Pool Vacuum Filter Bags in Australia: A Micron Guide (and Which Bag Fits Your Cleaner)
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The filter bag is the part of a cordless pool vacuum that does the actual work — it's what separates a quick, clean pickup from a clogged, half-finished job. Choosing the right pool vacuum filter bag (and the right micron rating) makes a bigger difference to your results than almost any other accessory. This guide explains what micron ratings mean, which bag to choose for the debris you're dealing with, and whether these bags will fit a pool cleaner you already own.
It's also where the cleaner you run really matters. The Bottom Feeder is built to use this entire micron range — from 40 µm super-fine up to a 3 mm leaf bag — where most competing cordless vacuums ship with just one or two bag options. That flexibility is a big part of why it cleans more pools, more completely, in a single pass.
What does the micron rating mean?
A micron (µm) is one-thousandth of a millimetre. The micron rating of a pool vacuum bag tells you the size of particle it can trap: a lower number means a finer filter that catches smaller debris, while a higher number lets fine particles pass but flows faster and resists clogging on heavy loads.
The trade-off is simple. Fine bags (low micron) give you the cleanest water but fill and clog faster. Coarse bags (high micron, or a 3 mm mesh) move big debris quickly without clogging, but won't catch fine dust. Most pool techs carry more than one and switch based on the job in front of them — and The Bottom Feeder is designed to make swapping between them quick and easy.
Pool vacuum bag micron guide
Here's how the Crownz Pool Store range compares, from finest to coarsest, and what each one is best at — all from $44.95:
| Bag | Rating | Traps | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40 Micron Extra-Long Bag | 40 µm (super fine, 1 m long) | Dust, pollen, dead algae, the finest silt | Maximum-capacity fine cleans — crystal-clear polishing with fewer empties |
| 57 Micron Super-Fine Bag | 57 µm (super fine) | Dust, pollen, dead algae, fine silt | Crystal-clear polishing after a chemical clean or algae treatment |
| 80 Micron Fine Dust Bag | 80 µm (extra fine) | Fine dust, silt and sand | Everyday fine-particle cleaning without clogging as fast as 40–57µm |
| 100 Micron Medium-Fine Bag | 100 µm | Sand, grit and general silt | The do-everything middle ground for regular servicing |
| 140 Micron Medium Bag | 140 µm | Leaves, twigs, pebbles and medium debris | General-purpose daily cleaning and leafy pools |
| 180 Micron Coarse Leaf Bag | 180 µm (coarse) | Heavy leaf loads and twigs with maximum flow | Fast pickup on debris-heavy pools without clogging |
| Green 3 mm Heavy-Duty Leaf Bag | 3 mm mesh | Large leaves, gum nuts, twigs and storm debris | Autumn leaf fall and big clean-ups where flow matters most |
This is the full range The Bottom Feeder is designed to run — worth keeping in mind if your current cleaner only came with a single coarse bag, which is the usual reason fine silt and algae get left behind.
Which bag should I choose?
If you're not sure where to start, match the bag to what's actually in the pool:
- Green water, algae or fine dust after a treatment? Reach for the 40 µm, 57 µm or 80 µm for the finest capture.
- Sand, grit or general silt from a regular service? The 100 µm gives clean results with good flow.
- Leaves, twigs and heavy garden debris? Use the 140 µm for everyday leaf loads, the 180 µm for heavy loads at maximum flow, or the Green 3 mm bag for storm clean-ups and autumn leaf fall.
A practical setup for a working pool tech is to keep a fine bag (80µm), a mid bag (100µm) and a coarse leaf bag (140–180µm or 3 mm) on the truck, then swap to suit each pool — something the Bottom Feeder makes fast and fuss-free.
Can I use these bags with another pool vacuum?
This is one of the most common questions we get — and for a lot of cleaners the answer is yes. Our bags are the 13" spa-width drawcord size, which is what smaller-frame cordless pool vacuums use. As well as The Bottom Feeder, that covers the BWT PK Turbo (EV105TURBO — one of the most common cordless heads on Australian pools) and Kokido bag-style drawcord vacuums (the Vektro series). If you're searching for a PK Turbo replacement bag or a Kokido filter bag, this is the size you need — with far more micron choices than the one or two bags those units ship with. See the full detail on our PK Turbo replacement filter bags and Kokido replacement filter bags pages.
The BWT F1 Turbo is a closer call than it looks: BWT documents its bag attachment as a Click N' Lock system rather than a drawcord, so opening width alone doesn't settle compatibility — send us your model and we'll confirm before you order. And our bags won't fit the larger professional machines that take the wider 15" bag — Hammerhead, Riptide and Power Vac. If you're not certain which size you're on, measure the opening width of your existing bag before ordering: around 13" means ours will fit, closer to 15" means you need the wider size. Or just send us the make and model of your cleaner and we'll confirm fitment for you.
The upside of being on the 13" size: you get access to a full range of micron options that your original supplier may not stock. And if you find your current cleaner can't make the most of the fine bags — or you're tired of chasing parts and bags from overseas — The Bottom Feeder is the cleaner this range was built for, with every bag and spare part supplied and supported from Australia.
For the full model-by-model breakdown, see Will these pool vacuum bags fit my cleaner? You can browse the full lineup on the Debris Bags collection.
Tips to get the most out of your bags
- Rinse after every use — dried-in debris and sunscreen oils blind the filter weave and reduce suction over time.
- Don't overfill — a packed bag chokes flow; empty it before it's completely full for faster, cleaner runs.
- Match the bag to the job — running a 40µm bag through a leaf-covered pool just clogs it; start coarse, then polish fine if needed.
- Air-dry, don't bake — dry bags in the shade rather than direct sun to extend the fabric life.
Frequently asked questions
What micron bag is best for very fine dust and dead algae?
The 40 micron extra-long bag is the finest option — designed exactly for dust, pollen and dead algae after a chemical clean, with a 1 metre length for extra capacity. The 57 and 80 micron bags are close behind and clog less quickly for everyday fine work. The Bottom Feeder runs all of them as standard, so you can polish a pool crystal-clear that a single-bag cleaner would leave hazy.
Will these bags fit a pool cleaner that isn't The Bottom Feeder?
Often, yes. These are 13" spa-width drawcord bags, so they also fit the BWT PK Turbo and Kokido bag-style drawcord vacuums (Vektro series). The BWT F1 Turbo uses a Click N' Lock attachment rather than a drawcord, so send us your model and we'll confirm before you order. They don't fit larger professional machines that take the 15" bag — Hammerhead, Riptide or Power Vac. Measure your bag's opening width against ours, or send us your cleaner's make and model and we'll confirm.
How many bags should I keep on hand?
Most pool professionals keep at least three on the truck: a fine bag for dust and algae, a mid-range bag for silt and sand, and a coarse leaf bag for heavy debris, so they can switch to suit each pool.
Can I reuse the bags?
Yes — these are reusable. Rinse thoroughly after each use and air-dry in the shade. With regular care a bag lasts many cleans before the weave wears out.
Want the bigger picture on cordless cleaning? Read our Complete Guide to Cordless Pool Vacuums in Australia, or see the professional-grade cleaner built to run this entire bag range — the Bottom Feeder cordless pool vacuum, backed by full Australian warranty and Australian-based support.