Hayward SwimClear C5020 Replacement Filter
cartridge filter system · 4 cartridges
4 x 131 sq ft = 524 sq ft total. PA131 / C-7494 / FC-1227. OEM CX1280XRE.
131 sq ft · 7″ OD × 32.75″ long
Heads up: the Hayward SwimClear C5020 runs 4 cartridges. Replace them as a set so the new ones aren't carrying load for an old one.
| Pleatco | PA131 |
| Unicel | C-7494 |
| Filbur | FC-1227 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What filter cartridge does the Hayward SwimClear C5020 use?
The Hayward SwimClear C5020, a cartridge filter system, uses the PA131 (also sold as C-7494, all the same physical cartridge). It takes 4 of them. Confirm the quantity in your owner's manual or by counting the cartridges in the housing when you open it up. Some Hayward models in the same series use a different number of cartridges than others.
How often should I replace the cartridge in my Hayward SwimClear C5020?
At 131 sq ft the cartridge in a Hayward SwimClear C5020 has a good amount of media to work with, so 18 months to two years is a fair expectation with balanced water. Go by pressure, not the calendar: when the gauge sits 8 to 10 psi over the clean starting point and a soak won't drop it, put in a fresh cartridge.
How do I clean the filter cartridge in a Hayward SwimClear C5020?
Turn the pump off and bleed the pressure from the filter tank (open the air relief valve at the top). Then open the housing and pull the cartridges. The Hayward SwimClear C5020 runs 4 cartridges; if any one of them is dirty, the others are too, so pull all of them. Hose them down at a 45-degree angle between the pleats, working top to bottom. For a deeper clean every few months, soak in a pool filter cleaner solution per the product's dwell instructions, then rinse before reinstalling. Don't use a pressure washer. The high pressure tears pleats permanently.