MLA45-85 LA Spas C45 Filter Cartridge - 40 sqft - 3.5" MPT - Spatex by Magnum
MLA45-85 LA Spas C45 Filter Cartridge - 40 sqft - 3.5" MPT - Spatex by Magnum is temporarily out of stock and will ship as soon as it's available.
Don't Guess - Ask Us!
Don't Guess - Ask Us!
Not sure if it’s the right part? Send us a message and a photo of what you’re replacing, or what you need, and we’ll help make sure you get the right part the first time.
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MLA45-85 LA Spas C45 Filter Cartridge - 40 sqft - 3.5" MPT - S...
MLA45-85 LA Spas C45 Filter Cartridge - 40 sqft - 3.5" MPT - Spatex by Magnum is temporarily out of stock and will ship as soon as it's available.
Spatex MLA45-85 LA Spas C45 Filter Cartridge - 40 sqft - 3.5" MPT
Spatex MLA45-85 replacement pleated filter cartridge for LA Spas, made in New Zealand by Magnum Filters. This 3.5 inch MPT cartridge is the pleated replacement for the LA Spas Aqua Klean sock and frame arrangement used from 2003 onward.
- Physically Stocked, unlike most "drop-shipping" websites.
- Shipped from VIC, NSW, WA, QLD
Spatex filter cartridges are manufactured by Magnum Filters in New Zealand. Magnum have been producing spa and pool filter cartridges since 1982 and supply OEM and co-branded cartridges to spa manufacturers and distributors worldwide. These are not low-grade generic filters - they use quality pleated filtration media for reliable water flow, solid dirt-holding capacity and consistent service life, and are used throughout the Australian spa industry alongside WWDG and SpaPro style filters.
Specifications
- Height: 178mm to 205mm, excluding spigot
- Diameter: 125mm to 133mm
- Spigot thread: 85mm OD with 74mm or 69mm ID
- Top: Closed flat top
- Bottom: Wide fine thread spigot
- Spatex part number: sx-la45-85
- Magnum part number: MLA45-85
- Country of manufacture: New Zealand
Also Known As
This cartridge is sold under a number of OEM, distributor and aftermarket part numbers, including: MLA45-85, LA45-85, C45, FBD229, FC-FBD229.
Commonly Suits
- LA Spas models using the Aqua Klean 45/85 filter arrangement
- LA Spas systems where you wish to replace the bag and basket with a pleated cartridge
Spa brand alone is not enough to identify a filter. Manufacturers frequently change filtration systems between models and production years, so always compare your existing cartridge before ordering.
Before You Order
To convert from the bag system - remove the Aqua Klean bag, unscrew the plastic basket, and fit this pleated cartridge in its place. There is no exact height or width on this filter family, so use the thread size as your primary check.
Measure the overall length, the outside diameter, the top style and the bottom connection and compare them against this listing. If you are unsure, send us a photo and the measurements of your old cartridge and we will confirm the correct replacement.
Filter Replacement Guide
Spa filters should generally be replaced every 1 to 2 years, depending on usage, water quality, chemical balance and cleaning routine. Rinsing the pleats regularly and soaking the cartridge in a dedicated filter cleaner will extend its working life between replacements.
To the layperson, plumbing sizes and their names can be confusing due to the nominal sizes and naming conventions used.
This is not something we made up. Plumbers and manufacturers have used nominal (meaning ‘by name only’) sizing for decades.
Simply put, in plumbing, named sizes are often not the actual measurements of the pipe, fitting, or part. A PVC pipe called “50mm” or “2"” does not measure 50 mm anywhere. Instead, it follows nominal sizing, an internationally-standardised naming system.
Almost all fittings we use in the pool & spa industry use “pressure PVC” pipe & fittings. Do not confuse with “DWV” or other pipe & fittings and their names and sizes.
Use the Outside Diameter (OD) to check your pipe against fittings. Below is a quick reference for common spa & pool pipe sizes:
| Imperial Name | Metric Name | Pipe Diameter (OD) |
|---|---|---|
| 1/2" | 15mm | ~21.2–21.5 mm |
| 3/4" | 20mm | ~26.6–26.9 mm |
| 1" | 25 mm | ~33.4–33.7 mm |
| 1.5" | 40 mm | ~48.1–48.4 mm |
| 2" | 50 mm | ~60.2–60.8 mm |
| 2.5" | 65 mm | ~75.2–75.5 mm |
To reiterate, these are nominal sizes and are designed to fit matching fittings — not to measure what their name suggests. These are based on PVC Pressure Pipe AS/NZ 1477 Dimensions1.
- º Internal diameters vary slightly by manufacturer and class.
- 1 Not all pool/spa fittings match these dimensions exactly. Some do not follow Australian or international standards. Chinese spas may use proprietary fittings.
Understanding Plumbing Sizes & Nominal Measurements
Plumbing sizes can be confusing. PVC and many other pipe systems use nominal sizes—the size is a name, not the exact measured dimension. This convention is used across most pool and spa systems and other plumbing areas so that pipes and fittings remain compatible.
Why pipe sizes don’t match the measurements
The Nominal Pipe Size (NPS) system standardises pipe dimensions so that pipes, fittings, valves, and accessories interoperate.
Plumbers work with these nominal names every day, but DIYers can be tripped up if they try to match by a tape-measure alone.
How to Measure Pipe Correctly
-
Pipe size is identified by:
- The pipe’s Outside Diameter (OD).
- The fitting’s Inside Diameter (ID) (socket opening).
- Pipe Class / Schedule (e.g., Class 9, 12, 18 or Sch 40) relates to wall thickness and therefore the Internal Diameter (ID) and pressure rating.
- The outside diameter of a fitting is not useful (wall thickness varies by manufacturer).
Hose & Tube Dimensions
Common flexible hose sizes used in pool/spa systems (approximate IDs).
| Imperial Name | Metric Name | Inside Diameter (ID) |
|---|---|---|
| 3/8" | 9–10 mm | ~9 mm |
| 3/4" | 19 mm | ~19 mm |
BSP – British Standard Pipe Thread Sizes
BSP thread names are also nominal. The thread OD will not equal the nominal name.
| BSP Thread Size Naming | Outside Diameter (mm / inch) | TPI |
|---|---|---|
| 1/16" BSP | 7.7 mm / 0.304" | 28 |
| 1/8" BSP | 9.7 mm / 0.383" | 28 |
| 1/4" BSP | 13.16 mm / 0.518" | 19 |
| 3/8" BSP | 16.66 mm / 0.656" | 19 |
| 1/2" BSP / 15 mm | 20.99 mm / 0.825" | 14 |
| 5/8" BSP | 22.99 mm / 0.902" | 14 |
| 3/4" BSP / 20 mm | 26.44 mm / 1.041" | 14 |
| 7/8" BSP | 30.20 mm / 1.189" | 14 |
| 1" BSP / 25 mm | 33.25 mm / 1.309" | 11 |
| 1-1/4" BSP | 41.91 mm / 1.650" | 11 |
| 1-1/2" BSP / 40 mm | 47.80 mm / 1.882" | 11 |
| 2" BSP / 50 mm | 59.61 mm / 2.347" | 11 |
| 2-1/4" BSP | 65.71 mm / 2.587" | 11 |
| 2-1/2" BSP | 75.18 mm / 2.960" | 11 |
| 3" BSP | 87.88 mm / 3.460" | 11 |
| 4" BSP | 113.03 mm / 4.450" | 11 |
| 5" BSP | 138.43 mm / 5.450" | 11 |
| 6" BSP | 163.83 mm / 6.450" | 11 |
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