Unicel C-8326 | 125 sq ft Sundance Spa Filter

By Unicel
SKU: C-8326
$115.00

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

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Description

TheĀ Unicel C-8326Ā is aĀ large-capacityĀ spa filter cartridge deliveringĀ 125 square feetĀ of filtration acrossĀ 199 pleatsĀ ofĀ ReemayĀ® 2033 polyester media, capturing debris down to an average ofĀ 20 microns. Built toĀ meet or exceed OEM specifications, it's the replacement forĀ SundanceĀ® SpasĀ MicrocleanĀ® Plus filtration systems.

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 serious cartridge — 19 inches tallĀ and 8-7/16 inches across, holdingĀ 125 square feetĀ of filtering surface. That capacity is exactly what a large, jet-heavy Sundance spa demands, and it's why a single cartridge can carry the filtration load. ItsĀ 1-1/2 inch male slip fittingĀ on top seats into the housing connection, while theĀ 2-1/2 inch open beveled bottomĀ completes the seal. AddĀ sharp, uniform pleat foldsĀ that maximize flow and minimize pressure loss, plusĀ chemical-resistant end caps, and you get a filter built to perform through cleaning after cleaning. Made in the USA.

Pro Tip:Ā If you own a Sundance spa built before 2006, check your filter housing first. Sundance models datedĀ prior to 2006Ā contain aĀ core block or plugĀ in the filter assembly, which affects how the cartridge seats. Confirm what your spa uses before ordering — a quick look at your existing cartridge and housing saves the hassle of a return on a large filter like this one.

Brand

UNICELĀ®

Key Features
  • 125 sq ft of filtration — large-capacity, full OEM-spec filtration area
  • 199 pleats — extensive filtering surface across a 19-inch cartridge
  • Captures down to 20 microns — removes particles far finer than the eye can see
  • Reemay 2033 polyester media — balances dirt-holding capacity, cleanability, and chemical resistance
  • Precision end caps — 1-1/2 in male slip top and 2-1/2 in open beveled bottom for an exact OEM fit
  • 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 199 pleats packs a fullĀ 125 square feetĀ of filtering surface into a cartridge 8-7/16 inches across and 19 inches tall. All that surface means water passes throughĀ more slowly and thoroughly, capturing finer particles, and it means the filter holds a great deal of 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 to be captured and a smooth surface that releases it readily when rinsed. Just as important is theĀ fit: the male slip fitting on top and the beveled open bottom are engineered to Sundance's exact dimensions, creating a positive seal. That matters more than people realize — a loose cartridge lets waterĀ bypass the media entirely, sending debris straight back into your spa no matter how good the 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.
  4. Lower the new cartridge in with theĀ male slip fitting facing upĀ toward the housing connection, seating it firmly so both ends seal 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 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: Give a cartridge this size room to dry. At 19 inches tall with 125 square feet of media, it holds a lot of water and takes considerably longer to dry than a small filter — and returning a damp cartridge to service traps moisture in the pleats. Stand it upright somewhere it can drain fully, and if you soak it in a filter cleaner, plan the job for a day when the spa can sit idle or you have a spare cartridge ready to swap in.

Specifications
  • Brand:Ā Unicel (Meissner Mfg. Co., Inc.)
  • Part Number:Ā C-8326
  • Series:Ā Unicel 8000 Series
  • Product Type:Ā Replacement spa filter cartridge
  • Filtration Area:Ā 125 sq ft
  • Pleat Count:Ā 199
  • Filtration Rating:Ā Captures debris to an average of 20 microns
  • Media:Ā Reemay 2033 spunbonded polyester, 3 oz basis weight
  • Outer Diameter:Ā 8-7/16 in
  • Length:Ā 19 in
  • Top End Cap:Ā 1-1/2 in male slip fitting
  • Bottom End Cap:Ā Open with beveled edge, 2-1/2 in inner diameter
  • End Caps:Ā Durable plastic, chemical-resistant, exact OEM fit
  • Fits:Ā Sundance Spas — Microclean Plus filtration systems
  • Replaces OEM:Ā Sundance Spas 6540-488 (6540488)
  • Also Sold As:Ā Unicel C-8327 — the exact same filter under a different part number
  • Model Note:Ā Sundance models dated before 2006 contain a core block/plug — verify 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: 8-7/16"
  • Length: 19"
  • Top End Cap: 1-1/2" male slip fitting
  • Bottom End Cap: 2-1/2" / open w/ beveled edge
  • Pleat Count: 199
  • Media: 3 oz.
  • Filtration Square Footage: 125 sq. ft
Compatibility

The C-8326 is built forĀ SundanceĀ® SpasĀ systems using theĀ MicrocleanĀ® PlusĀ cartridge. It serves as a direct replacement for:

  • Sundance Spas:Ā 6540-488 (also written 6540488)

Worth knowing: theĀ Unicel C-8327 is the exact same filterĀ as this one — identical cartridge, simply carried under a second part number. If your current filter or paperwork shows either number, this is the correct replacement.

Before ordering, confirm theĀ end fittingsĀ (1-1/2 inch male slip on top, 2-1/2 inch open beveled bottom) and note thatĀ Sundance models dated before 2006Ā contain a core block or plug in the filter assembly. 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.

  • 980 Series: 2017-Present
  • 880 Series: 2009-2023
  • 780 Series: 2007-2025

Select Series

  • Constance 2011-2018
  • Victoria 2011-2018

880 Series

  • Maxxus 2005-2008
  • Cameo 2005-2008
  • Optima 2005-2008
  • Altamar 2006-2008
  • Majesta 2006-2008
  • Marin 2006-2008
  • Capri 2006-2008

850 Series

  • Maxxus 2002-2004
  • Cameo 2002-2004
  • Optima 2002-2004
  • Altamar 2002-2005
  • Majesta 2002-2005
  • Marin 2002-2005
  • Capri 2002-2005

780 Series

  • Bahia 2006
  • Cayman 2006
  • Palermo 2006

780/850E Series

  • Caprio 2002-2007
  • CaprioST 2002-2007

Portofino

  • Tango 2002-2003

This filter and Unicel C-8327 are the exact same filter, they just have different part numbers.

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.