Description
The Blue Replacement Mineral Cartridge for FROG @ease In-Line Spas
The FROG @ease In-Line Mineral Cartridge is the blue replacement cartridge that snaps into the top "Minerals" slot of hot tubs with a built-in FROG @ease In-Line holder, including Marquis Crown, Caldera Vacanza, Hot Spring Hot Spot and Artesian Elite and Island models. Working with the silver SmartChlor cartridge, FROG minerals let your spa run on low, steady chlorine at 0.5–1.0 ppm.
One cartridge lasts 4 months or until your next drain and refill. Drop it in, leave it on #6, and mark the date for the next change.
Always used together: pair this blue mineral cartridge with the FROG @ease In-Line SmartChlor Cartridge 3 Pack, the silver chlorine cartridge that goes in the bottom slot. FROG @ease needs both cartridges to sanitize your water.
Four Months of FROG Minerals in One Blue Cartridge
Each replacement mineral cartridge works for 4 months, or until you drain and refill the spa, whichever comes first. That is about three mineral changes a year, timed to line up with your seasonal drain and refills.
Replace it on schedule even if some media appears to be left inside. The minerals are spent once the 4 months are up.
Minerals Do Part of the Work, So You Use Less Chlorine
FROG minerals share the sanitizing job with SmartChlor, which is why FROG @ease can hold free chlorine at just 0.5–1.0 ppm, up to 75% less than the 2.0 ppm ANSI minimum for hot tubs. The result is clear water that feels softer, with less chlorine smell.
The mineral cartridge is the half of the system that makes low chlorine possible. Without it, SmartChlor alone is not enough.
Snap In and Forget It: No Dial to Set
The blue mineral cartridge stays on setting #6 in every hot tub from 200 to 600 gallons, so there is nothing to measure or adjust. Turn off the jets, swap the cartridge into the top slot and lock the holder.
The genuine FROG cartridge is the one your In-Line holder was designed around.
Key Features and Benefits
- Blue FROG @ease Mineral CartridgeSnaps into the top "Minerals" slot of the In-Line holder.
- 4-Month Mineral LifeReplace every 4 months or at each drain and refill.
- No Dial AdjustmentStays on setting #6 in every hot tub size.
- Low-Chlorine PartnerLets SmartChlor hold free chlorine at 0.5–1.0 ppm, up to 75% less chlorine.
- Silver and Calcium Carbonate MediaEPA-registered mineral formula, EPA Reg. No. 53735-11.
- Softer-Feeling WaterFresh Mineral Water with less chlorine smell.
- Genuine FROGMade by King Technology, the maker of FROG.
Product Details
| Product Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Brand | FROG (King Technology, Inc.) |
| Product | FROG @ease In-Line Mineral Cartridge |
| Pack Size | 1 mineral cartridge |
| Estimated Supply | 4 months or until the next drain and refill |
| Cartridge Color | Blue |
| Mineral Cartridge Part Number | 01-14-3280 (single cartridge) |
| Store SKU | 01-14-3280 |
| UPC | 722906032816 |
| Fits | Hot tubs with a FROG @ease In-Line holder or FROG @ease Filter Basket System |
| Listed Spa Models | Artesian Elite, Island; Marquis Crown; Caldera Vacanza; Hot Spring Hot Spot (optional on select other models) |
| Hot Tub Size | Up to 600 gallons |
| Mineral Media | Calcium carbonate (over 98%) with silver chloride (under 1%) |
| EPA Registration | EPA Reg. No. 53735-11 |
| Dial Setting | Fixed at #6; no adjustment needed |
| Holder Position | Top slot marked "Minerals"; any opening in the Filter Basket System |
| Replacement Interval | Every 4 months or at each drain and refill, whichever comes first |
| Required Companion | FROG @ease In-Line SmartChlor Cartridge (silver), replaced about every 3–4 weeks |
| Recommended Shock | FROG Maintain non-chlorine shock |
| Not Compatible With | FROG @ease Floating System dispensers, dichlor shock, bromine water |
| Net Weight | Not specified in reviewed product details |
| Shipping Weight | 1 lb |
| Image Alt Text | Blue FROG @ease In-Line Mineral Cartridge replacement for hot tubs, front view |
How to Replace the FROG @ease Mineral Cartridge
- Balance the water first: Bring Total Alkalinity to 80–120 ppm, then pH to 7.2–7.6, and keep Total Hardness at 150–250 ppm.
- Turn the jets off: Never open the In-Line cap while the jets are running. Lift the cap, then push the holder down and turn it 1/8 turn counterclockwise to pull it out.
- Remove the old blue cartridge: Pull the spent mineral cartridge from the top slot and throw it in the trash, even if some media appears to be left. Do not reuse it.
- Unwrap the new mineral cartridge: Remove the shrink wrap. The blue mineral cartridge stays on setting #6 and needs no adjustment.
- Snap it into the top slot: Snap the blue cartridge into the top slot of the holder marked "Minerals." In the FROG @ease Filter Basket System, insert it into one of the openings.
- Check the SmartChlor cartridge: Make sure a silver SmartChlor cartridge with chlorine remaining is in the bottom slot, set for your hot tub size. The mineral cartridge cannot sanitize the water on its own.
- Lock the holder and replace the cap: Line up the holder arrow with the system arrow, push down past the tabs and turn clockwise until it stops. Tug up gently to confirm it is locked.
- Shock and mark the date: Add a dose of FROG Maintain non-chlorine shock, then write the date on your calendar or the cabinet door so you know when the next mineral change is due in 4 months.
FROG @ease In-Line Dial Setting Chart
| Hot Tub Size | SmartChlor In-Line | SmartChlor Filter Basket | Blue Mineral Cartridge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 200–250 gallons | 1 | 3 | 6 |
| 251–300 gallons | 2 | 4 | 6 |
| 301–450 gallons | 3 | 5 | 6 |
| 451–600 gallons | 4 | 6 | 6 |
The blue mineral cartridge always stays on #6. Only the silver SmartChlor cartridge is set by hot tub size.
FROG @ease Replacement Schedule
| Item | How Often | How You Know |
|---|---|---|
| Blue @ease Mineral Cartridge | Every 4 months or each drain and refill | Calendar date; replace even if media remains |
| Silver SmartChlor Cartridge | About every 3–4 weeks | Test strip top tab lighter than the Out Indicator |
| FROG Maintain Shock | Monthly or at each SmartChlor change | Calendar date or heavy use |
| Water Balance Check | Weekly | FROG @ease Test Strip readings |
Compatibility Notes
Before You Buy
- Made for hot tubs with the built-in FROG @ease In-Line cartridge holder (a cap on the spa's top rim) and for the FROG @ease Filter Basket System. FROG lists these models for the @ease In-Line system: Artesian Elite and Artesian Island (optional on Island Elite and South Seas), Marquis Crown (optional on Elite, Vector and Celebrity), Caldera Vacanza and Hot Spring Hot Spot. Hot Spring Freeflow Collection and Caldera Fantasy Series spas are also FROG cartridge ready.
- Not for FROG @ease Floating System dispensers, @ease+ floating systems or swim spa dispensers, which use different cartridges.
- Works as a pair with the silver FROG @ease In-Line SmartChlor Cartridge. The minerals alone will not keep the water sanitized.
- Do not use dichlor shock with FROG @ease. Use FROG Maintain non-chlorine shock.
- Switching from bromine? Drain and refill before starting FROG @ease. Switching from dichlor? You can convert without draining if cyanuric acid is below 80 ppm.
- Use FROG @ease Test Strips. Other strips misread the SmartChlor reserve as high total chlorine.
Which FROG Cartridge Do I Need?
| Cartridge | Where It Goes | What It Does |
|---|---|---|
| FROG @ease Mineral Cartridge (blue) | Top slot of the In-Line holder, marked "Minerals," or one opening of the Filter Basket System | Required minerals, replace every 4 months or at each drain and refill |
| In-Line SmartChlor Cartridge (silver) | Bottom slot, marked "Bromine or SmartChlor" | Chlorine sanitizer, replace about every 3–4 weeks |
| Floating SmartChlor Cartridge | FROG @ease Floating System dispenser | Different cartridge; does not fit the In-Line holder |
| FROG Serene Bromine Cartridge (green) | Same in-line holder style | Bromine system; do not mix with SmartChlor water |
Which Option Is Right for You?
| Option | Typical Supply | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Mineral Cartridge | About 4 months | Replacing the blue cartridge at its 4-month change |
| Mineral Cartridge 2 Pack | About 8 months | Keeping a spare on hand for the next drain and refill |
| Mineral + 4 SmartChlor Kit | About one 4-month cycle | Replacing both cartridges together with one order |
Why Choose the FROG @ease In-Line Mineral Cartridge
It is the genuine blue FROG replacement for your @ease In-Line holder: one cartridge, four months of minerals and no dial to set, so your low-chlorine FROG routine keeps running. Shop the full FROG @ease collection for SmartChlor cartridges and test strips, or compare options in Mineral Cartridges at HotTubPirate.com.
Ideal For
- Owners of Marquis, Caldera, Hot Spring and Artesian spas with FROG @ease In-Line holders
- Replacing the blue cartridge at its 4-month change or after a drain and refill
- Hot tubs up to 600 gallons
- Anyone who wants low chlorine with softer-feeling water
- Owners who prefer a simple calendar routine
Frequently Asked Questions
Which spas use this blue mineral cartridge?
Spas with a built-in FROG @ease In-Line holder, which shows up as a cap on the spa's top rim, and the FROG @ease Filter Basket System. FROG lists Artesian Elite and Island, Marquis Crown, Caldera Vacanza and Hot Spring Hot Spot, and Hot Spring Freeflow and Caldera Fantasy Series spas are FROG cartridge ready.
Do I need to adjust the mineral cartridge dial?
No adjustment is needed. The blue mineral cartridge stays on #6 in every hot tub size. Only the silver SmartChlor cartridge is set by spa size: 1–4 in the In-Line holder or 3–6 in the Filter Basket System for 200 to 600 gallons.
Can I use the mineral cartridge without SmartChlor?
No. FROG @ease is designed as a pair. The minerals let SmartChlor run at a low 0.5–1.0 ppm free chlorine, but without a silver SmartChlor cartridge in the bottom slot the water will not stay sanitized.
What shock should I use with FROG @ease?
FROG Maintain, a non-chlorine shock made for FROG @ease. Add one packet monthly or with each new SmartChlor cartridge, and more often after heavy use. Skip dichlor shock, which leaves cyanuric acid behind.
Is this the replacement mineral cartridge for FROG @ease In-Line?
Yes. This is the blue FROG @ease In-Line Mineral Cartridge, part number 01-14-3280, that goes in the top "Minerals" slot of the built-in In-Line holder and in the FROG @ease Filter Basket System.
What products are not compatible with FROG minerals?
FROG lists ionizers, because they duplicate the minerals, and biguanide sanitizers such as Baquacil, which are not compatible with chlorine. Do not use dichlor shock with FROG @ease either, since its cyanuric acid weakens SmartChlor.
How many mineral cartridges do I need per year?
About three, since each one lasts 4 months. If you drain and refill more often than every 4 months, replace the mineral cartridge at each refill.
What size hot tub does one mineral cartridge treat?
One cartridge treats hot tubs up to 600 gallons, and it stays on setting #6 regardless of size.
Should I replace SmartChlor when I replace the mineral cartridge?
Not necessarily. SmartChlor runs on its own schedule of about 3–4 weeks per cartridge, so replace it when the test strip shows it is out. Many owners use about four SmartChlor cartridges per mineral cartridge.
How often do I replace the FROG @ease mineral cartridge?
Every 4 months, or whenever you drain and refill the hot tub, whichever comes first.
Why does my mineral cartridge still feel full after 4 months?
That is normal. FROG explains that one of the minerals inside does not fully dissolve, but the mineral that fights bacteria only lasts 4 months. Replace the cartridge on schedule even if it still feels full or rattles, and do not try to reuse it.
Which slot does the blue cartridge go in?
The top slot, marked "Minerals." The silver SmartChlor cartridge goes in the bottom slot marked "Bromine or SmartChlor." In the FROG @ease Filter Basket System, the mineral cartridge goes into one of the openings.
Is this the same as the floating FROG mineral cartridge?
No. The In-Line mineral cartridge snaps into a built-in holder or filter basket. FROG @ease Floating System and @ease+ dispensers use different cartridges and are not interchangeable with this one.
What minerals are in FROG and how do they work?
Silver and limestone. FROG explains that the silver destroys bacteria and the limestone absorbs acids to help hold a neutral pH. The Safety Data Sheet lists the media as more than 98% calcium carbonate with less than 1% silver chloride.
How should I throw away a used mineral cartridge?
Put it in the trash and do not refill or reuse it. Do not empty it into drains or waterways, because the minerals are toxic to aquatic life.
Safety Notes
Handle With Care
- Turn the jets off before opening the In-Line cap. Water can be forced out under pressure.
- The mineral media is mostly calcium carbonate with a small amount of silver chloride. It is not classified as hazardous under OSHA, but it may be slightly irritating to eyes. If it gets in your eyes, rinse with water.
- The minerals are very toxic to aquatic life. Do not empty the cartridge into drains, storm drains, ponds or other waterways.
- Throw spent mineral cartridges in the trash and do not refill or reuse them. Store new cartridges in their original packaging, away from other chemicals and out of reach of children and pets.
- Read the full label and the Safety Data Sheet below before use.
Product Documents
Download the official FROG @ease In-Line instructions and the Mineral Cartridge Safety Data Sheet for setup, replacement timing and safe handling.