PWW50P3 / 6CH-940 / FC-0359
50 sq ft replacement filter cartridge • 6″ OD × 7.625″ long
The PWW50P3 is the cartridge for Waterway's Front Access Skimmer housing, and the key detail is that these systems take two of them, not one. Replace them as a pair, or the fresh cartridge ends up carrying the load while the old one bypasses. Each is a 50-square-foot element with a handle on top and a 1-1/2-inch threaded base. It's a widely used filter that also turns up in some Vita Spa and Sunrise tubs. Waterway numbers include 817-0050, 03FIL1400, and 25252, Master Spas lists it as X268549, and the cross-references are Unicel 6CH-940 and Filbur FC-0359. Count your housings before you order so you buy the right quantity.
Compare on Amazon
PWW50P3 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 | PWW50P3 | Primary |
| Unicel | 6CH-940 | Equivalent |
| Filbur | FC-0359 | Equivalent |
| OEM | Waterway 817-0050 | Original Equipment |
| OEM | Waterway 03FIL1400 | Original Equipment |
| OEM | Waterway 25252 | Original Equipment |
| OEM | Waterway 378902 | Original Equipment |
| OEM | Master Spas X268549 | Original Equipment |
Always verify dimensions and end-cap type before purchasing a replacement.
Compatible Pool Filter Systems
| Brand | Model |
|---|---|
| Waterway | Front Access Skimmer |
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the dimensions of the PWW50P3?
The PWW50P3 is 6 inches in outer diameter, 7.625 inches long, with a handle 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 PWW50P3?
PWW50P3 is the same physical cartridge as 6CH-940, FC-0359, plus OEM versions like Waterway 817-0050, Waterway 03FIL1400, Waterway 25252, Waterway 378902, Master Spas X268549. Same dimensions (6" × 7.625"), same handle 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 Waterway 817-0050 the same filter as the PWW50P3?
Yes. Waterway 817-0050 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 Waterway 817-0050 (along with Waterway 03FIL1400, Waterway 25252, Waterway 378902, Master Spas X268549) and PWW50P3, 6CH-940, FC-0359 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 PWW50P3?
At 50 sq ft the PWW50P3 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 PWW50P3?
The PWW50P3 has a built-in handle on top, which means you can pull it without touching the media. 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 PWW50P3?
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 | 6″ |
|---|---|
| Length | 7.625″ |
| Top Type | Handle |
| Bottom Type | Open (no end cap) |
| Filtration Area | 50 sq ft |
| Primary Brand | Pleatco |
| Part Number | PWW50P3 |
Fitment notes
Handle top, 1.5-inch SAE threaded bottom. Waterway Front Access Skimmer (2 required). Also used in Vita Spa (top-load side), Sunrise Spas, various.