Unicel C-8450 | 50 sq ft Coleman/Maax Spa Filter

By Unicel
SKU: C-8450
$60.99

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.

In stock

Pickup available at Leisure Time Inc. - Idaho Falls

Usually ready in 24 hours

View store information

Description

TheĀ Unicel C-8450Ā deliversĀ 50 square feetĀ of filtration acrossĀ 193 pleatsĀ ofĀ ReemayĀ® 2033 polyester media. Part of Unicel'sĀ 8000 Series, it's precision-engineered forĀ ColemanĀ® and Maax® spa filtration systems — built toĀ meet or exceed OEM specificationsĀ for a true drop-in fit.

Filtration is the quiet backbone of clean 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.

What separates a Unicel from a bargain cartridge is what it's built from. TheĀ ReemayĀ media uses trilobal fibers — three-lobed rather than round — which pack substantiallyĀ more surface areaĀ into the same material, trapping more dirt and oil without choking your pump's flow. AddĀ chemical-resistant end capsĀ engineered to the original manufacturer's dimensions for a leak-free seal,Ā sharp, rigid pleatsĀ that resist collapsing during cleaning, and aĀ solid coreĀ that holds its shape under pressure, and you get a cartridge that performs through cleaning after cleaning. Made in the USA.

Pro Tip:Ā Check the bottom of your current filter before ordering — this one is different. Most spa cartridges are open at both ends, but the C-8450 has aĀ 2-inch male slip fittingĀ at the bottom that threads into the filter housing, with an open top. Matching that fitting style matters more than matching square footage: a cartridge with the right filtration area but the wrong bottom connection won't seal, and unfiltered water will bypass the media entirely.

Brand

UNICELĀ®

Key Features
  • 50 sq ft of filtration — full OEM-spec filtration area across 193 pleats
  • Reemay 2033 polyester media — trilobal fibers trap more dirt without restricting flow
  • Precision OEM fit — engineered to Coleman and Maax dimensions for a leak-free seal
  • 2-inch male slip bottom — the correct fitting configuration for these spas
  • Sharp, rigid pleats — resist collapsing during cleaning for a longer service life
  • Made in the USA — built to meet or exceed OEM standards
How It Works

Water is drawn through the cartridge's pleated media as your spa circulates.Ā Pleating creates the capacity: folding the fabric into 193 pleats packsĀ 50 square feetĀ of filtering surface into a cartridge 8 inches across and 9 inches tall. More surface 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.

The media does the rest.Ā ReemayĀ fibers areĀ trilobal — three-lobed in cross-section rather than round — which packs considerably more surface area into the same material, giving more places for dirt and oils to be captured and a smooth surface that releases them readily when rinsed. Just as important is theĀ fit: Unicel engineers its cartridges to the original manufacturer's exact dimensions, which produces a tight seal in the filter housing. That matters more than most people realize — a loose cartridge lets waterĀ bypass the media entirely, sending debris straight back into your spa no matter how good the filter fabric is.

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. Remove the old cartridge, noting its orientation and how many your spa uses.
  4. Lower the new cartridge in with theĀ male slip fitting facing down, seating it firmly into the housing connection so it seals properly.
  5. If your spa uses two cartridges,Ā replace both at the same timeĀ so they wear evenly and flow stays balanced.
  6. Close the lid, restore power, and run the circulation to confirm normal flow.

Routine Cleaning

  1. Every two to four weeks:Ā remove the cartridge andĀ rinse gently with a garden hose, working between the pleats from top to bottom. A soft brush cleaning tool helps.
  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.

When to Replace

  • The cycle between cleanings gets noticeablyĀ shorter
  • Low water flowĀ or high differential pressure
  • The media has aĀ tear
  • TheĀ center core collapses

Cartridge life depends on routine maintenance and your spa's water chemistry.

Pro Tip: Skip the pressure washer — a garden hose is the right tool. It's tempting to blast a dirty cartridge clean, but high-pressure water drives debris deeper into the media and can tear the pleats or damage the fibers, permanently reducing how well the filter works. Steady hose pressure worked patiently down each pleat gets it cleaner and keeps the cartridge intact far longer.

Specifications
  • Brand:Ā Unicel (Meissner Mfg. Co., Inc.)
  • Part Number:Ā C-8450
  • Series:Ā Unicel 8000 Series
  • Product Type:Ā Replacement spa filter cartridge
  • Filtration Area:Ā 50 sq ft
  • Pleat Count:Ā 193
  • Media:Ā Reemay 2033 spunbonded polyester, 3 oz basis weight
  • Outer Diameter:Ā 8 in
  • Length:Ā 9 in
  • Top End Cap:Ā Open, approx. 2-1/16 in inner diameter
  • Bottom End Cap:Ā 2 in male slip fitting
  • End Caps:Ā Durable plastic, chemical-resistant, exact OEM fit
  • Core:Ā Solid core for structural integrity and optimized flow
  • Fits:Ā Coleman Spas and Maax Spas filtration systems
  • Replaces OEM:Ā Coleman Spas 3301-2261, Coleman Spas 100593
  • Cross-References:Ā Pleatco PCS50N, Filbur FC-3310
  • Quantity Needed:Ā Some Coleman and Maax models use two cartridges — check your filter housing before ordering
  • Cleaning:Ā Rinse gently with a garden hose every two to four weeks; deep clean periodically with filter cleaner. Do not pressure wash.
  • Origin:Ā Made in the USA
  • Shipping:Ā Standard ground; not classified as a hazardous material

  • Outer Diameter: 8"
  • Length: 9"
  • Top End Cap: 2-1/16" / open
  • Bottom End Cap: 2" male slip fitting
  • Pleat Count: 193
  • Media: 3 oz.
  • Filtration Square Footage: 50 sq. ft
Compatibility

The C-8450 is built forĀ ColemanĀ® SpasĀ andĀ MaaxĀ® SpasĀ filtration systems. It serves as a direct replacement for these OEM cartridges:

  • Coleman Spas:Ā 3301-2261, 100593

It's also cross-referenced asĀ Pleatco PCS50NĀ andĀ Filbur FC-3310.

Two things to confirm before ordering. First,Ā how many cartridges your spa takes — some Coleman and Maax models useĀ twoĀ filters, so check whether your filter housing has one filter well or two. Second, verify theĀ bottom fitting style, since this cartridge uses a 2-inch male slip connection rather than an open end. The surest method for both is toĀ pull your current cartridge and read the part number printed on it. For upkeep, pair it with a dedicatedĀ filter cleanerĀ for periodic deep cleaning.

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.

UNICELĀ® 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 useReemayĀ® 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 UNICELĀ®

UnicelĀ 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,Ā Richard T. MeissnerĀ 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 producingĀ cartridge filters for the industry's original equipment manufacturers.

That's the detail that matters most: Unicel wasĀ building the filters that went into new spas long before it sold a replacement. InĀ 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 spansĀ nearly 500 products, all manufactured inĀ 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 withĀ chemical-resistant end capsĀ for an exact fit,Ā high-capacity filter media,Ā uniform pleatsĀ for optimal flow, and aĀ solid coreĀ that holds its shape under pressure. Meissner Mfg. Co., Inc. remainsĀ owned and operated by the Meissner family, still recognized for quality and service. American-made products, world-class service.