PVT50W / C-8350 / FC-3053
50 sq ft replacement filter cartridge • 8.5″ OD × 7.25″ long
Vita Spa's top-load tubs, including the L200 and Avatar, use this squat 50-square-foot cartridge. It's 8-1/2 inches across but only about 7-1/4 inches tall, with open ends. It drops in from the top, which is the point of Vita's top-load filter design: no reaching down into a skimmer housing. Vita sells it under various in-house numbers, and it crosses to Unicel C-8350 and Filbur FC-3053. Vita has generally spec'd cartridges that map cleanly to the standard Pleatco, Unicel, and Filbur ecosystem, so once you've matched the diameter and length, shopping on price is straightforward.
Compare on Amazon
PVT50W 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 | PVT50W | Primary |
| Unicel | C-8350 | Equivalent |
| Filbur | FC-3053 | Equivalent |
| OEM | Vita Spa various | Original Equipment |
Always verify dimensions and end-cap type before purchasing a replacement.
Compatible Hot Tubs & Spas
The PVT50W (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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the dimensions of the PVT50W?
The PVT50W is 8.5 inches in outer diameter, 7.25 inches long, with an open top and an open bottom. Total filtration area is 50 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 PVT50W?
PVT50W is the same physical cartridge as C-8350, FC-3053, plus OEM versions like Vita Spa various. Same dimensions (8.5" × 7.25"), 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 PVT50W?
Mid-size spa cartridges like the PVT50W (50 sq ft) usually last 12 to 24 months. It shows up most often in Vita Spa tubs. The real driver is use: a tub that gets daily soaks for a couple of people burns through cartridges about twice as fast as one used a few times a month. A good rhythm is a monthly hose rinse, a deep soak in cleaner at every water change (every three to four months), and replacement once the pleats tear, the seams stain brown, or a soak no longer brings post-clean pressure back to baseline.
How do I clean the PVT50W?
The PVT50W 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 PVT50W?
The PVT50W is compatible with: Vita Spa L200, Vita Spa Avatar. 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 | 8.5″ |
|---|---|
| Length | 7.25″ |
| Top Type | Open (no end cap) |
| Bottom Type | Open (no end cap) |
| Filtration Area | 50 sq ft |
| Primary Brand | Pleatco |
| Part Number | PVT50W |
Fitment notes
Vita Spa top-load filter.