Hey i guess a filter isnt a chemical, but nor is it a pump, wasnt sure where to post.
How is one sure if a filter needs replacement? I've been cleaning mine for years. It seems I have lost some circulation (sorry pump for any undue stress) but visually AOK after good cleanings.
Is the acid wash a silly idea vs replacement?
question two. traditional paper filters versus the new ones.
keep in mind for my 97 hotsprings sovereign, it'll cost 35 x 3 retail versus 60 x 3 dollars.
Also I have noticed the middle filter on my 97 prodigy, where the silver cartrdge can go, does much mor sucking/filtering. If the new fancy ones are indeed far superior and I am indeed a cheapskate, how 'bout just putting one fancy new one in the middle?
Thanks in advance.

I have filters that are about 6 years old.
I like to soak the filters in a degreasing filter cleaner when I drain & refill every 4 months. I don't like acid washing.
I will spray them out with my hose monthly and rotate them.
I prefer the regular filters to the Tri-X which I think are the ones you mention as New Filters.

The reason the one filter gets dirtier is that it is dedicated to the circulation pump which runs 24/7. This is the reason I rotate them when rinsing off. You could put a Tri-X in that spot but If you take care of the filters they should last many years and IMO it's not worth the extra expense.

Thanks, I too rinse and degrease, this last time I soaked in oxy clean ( because I had a can of it laying around that had hardened) which I gather is largely sodium per carbonate, sodium carbonate and some enzymes, I predict that 5 Star brand PBW which is what I use on beer lines and pint glasses,would be great its purportedly environmentally ok (no phosphates?) and really cuts grease and is totally non sudsing which is what beer likes, as do hot tubs. I may use this next time my filters get nasty.
Both spraying on of the hotsprings brand product and simple green and letting it sit then rinse I have found to be mediocre. Also both were pretty sudsy and tolk a long time to rinse completely----especially the simple green.
Pretty sure you have convinced me to save 100 for paper or 180 for 3 tri-x ceramic, and keep cleaning and degreasing. They seem to flow well after the deep clean. The rings in the middle that may be designed to keep the folds seperated are gone, but doesnt seem to make a big differnce.
I know what an unsalvageable filter looks and feels like, I had an old old tub, that when I pulled the filter was totally calcified, almost barnacled.

Maybe I'll get a fancy tri-x one for the middle, just for kicks and to experiment and to get that upgraded feeling.