PA81 / C-7483 / FC-1225
81 sq ft replacement filter cartridge • 7″ OD × 19″ long
The PA81 fits Hayward's SwimClear C3020, C3025, and C3030 filters. It's an 81-square-foot cartridge, 7 inches wide and 19 inches tall. Hayward's part number is CX580XRE, and it crosses to Unicel C-7483 and Filbur FC-1225. SwimClear tanks are the multi-cartridge kind, so check how many your housing holds and plan to replace them as a complete set rather than one at a time. A single fresh cartridge among worn ones does most of the work and wears out early. Confirm the cartridge length against your tank model, since the SwimClear line uses the same diameter across several heights.
Compare on Amazon
PA81 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 | PA81 | Primary |
| Unicel | C-7483 | Equivalent |
| Filbur | FC-1225 | Equivalent |
| OEM | Hayward CX580XRE | Original Equipment |
Always verify dimensions and end-cap type before purchasing a replacement.
Compatible Pool Filter Systems
| Brand | Model |
|---|---|
| Hayward | SwimClear C3020 |
| Hayward | SwimClear C3025 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the dimensions of the PA81?
The PA81 is 7 inches in outer diameter, 19 inches long, with an open top and an open bottom. Total filtration area is 81 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 PA81?
PA81 is the same physical cartridge as C-7483, FC-1225, plus OEM versions like Hayward CX580XRE. Same dimensions (7" × 19"), 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 CX580XRE the same filter as the PA81?
Yes. Hayward CX580XRE 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 CX580XRE and PA81, C-7483, FC-1225 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 PA81?
At 81 sq ft the PA81 runs smaller than the big 100-plus sq ft pool cartridges, so it has less buffer between cleanings. Expect 12 to 18 months in normal use, less if the pool sees heavy traffic or the chemistry drifts. Watch the gauge: when pressure sits 8 to 10 psi above the clean starting point and a soak won't drop it, put in a fresh one.
How do I clean the PA81?
The PA81 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 PA81?
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 | 19″ |
| Top Type | Open (no end cap) |
| Bottom Type | Open (no end cap) |
| Filtration Area | 81 sq ft |
| Primary Brand | Pleatco |
| Part Number | PA81 |
Fitment notes
3-inch top and bottom openings. Hayward SwimClear C3020, C3025, C3030.