Hot Spring Prism 78286 | Limelight Spa Filter

SKU: 78286
$77.99

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 Hot Spring Prism 78286 filter cartridgeĀ is theĀ factory-original replacementĀ built specifically for theĀ Hot Spring LimelightĀ® Prism. WithĀ 260 pleatsĀ of heavy-duty polyester media, it delivers more efficient filtration and better water clarity — so you spend less time on maintenance and more time enjoying your spa.

Your filter handles the work you never see. Every soak introducesĀ 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 wears out or clogs, the symptoms show up everywhere else: dull water, more chemical use, softer jets, and aĀ pump and heater strainingĀ against restricted flow.

Hot Spring spas are engineered asĀ hydraulically balancedĀ systems — matching filter fabric to water flow — and theyĀ filter 100% of the water, 100% of the time. That's precisely why a model-specific, factory-spec cartridge matters: the right filtration area and flow characteristics are what keep your filtration efficient, your jet pressure correct, and your pump running comfortably. Made in the USA fromĀ heavy-duty polyester, this filter is built to last considerably longer than generic alternatives.

Pro Tip:Ā The Prism uses its own filter — don't assume all Limelight models share one. Other 2018-and-newer Limelight spas (Pulse, Flair, Flash, and Beam) use a different cartridge, while the Prism takes this 78286. If you're ever unsure, pull your current filter and read the part number printed on it. Your old cartridge is the most reliable guide there is.

Brand

Hot SpringĀ®

Key Features
  • Built for the Limelight Prism — the factory-specified cartridge for this model
  • 260 pleats — more filtering surface for finer, more efficient filtration
  • Better water clarity — captures more oils, debris, and fine particles
  • Heavy-duty polyester — designed to last far longer than generic filters
  • Factory original — genuine Watkins part built to Hot Spring's exact specification
  • Made in the USA — like all Hot Spring filters
How It Works

As your spa circulates, water is drawn through the cartridge's pleated polyester media. TheĀ pleat count is what does the work: folding the fabric into 260 pleats packs a large amount of filtering surface into a cartridge sized for your filter compartment. More surface area means water passes throughĀ more slowly and thoroughly — capturing finer particles — and it means the filter holds more debris before flow starts to drop off.

Media quality matters just as much as pleat count. TheĀ heavy-duty polyesterĀ Watkins specifies resists the packing-down and pleat collapse that shortens the life of cheaper fabrics, so the cartridge keeps both its filtering performance and its flow rate over time. That balance — effective capture without choking flow — is what your Prism's circulation and jet systems were designed around.

Pro Tip: A clean filter protects your equipment, not just your water. As pleats load with oils, your pump has to work harder against the restriction, and reduced flow across the heater can trigger flow-related errors. Regular rinsing and monthly deep cleaning is the cheapest protection available 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 out the old cartridge, noting its orientation.
  4. Seat the new cartridge squarely in the filter well, making sure it's 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 weeks:Ā spray the cartridge thoroughly with a garden hose, working between the pleats from top to bottom.
  2. Monthly:Ā treat 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 sitsbetweenthe 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 Hot Spring (Watkins Mfg)
  • Part Number:Ā 78286
  • Product Type:Ā Replacement spa filter cartridge
  • Pleat Count:Ā 260
  • Media:Ā Heavy-duty polyester
  • Fits:Ā Hot Spring Limelight Prism
  • Does Not Fit:Ā Other 2018+ Limelight models (Pulse, Flair, Flash, Beam use 78161); 2008–2017 Limelight (use 71827); not a Tri-X ceramic replacement
  • Durability:Ā Designed to last far longer than generic replacement filters
  • Cleaning:Ā Rinse with a hose every two weeks; deep clean monthly 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: 6-1/4"
  • Length: 14"
  • Top: Open 2"
  • Bottom: Open 2"
  • Pleat Count:Ā 290
  • Media Weight: 3 oz
Compatibility

The 78286 cartridge is the replacement filter for theĀ Hot Spring LimelightĀ® PrismĀ hot tub.

Because Limelight models don't all share the same filter, it's worth confirming before you order. OtherĀ 2018-and-newer LimelightĀ spas — Pulse, Flair, Flash, and Beam — use theĀ 78161Ā cartridge instead, andĀ 2008–2017 LimelightĀ spas use theĀ 71827. This filter is alsoĀ notĀ a Tri-X ceramic replacement. Check your model, year, andĀ how many cartridges your spa takes, or simply read the part number off your current filter. For upkeep, pair it with aĀ FreshWater filter cleanerĀ for periodic deep cleaning.

  • Limelight Prism 2018-Current

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.

Hot SpringĀ® Brand FAQs

Who makes Hot Spring spas?

Hot Spring spas are made by Watkins Wellness, a company with more than45 years of hydrotherapy expertise and part of the Masco family of brands. Hot Spring is one of the most recognized and highest rated names in hot tubs, known for legendary massage, easy water care, and leading energy efficiency.

What are the Hot Spring spa collections?

Hot Spring offers four collections. The HighlifeĀ® Collection is the flagship line, with premium design, specialized jets, smart water care, and 100% filtration. The LimelightĀ® Collection features advanced design with targeted jets. The Hot SpotĀ® Collection delivers the essential Hot Spring experience with comfortable jets and a salt system. The FreeflowĀ® Collection offers Plug-N-Play ease with gentle jets. Hot Spring also makes the Vigorā„¢cold plunge.

Which filter does my Hot Spring spa use?

It depends on your model and year. Many Hot Spring spas use the Tri-X ceramic cartridge filter, marked P/N 0969601 on the top, while others use polyester (paper) cartridges or the larger filters found in Limelight models. The most reliable way to confirm is to check your owner's manual, or pull your current filter and read the part number printed on it. Also check how many filters your spa takes, since some models use more than one.

How often should I clean and replace my spa filter?

As a general rule, rinse every two weeks and deep clean periodically with a dedicated filter cleaner to dissolve the oils a rinse can't remove. Replacement intervals depend on the type: polyester cartridges are typically replaced aboutonce a year, while a Tri-X ceramic filter can last up to five years with proper maintenance. Replace any filter sooner if the pleats are torn, flattened, or permanently discolored.

Are genuine Hot Spring filters worth it compared to aftermarket?

Factory-original filters are built to the exact dimensions and flow characteristics your spa's filtration and jet pump systems were engineered around. An aftermarket filter that fits the opening may still restrict flow or filter less effectively, which can make your pump work harder and leave your water less clear. Genuine filters are the safest choice for protecting both water quality and equipment.

What makes water care easier on a Hot Spring spa?

Hot Spring builds water care into the spa itself. Many models use the FreshWaterĀ® IQ salt water system, which monitors water hourly and provides clear instructions with Precision Dosing to help keep water balanced with less effort. Combined with effective filtration and a regular cleaning routine, that's what keeps Hot Spring water clear and comfortable with minimal hands-on maintenance.

About Hot SpringĀ®

For more thanĀ 45 years,Ā Hot SpringĀ has been one of the most trusted names in hot tubs. Built byĀ Watkins Wellness — part of the Masco family of brands — Hot Spring spas are engineered around a simple promise: heat that soothes, crystal clear water that invites, and innovation you can actually feel. It's a wellness experience designed to help youĀ unleash your best self.

That promise comes down to three advantages owners notice every day.Ā Better massage, from decades of hydrotherapy expertise and specialized jet systems that deliver a personalized soak.Ā Better water, through exclusive technologies like theĀ FreshWaterĀ® IQĀ salt water system that helps keep water balanced with far less effort. AndĀ better energy, with theĀ Energy SmartĀ® SystemĀ that keeps water hot and ready while holding operating costs down.

The lineup spans four collections — the flagshipĀ HighlifeĀ®, the design-forwardĀ LimelightĀ®, the essentialĀ Hot SpotĀ®, and the Plug-N-PlayĀ Freeflow® — along with theĀ Vigor™ cold plunge. Genuine Hot Spring parts and filters are built to the same standard as the spas themselves, so your equipment keeps performing exactly as it was engineered to.