Unicel C-8499 | 100 sq ft Astral & Speck Filter
The Unicel C-8499 is a large-capacity replacement filter cartridge delivering 100 square feet of filtration across 168 pleats of heavyweight 4 oz Reemay® polyester media. Built to meet or exceed OEM specifications, it replaces part 18112R0100 and fits Astral and Speck Pumps systems.
Filtration is the quiet backbone of clean water. Body oils, lotions, hair, and fine debris all have to come out, or they cloud the water, feed bacteria, and coat your plumbing. When a filter is worn or clogged, the effects spread everywhere: dull water, higher chemical use, weaker circulation, and a pump and heater straining against restricted flow.
Two things set this cartridge apart. First, it's big — nearly 20 inches tall and almost 9 inches across, carrying a full 100 square feet of media. Second, it uses 4 oz Reemay rather than the 3 oz fabric found in most cartridges: a denser, more substantial material that stands up better to repeated cleanings and resists the matting that shortens a filter's life. Its trilobal fibers — three-lobed rather than round — deliver roughly 45% more surface area than standard filter fibers. Open end caps with lip seals at both top and bottom complete the design. Made in the USA.
UNICEL®
UNICEL® 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 useReemay® 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 UNICEL®
Unicel 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, Richard T. Meissner 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 producing cartridge filters for the industry's original equipment manufacturers.
That's the detail that matters most: Unicel was building the filters that went into new spas long before it sold a replacement. In 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 spans nearly 500 products, all manufactured in 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 with chemical-resistant end caps for an exact fit, high-capacity filter media, uniform pleats for optimal flow, and a solid core that holds its shape under pressure. Meissner Mfg. Co., Inc. remains owned and operated by the Meissner family, still recognized for quality and service. American-made products, world-class service.
