PBF40 / FC-9900
30 sq ft replacement filter cartridge • 8″ OD × 6.25″ long
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PBF40 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 | PBF40 | Primary |
| Filbur | FC-9900 | Equivalent |
| OEM | Bullfrog 10-00282 | Original Equipment |
| OEM | Wellspring 1000282 | Original Equipment |
Always verify dimensions and end-cap type before purchasing a replacement.
Compatible Hot Tubs & Spas
The PBF40 (or any of its cross-references) fits these spa models. Cartridge sizing occasionally shifted between model years, so it's worth confirming against your owner's manual or the cartridge label.
| Brand | Model |
|---|---|
| Bullfrog | A-Series 2018+ |
| Bullfrog | R-Series 2018+ |
| Bullfrog | X-Series |
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the dimensions of the PBF40?
The PBF40 is 8 inches in outer diameter, 6.25 inches long, with a open top and open bottom. Total filtration area is 30 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 PBF40?
PBF40 is the same physical cartridge as FC-9900, plus OEM versions like Bullfrog 10-00282, Wellspring 1000282. Same dimensions (8" × 6.25"), 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.
How often should I replace the PBF40?
Mid-size spa cartridges like the PBF40 (30 sq ft) usually last 12 to 24 months. The actual lifespan comes down to use: a spa that gets daily soaks for a couple of people will burn through cartridges roughly twice as fast as one used a few times a month. Easiest rhythm: rinse it monthly, do a deep soak in cleaner at every water change (roughly every three to four months), and replace it when the pleats are torn, the seams are stained brown, or a soak no longer brings post-clean pressure back to baseline.
How do I clean the PBF40?
The PBF40 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 (or at every water change, whichever comes first), do a deep clean: overnight soak in a hot tub filter cleaner, then a thorough rinse. If your cartridge has a closed end cap, let it dry before reinstalling so you don't trap moisture inside the cartridge core.
Which hot tubs and spas use the PBF40?
The PBF40 is compatible with: Bullfrog A-Series 2018+, Bullfrog R-Series 2018+, Bullfrog X-Series. Confirm against your owner's manual or the label inside the filter compartment, since some brands changed cartridge sizing between model years.
Dimensions
Specifications
| Outer Diameter | 8″ |
|---|---|
| Length | 6.25″ |
| Top Type | Open (no end cap) |
| Bottom Type | Open (no end cap) |
| Filtration Area | 30 sq ft |
| Primary Brand | Pleatco |
| Part Number | PBF40 |