2-Stage Whole House Sediment and Carbon Filter System 20 inch Big Blue

2-Stage Whole House Sediment and Carbon Filter, 20" Big Blue

This two-stage 20" Big Blue system filters all the water coming into your home. The first stage is a clear housing with a 50/5 micron sediment cartridge, so you can see the dirt it catches and know when it's time for a change. The second stage is a blue housing with a refillable cartridge of coconut shell activated carbon that reduces chlorine taste and odor.

What It Reduces

• Sand, silt, rust and other particles down to 5 micron (stage 1)
• Chlorine taste and odor (stage 2)
• Many organic tastes and odors (stage 2)

What it does not remove: PFAS, lead, bacteria, hardness, fluoride, nitrate or heavy iron. It is not certified for chloramine. For PFAS, see our Sediment and PFAS Carbon Block Big Blue 20" Filter System (MS013960).

How It Works

1. Stage 1, sediment (clear housing, 50/5 micron): catches sand, rust and silt so the carbon lasts longer. The clear bowl shows you when the cartridge is dirty.
2. Stage 2, carbon (blue housing, refillable): about 5 lb of coconut shell granular carbon reduces chlorine taste and odor. Refill it with loose carbon instead of buying a whole new cartridge.

What's Included

• Clear 4.5" x 20" filter housing (first stage) and blue 4.5" x 20" filter housing (second stage), 1" NPT brass threads, pressure-relief buttons
• 2-stage wall mounting bracket with screws
• 1" x 2" stainless steel pipe nipple to join the two housings
• 1 CWS dual grade 50/5 micron sediment cartridge 4.5" x 20" (F1012400)
• 1 refillable activated carbon cartridge 4.5" x 20", pre-filled with coconut shell carbon (F1012520)
• 2 housing wrenches (one comes with each housing) and Teflon tape

Specifications

Flow rate	8 GPM recommended, 10 GPM peak (set by the carbon stage)
Connections	1" NPT female, brass thread, inlet and outlet
Cartridge size	4.5" x 20" (Big Blue), both stages
Stage 1	Dual grade 50/5 micron sediment, clear housing
Stage 2	Refillable coconut shell activated carbon, about 5 lb, blue housing
Pressure	25-90 psi (the clear housing sets the limit)
Temperature	41-100°F, cold water only
Best for	City (chlorinated) water, homes with 1 to 2 bathrooms
Mounting	Wall, 2-stage bracket; housings joined by a 1" stainless nipple

How Long Do the Cartridges Last?

Replace or refill the carbon about every 6 months, or sooner if you start to taste or smell chlorine again. Change the sediment cartridge about every 3 to 6 months, depending on your water. The clear bowl shows you when it's dirty, and a drop in water pressure is another sign.

Replacement cartridges: CWS dual grade 50/5 micron sediment cartridge 4.5" x 20" (F1012400); refillable activated carbon cartridge 4.5" x 20" (F1012520); activated carbon refill 0.5 cu ft (M1001470, about 3 refills). For finer sediment filtration use the 25/1 micron cartridge (F1012420).

Which Big Blue System Is Right for You?

Choose this 2-Stage Sediment and Carbon system if you're on city water and want clean, clear water without the chlorine taste and smell. The clear first stage shows you when the sediment cartridge needs changing, and the carbon is refillable, so upkeep stays cheap. If PFAS ("forever chemicals") is also a concern, step up to our Sediment and PFAS Carbon Block system (MS013960): its carbon block is certified to NSF/ANSI 53 for PFOA and PFOS, though it runs at a lower flow (about 4 GPM) and its cartridge costs more to replace. If you only need to stop sand, silt and rust, a single 20" sediment filter is enough: 5 micron (MS003110) or 1 micron (MS000050). If you only want better-tasting water and already have clean water, the single refillable carbon filter (MS013740) works, but without a sediment stage the carbon clogs sooner.

Installation

Install on the main water line where it enters the home, after the main shutoff and before the water heater and any water softener. Keep the clear housing out of direct sunlight and away from freezing. Add shutoff valves and a bypass so you can change cartridges without shutting off the whole house. If your water pressure is over 80 psi, install a pressure regulator first.

Questions? Call our water experts at 888-600-5426.