PA106 / C-7488 / FC-1226
106 sq ft replacement filter cartridge • 7″ OD × 25.5″ long
Hayward's SwimClear C4020, C4025, and C4030 filters hold four of these cartridges, not one. Each is 106 square feet, for 425 square feet of filtration all told. When it's time to replace them, replace all four together. Mix a fresh cartridge with three tired ones and most of the water pushes through the new one, which shortens its life. Hayward numbers it CX880XRE, and the cross-references are Unicel C-7488 and Filbur FC-1226. At 7 inches across and 25-1/2 inches tall it's nearly identical in size to the single-cartridge PA100N used in Super-Star-Clear tanks, so confirm your filter is a four-element SwimClear before you buy a set of four.
Compare on Amazon
PA106 replacements on Amazon
The buttons below pull up Amazon results for each cross-reference part number. Same physical cartridge, different stickers, often different prices. Cross-shop and pick the cheapest option that has solid recent reviews.
Cross-Reference & Interchangeable Part Numbers
| Brand | Part Number | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Pleatco | PA106 | Primary |
| Unicel | C-7488 | Equivalent |
| Filbur | FC-1226 | Equivalent |
| OEM | Hayward CX880XRE | Original Equipment |
Always verify dimensions and end-cap type before purchasing a replacement.
Compatible Pool Filter Systems
| Brand | Model |
|---|---|
| Hayward | SwimClear C4020 |
| Hayward | SwimClear C4025 |
| Hayward | SwimClear C4030 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the dimensions of the PA106?
The PA106 is 7 inches in outer diameter, 25.5 inches long, with an open top and an open bottom. Total filtration area is 106 square feet. Before ordering, pull your existing cartridge and measure it yourself, or check the label inside the housing. OD and length both have to match within about an eighth of an inch, and the end-cap style needs to match exactly so the cartridge seats properly when the lid closes.
What other part numbers are interchangeable with the PA106?
PA106 is the same physical cartridge as C-7488, FC-1226, plus OEM versions like Hayward CX880XRE. Same dimensions (7" × 25.5"), same open top, same open bottom. The Pleatco, Unicel, and Filbur boxes ship the same media inside, just with different stickers. The only thing to watch is the end-cap style: if a cross-reference has a slightly different cap design, it may not seat right in your housing.
Is the Hayward CX880XRE the same filter as the PA106?
Yes. Hayward CX880XRE is an OEM number, the code the tub or pool builder stamps on the cartridge they ship. The filter itself is made by Pleatco, Unicel, or Filbur, so Hayward CX880XRE and PA106, C-7488, FC-1226 all point to one interchangeable cartridge. Buy whichever is cheapest with solid recent reviews, and just check that the dimensions match your old cartridge before you order.
How often should I replace the PA106?
The PA106 holds 106 sq ft of media, so it has a healthy buffer before it clogs for good. Plan on 18 to 24 months in a normal residential pool. The pressure gauge is the honest signal here: an 8 to 10 psi rise over the clean pressure that a soak can't reverse means it's time. Channeling, tears, or fibers that won't rinse clean are the other reasons to swap it early.
How do I clean the PA106?
The PA106 has open ends on both top and bottom, so water flows straight through. Pull the cartridge from the housing and hose it down. Hit the pleats from above at about a 45-degree angle so water rinses debris out instead of packing it deeper, and work top to bottom while rotating the cartridge. Skip the pressure washer. The high pressure tears or collapses pleats, and once that happens you've lost media that doesn't come back. Every few months, give it a deeper clean: soak in a dedicated pool filter cleaner per the product's dwell time, then rinse it down completely before reinstalling. Keeping a spare cartridge on the shelf is genuinely worth it. You swap, run the soak overnight, and the pool keeps filtering.
Which hot tubs and spas use the PA106?
Pull your existing cartridge and read the part number off the end cap, or check the label inside the filter compartment. That's the most reliable way to confirm compatibility.
Dimensions
Specifications
| Outer Diameter | 7″ |
|---|---|
| Length | 25.5″ |
| Top Type | Open (no end cap) |
| Bottom Type | Open (no end cap) |
| Filtration Area | 106 sq ft |
| Primary Brand | Pleatco |
| Part Number | PA106 |
Fitment notes
3-inch top and bottom openings. Hayward SwimClear C4020, C4025, C4030 (4 cartridges required, 425 sq ft total).