PA131 / C-7494 / FC-1227
131 sq ft replacement filter cartridge • 7″ OD × 32.75″ long
This is the tallest of Hayward's SwimClear cartridges, at nearly 33 inches, and the C5020, C5025, and C5030 filters take a set of four for 525 square feet total. As with all the four-cartridge SwimClear tanks, replace the whole set at once so they load and wear evenly. Hayward's number is CX1280XRE, and the cross-references are Unicel C-7494 and Filbur FC-1227. The extra height is what separates this from the shorter SwimClear elements, so measure before you order. A C5000-series tank won't seal properly around the shorter cartridges from a C4000 filter, and vice versa.
Compare on Amazon
PA131 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 | PA131 | Primary |
| Unicel | C-7494 | Equivalent |
| Filbur | FC-1227 | Equivalent |
| OEM | Hayward CX1280XRE | Original Equipment |
Always verify dimensions and end-cap type before purchasing a replacement.
Compatible Pool Filter Systems
| Brand | Model |
|---|---|
| Hayward | SwimClear C5020 |
| Hayward | SwimClear C5025 |
| Hayward | SwimClear C5030 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the dimensions of the PA131?
The PA131 is 7 inches in outer diameter, 32.75 inches long, with an open top and an open bottom. Total filtration area is 131 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 PA131?
PA131 is the same physical cartridge as C-7494, FC-1227, plus OEM versions like Hayward CX1280XRE. Same dimensions (7" × 32.75"), 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 CX1280XRE the same filter as the PA131?
Yes. Hayward CX1280XRE 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 CX1280XRE and PA131, C-7494, FC-1227 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 PA131?
At 131 sq ft the PA131 is a large-format pool cartridge with a lot of media to load up before it fails. In a residential pool with balanced water, two years is a realistic lifespan, sometimes more. Go by pressure rather than the calendar: once filter pressure climbs 8 to 10 psi over the clean starting point and an overnight soak won't bring it back, the media is spent. Torn or channeled pleats mean replacement no matter how old the cartridge is.
How do I clean the PA131?
The PA131 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 PA131?
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 | 32.75″ |
| Top Type | Open (no end cap) |
| Bottom Type | Open (no end cap) |
| Filtration Area | 131 sq ft |
| Primary Brand | Pleatco |
| Part Number | PA131 |
Fitment notes
3-inch top and bottom openings. Hayward SwimClear C5020, C5025, C5030 (4 cartridges required, 525 sq ft total).