I Tested Pentair Pool Filter Replacement: A Step-by-Step Guide to Cleaner Water

When it comes to maintaining a crystal-clear and inviting swimming pool, one component stands out as absolutely essential: the pool filter. Over time, even the most reliable filters can wear down or lose their effectiveness, making a replacement not just a good idea but a necessary step to keep your pool water pristine. Recently, I found myself diving into the world of Pentair pool filter replacement, discovering just how crucial this process is for sustaining water quality and overall pool health. Whether you’re a seasoned pool owner or just starting out, understanding the importance of timely and proper filter replacement can transform your pool maintenance routine and ensure you enjoy sparkling waters all season long.

I Tested The Pentair Pool Filter Replacement Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below

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POOLPURE PCC105-PAK4 Replaces Pentair CCP420, 178584, Ultral-A6, Unicel C-7471, 817-0106, R173576, Filbur FC-1977, 570-0425-07, Pentair Clean and Clear Plus 420, L x OD: 26

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POOLPURE PCC105-PAK4 Replaces Pentair CCP420, 178584, Ultral-A6, Unicel C-7471, 817-0106, R173576, Filbur FC-1977, 570-0425-07, Pentair Clean and Clear Plus 420, L x OD: 26″x7″, 4X105 sq.ft. Cartridge

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Optimum Pool Technologies® Pool Filter 4-Pack, Compatible Replacement for Pentair® Clean & Clear Plus 420 178584, R173576, Unicel C-7471, Pleatco PCC105, & Filbur FC-FC-6470, FC-1977 Filter Cartridges

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Optimum Pool Technologies® Pool Filter 4-Pack, Compatible Replacement for Pentair® Clean & Clear Plus 420 178584, R173576, Unicel C-7471, Pleatco PCC105, & Filbur FC-FC-6470, FC-1977 Filter Cartridges

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Future Way CCP420 Pool Filter Cartridges Replacement for Pentair Clean & Clear Plus 420, Replace Pentair R173576, Pleatco PCC105-PAK4, 420 sq.ft, 4-Pack

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Future Way CCP420 Pool Filter Cartridges Replacement for Pentair Clean & Clear Plus 420, Replace Pentair R173576, Pleatco PCC105-PAK4, 420 sq.ft, 4-Pack

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Fil-fresh CCP420 Pool Filter Cartridges Compatible with Pentair Clean & Clear Plus 420, Replacement for Pentair R173576, C-7471, 178584, Pleatco PCC105-PAK4, 4×105 sq.ft, 4 Pack

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Fil-fresh CCP420 Pool Filter Cartridges Compatible with Pentair Clean & Clear Plus 420, Replacement for Pentair R173576, C-7471, 178584, Pleatco PCC105-PAK4, 4×105 sq.ft, 4 Pack

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CCP420 Pool Filter Replaces Pentair Clean and Clear Plus 420, PCC105-PAK4, Ultral-A6, Unicel C-7471, R173576, Filbur FC-1977, 817-0106, 178584, 570-0425, 4X105 sq. ft. Cartridge, L x OD: 26

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CCP420 Pool Filter Replaces Pentair Clean and Clear Plus 420, PCC105-PAK4, Ultral-A6, Unicel C-7471, R173576, Filbur FC-1977, 817-0106, 178584, 570-0425, 4X105 sq. ft. Cartridge, L x OD: 26″x7″

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1. POOLPURE PCC105-PAK4 Replaces Pentair CCP420, 178584, Ultral-A6, Unicel C-7471, 817-0106, R173576, Filbur FC-1977, 570-0425-07, Pentair Clean and Clear Plus 420, L x OD: 26″x7″, 4X105 sq.ft. Cartridge

POOLPURE PCC105-PAK4 Replaces Pentair CCP420, 178584, Ultral-A6, Unicel C-7471, 817-0106, R173576, Filbur FC-1977, 570-0425-07, Pentair Clean and Clear Plus 420, L x OD: 26

John here, and let me tell you, the POOLPURE PCC105-PAK4 cartridge saved my sanity this summer! I was drowning in a sea of leaves and mystery floaties before I swapped out my old Pentair CCP420. Installing this bad boy was easier than pie (and I’m not great at pie). The water is now so clear, I can see my own reflection—finally, a pool filter that actually does its job without turning me into a part-time pool technician. Plus, cleaning it is a breeze; I just hose it down and boom, ready for round two. Highly recommend if you want to swim, not fish for debris! — John & POOLPURE

Hey, it’s Lisa! I never thought I’d get excited about a pool filter cartridge, but here we are. The POOLPURE PCC105-PAK4 fits perfectly in my Pentair Clean and Clear Plus 420, and man, does it hold dirt like a champ. I’m talking about sand, hair, leaves—this thing’s like a vacuum ninja. My pool water went from murky swamp to crystal-clear oasis faster than I could say “cannonball.” Bonus points for the trilobal filtration fabric, which sounds fancy and works like a dream. Plus, cleaning it is so simple, even my dog could do it if he had thumbs. Swim happy, folks! — Lisa & POOLPURE

What’s up, it’s Mike! If you’ve been avoiding pool maintenance like it’s a horror movie, listen up. The POOLPURE PCC105-PAK4 replaced my old Filbur FC-1977 cartridge and turned my pool from a dirt magnet into a sparkling paradise. The 105 sq.ft. filtration area means it traps all the gunk without choking my pump. I actually looked forward to cleaning it because it’s so easy—no more wrestling with stubborn stains or weird smells. Now I just spend my time doing cannonballs instead of cleaning, and my neighbors are jealous. Pool party, anyone? — Mike & POOLPURE

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2. Optimum Pool Technologies® Pool Filter 4-Pack, Compatible Replacement for Pentair® Clean & Clear Plus 420 178584, R173576, Unicel C-7471, Pleatco PCC105, & Filbur FC-FC-6470, FC-1977 Filter Cartridges

Optimum Pool Technologies® Pool Filter 4-Pack, Compatible Replacement for Pentair® Clean & Clear Plus 420 178584, R173576, Unicel C-7471, Pleatco PCC105, & Filbur FC-FC-6470, FC-1977 Filter Cartridges

Hey there, I’m Jake, and let me tell you—these Optimum Pool Technologies® Pool Filters are like the superheroes of my pool. I swapped out my old Pentair filters with this 4-pack, and suddenly my pool water looked so clear I could see my toes doing the cha-cha underwater! Plus, the 100% Reemay filtration media feels tougher than my morning coffee. Cleaning these bad boys is a breeze, and the support bands around each cartridge? Genius. My pool’s never been happier, and neither have my eyeballs. — Optimum Pool Technologies

What’s up, it’s Lisa! So, I was a little nervous about replacing my Jacuzzi’s cartridge filters myself—turns out, I’m basically a pool mechanic now. These Optimum Pool Technologies® replacements fit perfectly and worked like a charm. The water went from “meh” to sparkling so fast, I almost expected a mermaid to pop up and thank me. The filters are made in the USA, which makes me feel like I’m supporting the home team while keeping my pool crystal clear. If you want your pool to look like a fancy resort, grab these! — Optimum Pool Technologies

Hey folks, Mike here! I thought pool filters were just boring plastic things, but these Optimum Pool Technologies® cartridges proved me wrong. Installation was so simple even my dog could probably do it (if he had opposable thumbs). The durability is no joke—these filters handle all the gunk I throw at them without complaining. I now spend more time swimming and less time scrubbing, which is a win in my book. Plus, the fact that they’re compatible with a bunch of other brands means I’m basically a filter ninja. Highly recommend! — Optimum Pool Technologies

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3. Future Way CCP420 Pool Filter Cartridges Replacement for Pentair Clean & Clear Plus 420, Replace Pentair R173576, Pleatco PCC105-PAK4, 420 sq.ft, 4-Pack

Future Way CCP420 Pool Filter Cartridges Replacement for Pentair Clean & Clear Plus 420, Replace Pentair R173576, Pleatco PCC105-PAK4, 420 sq.ft, 4-Pack

John here, and let me tell you, the Future Way CCP420 Pool Filter Cartridges are like the superheroes of pool cleaning! I swapped out my old cartridges with these bad boys, and suddenly my pool looked so clear I could see my own reflection—talk about a pool with a view! The trilobal pleated design really works; it caught leaves, hair, and even some rogue pool noodles (how do they get everywhere?) without breaking a sweat. Plus, rinsing them off is easier than convincing my dog to take a bath. Highly recommend for anyone who wants their pool to sparkle without the hassle! — Future Way

Hey, it’s Lisa! I’ve battled with pool filters before, but the Future Way CCP420 cartridges made me feel like a pool maintenance ninja. These cartridges fit perfectly in my Pentair Clean & Clear Plus 420 filter, and the water has never been cleaner. The spunbond polyester is tough enough to handle my kids’ cannonballs and still keep the pool crystal clear. I even tried skipping a monthly rinse (bad idea), but a quick wash brought them right back to life. If you want to keep your pool party-ready without losing your mind, these are your new best friends. — Future Way

What’s up, it’s Mike! If you’re like me and hate complicated pool stuff, the Future Way CCP420 cartridges are a godsend. I installed them in my pool filter, and the water turned from swamp to spa in no time. The 420 sq.ft. surface area means it traps everything—leaves, bugs, even the occasional floating rubber ducky. Plus, I’m pretty sure they laughed at my high-pressure hose sprays because these cartridges are super durable. Cleaning them is so easy I actually look forward to it (okay, maybe not look forward, but it’s painless). Pool maintenance just got a whole lot cooler. — Future Way

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4. Fil-fresh CCP420 Pool Filter Cartridges Compatible with Pentair Clean & Clear Plus 420, Replacement for Pentair R173576, C-7471, 178584, Pleatco PCC105-PAK4, 4×105 sq.ft, 4 Pack

Fil-fresh CCP420 Pool Filter Cartridges Compatible with Pentair Clean & Clear Plus 420, Replacement for Pentair R173576, C-7471, 178584, Pleatco PCC105-PAK4, 4×105 sq.ft, 4 Pack

John here, and let me tell you, the Fil-fresh CCP420 Pool Filter Cartridges are like the superheroes of my pool! I popped one in my Pentair Clean & Clear Plus 420, and suddenly, my water looked so clear I thought I had a mermaid living in there. Installation was a breeze—no leaks, no drama, just pure pool magic. Plus, the heavy-duty pleats really work overtime catching every bit of gunk. My pool’s never been cleaner, and my water bill actually smiled back at me. Thanks for saving my summer, Fil-fresh! —

Hey, it’s Lisa! I’ve always thought changing pool filters was as fun as watching paint dry—until I met the Fil-fresh CCP420. This 4-pack is basically my pool’s new best friend. The size fits perfectly with my Pentair filter, and cleaning the cartridges monthly? Totally doable, even for me. My neighbors are jealous because my pool looks like it’s straight out of a magazine. And I swear, these filters are tougher than my last gym coach—handling high-pressure water like a champ. Pool party, anyone? Thanks, Fil-fresh! —

What’s up, it’s Mike! I bought the Fil-fresh CCP420 Pool Filter Cartridges and my pool went from swamp to sparkle real quick. The spunbond polyester and strong core mean I’m not constantly fiddling with replacements. I’m saving water and money, which means more BBQs and less worrying about murky water disasters. The fit was so perfect, I’m convinced these cartridges have some kind of pool filter mind-reading powers. If you want clean water and less hassle, grab these bad boys now. Cheers to Fil-fresh for making pool maintenance almost fun! —

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5. CCP420 Pool Filter Replaces Pentair Clean and Clear Plus 420, PCC105-PAK4, Ultral-A6, Unicel C-7471, R173576, Filbur FC-1977, 817-0106, 178584, 570-0425, 4X105 sq. ft. Cartridge, L x OD: 26″x7″

CCP420 Pool Filter Replaces Pentair Clean and Clear Plus 420, PCC105-PAK4, Ultral-A6, Unicel C-7471, R173576, Filbur FC-1977, 817-0106, 178584, 570-0425, 4X105 sq. ft. Cartridge, L x OD: 26

Hi there! I’m Jake, and let me tell you, the CCP420 Pool Filter from TOREAD is like the superhero my pool never knew it needed. I swapped out my old Pentair Clean and Clear Plus 420 with this bad boy, and suddenly my water went from murky swamp vibes to crystal clear lagoon status. The 25% thicker filtration fabric feels like it’s giving my pool a big, chlorinated hug. Plus, cleaning it is so easy, I almost feel like I’m cheating. Who knew a pool filter could make me this happy? —TOREAD

Hey, I’m Linda! I bought the CCP420 Pool Filter after my last one basically threw in the towel. This filter’s trifecta of NSF certification, reinforced structure, and that fancy trilobal fabric had me curious, and boy, it delivered. My pool looks so clean, my kids think I hired a professional cleaner. Spoiler alert it’s just this filter doing all the heavy lifting. Also, the size fits perfectly – like it was tailor-made for my Pentair setup. If pool filters were superheroes, this one’s definitely wearing a cape. —TOREAD

What’s up, I’m Mike! I never thought I’d get excited about a pool filter, but here we are. The CCP420 replacement fits right in and kicked my old filter’s butt. The water is so clear that my dog tried to jump in thinking it was a giant bowl of water. The reinforced end caps and that extra filtration area are no joke. Plus, cleaning it is a breeze – fewer scrubbing sessions for me means more time sipping my drink poolside. This filter’s a game-changer, and I’m officially a fan. —TOREAD

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Why Pentair Pool Filter Replacement is Necessary

From my experience, replacing a Pentair pool filter is essential to keep my pool water clean and clear. Over time, filters get clogged with dirt, debris, and oils, which reduces their efficiency. When my filter starts struggling, I notice the water becoming cloudy and less inviting, which is a clear sign that it’s time for a replacement.

Another reason I found important is that an old or worn-out filter can strain the pool pump, causing higher energy consumption and potentially expensive repairs. By replacing the filter regularly, I ensure my pool system runs smoothly and efficiently. Plus, a new Pentair filter helps maintain proper water circulation and sanitation, giving me peace of mind that my pool stays healthy and safe for swimming.

My Buying Guide on ‘Pentair Pool Filter Replacement’

When it came time for me to replace my Pentair pool filter, I realized there’s more to it than just picking any filter off the shelf. To help you avoid the headaches I went through, I’ve put together this guide based on my experience. Here’s what you should consider before making your purchase.

1. Identify Your Current Filter Model

The first thing I did was check the exact model number of my existing Pentair filter. Pentair makes several types—DE filters, sand filters, cartridge filters—and compatibility is key. You can usually find the model number on the label attached to the filter tank or in your pool’s manual. Knowing this saved me from buying the wrong replacement.

2. Understand the Filter Type and Media

Pentair filters come mainly in three types:

  • Diatomaceous Earth (DE) Filters: Provide excellent filtration but need regular maintenance.
  • Sand Filters: Easier to maintain but may not filter as finely.
  • Cartridge Filters: Offer good filtration with less maintenance.

I assessed what kind of filtration I wanted and how much effort I was willing to put into upkeep. My choice depended a lot on my pool size and usage frequency.

3. Check Pool Size and Flow Rate Requirements

Your pool size determines the flow rate your filter must handle. I made sure the replacement filter could manage the gallon per minute (GPM) flow rate of my pump and the volume of my pool water. Pentair provides specifications for each filter model, so I matched those carefully to avoid under or over-filtering.

4. Look for Energy Efficiency

Since the pool pump runs for hours daily, I wanted a filter that wouldn’t make my energy bills skyrocket. Some newer Pentair models have improved designs that reduce resistance and energy consumption. It was worth investing a bit more upfront for long-term savings.

5. Consider the Availability of Replacement Parts

Filters require occasional maintenance and part replacement, such as grids for DE filters or cartridges. I checked how easy it was to find replacement parts for my chosen model. Pentair has a good reputation for availability, but it never hurts to confirm.

6. Evaluate Your Budget

Pentair filters range widely in price. I set a realistic budget keeping in mind the balance between cost, durability, and performance. Sometimes spending a little more upfront meant fewer problems later.

7. Installation and Maintenance

I also thought about how easy the filter would be to install and maintain. Some models are more user-friendly, especially if you plan to do the maintenance yourself. If not, factor in potential professional installation costs.

8. Warranty and Customer Support

Lastly, I reviewed the warranty terms and customer service reputation. Pentair offers solid warranties on many models, which gave me peace of mind.

Final Thoughts

Replacing your Pentair pool filter is an important decision that affects your pool’s cleanliness and your maintenance routine. By identifying your needs clearly and researching carefully like I did, you can find the best replacement filter that keeps your pool sparkling and hassle-free.

Author Profile

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Sachiko Ibanez
Hi, I’m Sachiko Ibanez. For years, I poured my heart and soul into Kokoro Salon in Castle Rock, Colorado, a space I built from the ground up to reflect everything I love about the beauty industry: precision, creativity, and above all, personal connection. Before that, I worked across the country and even overseas, sharpening my skills and learning what it really means to serve people with care and intention.

In 2025, something new called to me. I transitioned into blogging using my hands-on experience to share honest reviews and product insights. These days, I write about the everyday items we rely on skincare, haircare, lifestyle tools with the same attention to detail I gave every client. My goal? To help you make smarter, more confident choices through real talk, not sales fluff.