PCC130 / C-7472 / FC-1978
130 sq ft replacement filter cartridge • 7″ OD × 32.0625″ long
The PCC130 is the taller sibling of the PCC105, used in Pentair's Clean & Clear Plus 520: four cartridges, 130 square feet each, 520 square feet total. It's the same 7-inch diameter as the 420's cartridge but noticeably longer, at about 32 inches, which is the whole difference between the two systems. Replace the full set of four together. Pentair part numbers include R173578, 178585, and 817-0143, and the cross-references are Unicel C-7472 and Filbur FC-1978. Because the 420 and 520 cartridges look alike apart from height, measure your old element end to end before you order a set. A too-short cartridge won't seal against the tank manifold.
Compare on Amazon
PCC130 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 | PCC130 | Primary |
| Unicel | C-7472 | Equivalent |
| Filbur | FC-1978 | Equivalent |
| OEM | Pentair R173578 | Original Equipment |
| OEM | Pentair 178585 | Original Equipment |
| OEM | Pentair 817-0143 | Original Equipment |
Always verify dimensions and end-cap type before purchasing a replacement.
Compatible Pool Filter Systems
| Brand | Model |
|---|---|
| Pentair | Clean & Clear Plus 520 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the dimensions of the PCC130?
The PCC130 is 7 inches in outer diameter, 32.0625 inches long, with an open top and an open bottom. Total filtration area is 130 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 PCC130?
PCC130 is the same physical cartridge as C-7472, FC-1978, plus OEM versions like Pentair R173578, Pentair 178585, Pentair 817-0143. Same dimensions (7" × 32.0625"), 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 Pentair R173578 the same filter as the PCC130?
Yes. Pentair R173578 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 Pentair R173578 (along with Pentair 178585, Pentair 817-0143) and PCC130, C-7472, FC-1978 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 PCC130?
At 130 sq ft the PCC130 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 PCC130?
The PCC130 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 PCC130?
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 | 32.0625″ |
| Top Type | Open (no end cap) |
| Bottom Type | Open (no end cap) |
| Filtration Area | 130 sq ft |
| Primary Brand | Pleatco |
| Part Number | PCC130 |
Fitment notes
3-inch top and bottom openings. Pentair Clean & Clear Plus 520 (4 cartridges, 520 sq ft total).