Palomar (2004–2005), Cascade (2002–2003), Teton (2001)
  • Aquatic Melodies:Ā Elation (2003–2008), Aspire (2004)
  • C-Series:Ā C30 and C30S (2006–2009), C45 and C45S (2006–2009)

It is cross-referenced asĀ Unicel C-7375,Ā Pleatco PCD75N, andĀ Filbur FC-3964, and carries the OEM alternate numberĀ 1019301. LTI also listsĀ Unicel C-7479Ā as an aftermarket alternative. Because Caldera offers more than one cartridge in this size class, confirm yourĀ model and yearĀ before ordering — or simply read the part number off your current filter. For upkeep, pair it with a dedicatedĀ filter cleanerĀ for periodic deep cleaning.

  • Utopia Geneva GEB 2000-2004
  • Utopia Hawaiian HAB 2001-2002
  • Utopia Niagara HIB 2000-2004
  • Utopia Provence 2018-2021
  • Utopia Tahitian 2000-2004
  • Paradise Geneva GEA 2002-2004
  • Paradise Hawaiian HAA 2000-2010
  • Paradise Makena MAA 2013-2023, 2025-Current
  • Paradise Moorea 2006-2010
  • Paradise Niagara NIA 2000-2002
  • Paradise Reunion 2019-Current
  • Paradise Salina 2011-Current
  • Paradise Seychelles 2019-Current
  • Paradise Tahitian 2002-2005
  • Highland Cascade 2002-2003
  • Highland Olympia 2000-2009
  • Highland Palomar 2004-2005
  • Highland Teton 2001
  • Aquatic Melodies Aspire 2004
  • Aquatic Melodies Elation 2003-2008
  • C-Series C30 C30 2006-2009
  • C-Series C30S C30S 2006-2009
  • C-Series C45 C45 2006-2009
  • C-Series C45S C45S 2006-2009

An aftermarket alternative to this filter is Unicel C-7375 Filter Cartridge

An aftermarket alternative to this filter is Unicel C-7479 Filter Cartridge

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.

CalderaĀ® Brand FAQs

Who makes Caldera Spas?

Caldera Spas was founded in1976and is manufactured by Watkins Wellness, a global industry leader that has built more than one million hot tubs. Caldera is recognized throughout the industry for performance, quality, and customer satisfaction — including thirteen consecutive certifications for excellence in customer satisfaction from the consumer group SpaSearch.

What are the Caldera Spas series?

Caldera offers three primary series. The UtopiaĀ®Series is the flagship line — a hydrotherapy powerhouse with architecturally inspired cabinetry, touchscreen controls, and premium features. The ParadiseĀ®Series blends practical and premium for mid-range luxury. The VacanzaĀ®Series delivers signature Caldera comfort and quality at an exceptional value. Caldera also offers a cold plunge.

Which filter does my Caldera spa use?

It depends on your series, model, and year. Caldera uses several different cartridges across its lineup, and even within the same model line the filter can change by year. The most reliable method is to pull your current filter and read the part number printed on it, or check your owner's manual. Also confirm how many cartridgesyour spa takes, since some models use more than one.

How often should I clean and replace my Caldera filter?

As a general rule,rinse with a garden hose every two to four weeks, working between the pleats, and deep clean periodically with a dedicated filter cleaner to dissolve the body oils a rinse can't remove. Replace the cartridge when the pleats are torn, flattened, or permanently discolored, or when cleaning no longer restores flow and water clarity.

Are genuine Caldera filters worth it compared to aftermarket?

Factory-original filters are built to the exact dimensions, filtration area, and flow characteristics your spa's circulation and jet systems were engineered around. An aftermarket filter that fits the opening may still restrict flow or filter less effectively, making your pump work harder and leaving your water less clear. Caldera filters use heavy-duty polyester designed to last far longer than cheaper alternatives, and they're made in the USA.

What water care system do Caldera spas use?

It varies by series. UtopiaĀ® and ParadiseĀ® Series spas are designed for the FreshWaterĀ® Salt System, which produces longer-lasting, natural-feeling water with less maintenance — and FreshWaterĀ® IQ adds in-line self-monitoring that tells you what the water needs. VacanzaĀ® Series spas typically use FROGĀ® water care systems. Whichever system you run, clean filters and a consistent routine are what keep the water clear.

About CalderaĀ®

Founded inĀ 1976,Ā CalderaĀ® SpasĀ is one of the most heralded and trusted spa brands in the world. Caldera is manufactured byĀ Watkins Wellness — the global industry leader that has built more thanĀ one million hot tubs — and is recognized throughout the industry for performance, quality, and customer satisfaction.

What sets a Caldera apart is a relentless focus on how it actually feels to use. Comfort is the essential element: deep, cradling seats and a textured Foot Ridge® keep you relaxed and seated even under powerful jets, perfectly positioned hydrotherapy melts tension away, and a whisper-quiet sound-dampening design lets you actually unwind. Every detail is crafted to awaken the senses, from rich colors and contemporary cabinet styles to the organic contours of the sculpted seats. It's the signature blend Caldera owners know as Pure Comfort®, Pure Performance®, and Pure Style®.

The lineup spans three series — the flagshipĀ Utopia® hydrotherapy powerhouse, the premium-yet-practicalĀ ParadiseĀ®, and the exceptional-valueĀ Vacanza® — all engineered for comfort, efficient energy use, and simple maintenance. Genuine Caldera parts and filters are built to the same standard as the spas themselves, so your equipment keeps performing exactly as designed.Ā Come to Caldera. Come to life.