Hayward W530 Leaf Canister Replacement Bag, Blue, AXW538

The Hayward AXW538 is the blue replacement bag for the W530 leaf canister. It is the genuine Hayward part and it is the permanent style bag, meant to be emptied and reused rather than discarded.

What the canister does

A leaf canister goes in the vacuum line ahead of the pump and catches leaves and larger debris before they reach the pump basket. On a pool with trees over it, that is the difference between emptying one canister and pulling apart the pump lid several times a day. The bag inside is what actually holds the debris.

When to replace the bag

Bags fail at the seams and tear on sticks and sharp debris. A canister with a holed bag still looks like it is working, but debris passes straight through and ends up where it always did. If leaves are turning up in the pump basket while the canister looks empty, check the bag for a tear before looking anywhere else.