Unicel C-7479 | 75 sq ft Caldera Spa Filter

By Unicel
SKU: C-7479
$76.99

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.

Low stock

Pickup available at Leisure Time Inc. - Idaho Falls

Usually ready in 24 hours

View store information

Description

TheĀ Unicel C-7479Ā deliversĀ 75 square feetĀ of filtration acrossĀ 216 pleatsĀ ofĀ ReemayĀ® 2033 polyester media. Built toĀ meet or exceed OEM specifications, it's the replacement cartridge forĀ CalderaĀ® SpasĀ models using OEM partĀ 033017.

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.

This is a substantial cartridge — 14-3/4 inches tallĀ withĀ 75 square feetĀ of filtering surface — sized for the demands of a full-size Caldera spa. AĀ semi-circular handleĀ molded into the top makes lifting it out effortless, while theĀ 2-inch male slip fittingĀ on the bottom seats into the housing connection for a positive seal. The media isĀ Reemay, whoseĀ trilobalĀ fibers deliver roughlyĀ 45% more surface areaĀ than standard rounded filter fibers, so it captures more and releases dirt readily when rinsed. Made in the USA.

Pro Tip:Ā Check the bottom fitting — it's the only thing separating this from the C-7375. Both cartridges areĀ 75 sq ft with 216 pleats, both measureĀ 7 by 14-3/4 inches, and both have a semi-circular handle on top. The difference is underneath: thisĀ C-7479 has a 2-inch male slip fitting, while theĀ C-7375 has a 2-11/16 inch open bottom. Turn your old cartridge over before ordering — that one look settles it.

Brand

UNICELĀ®

Key Features
  • 75 sq ft of filtration — full OEM-spec filtration area across 216 pleats
  • Direct Caldera replacement — takes the place of OEM part 033017
  • 45% more surface area — Reemay trilobal fibers outperform standard rounded fibers
  • Semi-circular handle — makes removal and cleaning effortless
  • 2 in male slip bottom — seats positively into the housing connection
  • 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 216 pleats packsĀ 75 square feetĀ of filtering surface into a cartridge 7 inches across and 14-3/4 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 delivers roughlyĀ 45% more surface areaĀ than standard rounded filter fibers, giving more places for dirt to be captured and a smooth surface that releases it readily when rinsed. Just as important is theĀ slip fitting: it seats the cartridge positively into the housing so water is forcedĀ throughĀ the media rather than slipping around a loose connection. A cartridge that isn't sealing properly filters far less than its rating suggests.

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. Lower the new cartridge in with theĀ slip fitting facing down, seating it firmly into the housing connection so it seals properly.
  5. If your spa uses more than one cartridge,Ā replace them 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 lift the cartridge out by the handle 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: Inspect the slip fitting each time you clean the filter. That plastic collar is what creates the seal between the cartridge and the housing, and a crack, burr, or distortion there will let unfiltered water bypass the media entirely — even when the pleats look spotless. It's a five-second check while the cartridge is already out, and it explains cloudy water that no amount of chemistry seems to fix.

Specifications
  • Brand:Ā Unicel (Meissner Mfg. Co., Inc.)
  • Part Number:Ā C-7479
  • Series:Ā Unicel 7000 Series
  • Product Type:Ā Replacement spa filter cartridge
  • Filtration Area:Ā 75 sq ft
  • Pleat Count:Ā 216
  • Media:Ā Reemay 2033 spunbonded trilobal polyester, 3 oz basis weight
  • Outer Diameter:Ā 7 in
  • Length:Ā 14-3/4 in
  • Top:Ā Semi-circular handle
  • Bottom:Ā 2 in male slip fitting
  • End Caps:Ā Durable plastic, chemical-resistant, exact OEM fit
  • Fits:Ā Caldera Spas models using the 033017 cartridge
  • Replaces OEM:Ā Caldera Spas 033017
  • Cross-References:Ā Pleatco PCD75, Filbur FC-3085, RJ Filtration AK-6050
  • Alternate:Ā Unicel notes the C-7375 can also be used as a replacement in this application
  • Not the Same As:Ā The C-7375 in general fitment — identical size and pleat count, but a 2-11/16 in open bottom instead of a 2 in male slip fitting
  • 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: 7"
  • Length: 14-3/4"
  • Top End Cap: semi-circular handle
  • Bottom End Cap: 2" male slip fitting
  • Pleat Count: 216
  • Media: 3 oz.
  • Filtration Square Footage: 75 sq. ft
Compatibility

The C-7479 is built forĀ CalderaĀ® SpasĀ models using this cartridge. It serves as a direct replacement for:

  • Caldera Spas:Ā 033017

It's also cross-referenced asĀ Pleatco PCD75,Ā Filbur FC-3085, andĀ RJ Filtration AK-6050.

Unicel notes that theĀ C-7375 can also be used as a replacementĀ in this application — useful to know if you find that cartridge more readily available. The two share the same 75 sq ft rating, 216 pleats, and 7 by 14-3/4 inch body, differing only in the bottom end cap.

Before ordering, verify theĀ 2-inch male slip fittingĀ on the bottom, theĀ semi-circular handleĀ on top, and theĀ 7 inch diameter by 14-3/4 inch length, since Caldera has used several cartridge designs across its model years. Also confirmĀ how many cartridges your spa takes. The surest method 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.