2-stage 20" x 4.5" Big Blue Filtration System with Clear Housings
2-Stage 20" x 4.5" Big Blue Whole House Water Filtration System with 1" NPT Ports
Improve the water quality throughout your home, cottage, office, or light-commercial property with the Max Water 2-Stage Big Blue Whole House Water Filtration System.
This practical two-stage system combines sediment filtration and coconut-shell carbon block filtration to help reduce dirt, rust, suspended particles, chlorine, unpleasant taste, and odor before the water reaches your faucets, showers, fixtures, and appliances.
The system uses full-size 20" x 4.5" Big Blue cartridges for greater dirt-holding capacity, longer service intervals, and higher flow potential than standard slim-line filter systems. Its 1" female NPT inlet and outlet ports make it suitable for many residential and light-commercial plumbing installations.
Two Stages of Whole House Filtration
- 5-Micron Polypropylene Sediment Filter
Part No. 104112 . Captures sand, rust, dirt, silt, and other suspended particles while helping protect the carbon block cartridge from premature clogging. - 5-Micron Coconut-Shell Carbon Block Filter
Part No. 104114 . Reduces chlorine, unpleasant taste, odor, and selected organic compounds while providing final filtration and water polishing.
Simple Two-Stage Filtration for Common Water Concerns
This system is designed for properties that need straightforward sediment and carbon filtration without additional specialty media. The first cartridge helps remove visible particles, while the second cartridge improves taste and odor by reducing chlorine and selected organic compounds.
With only two cartridges to maintain, this configuration is a practical option for customers who want dependable whole-house filtration with fewer replacement filters than a three-stage system.
Dual Pressure Gauges
Two vertical liquid-filled pressure gauges help monitor incoming water pressure and pressure after filtration. Comparing the readings can help identify increasing pressure loss across the filter cartridges.
A growing difference between the inlet and outlet gauge readings may indicate that the sediment or carbon block cartridge is becoming clogged and requires inspection or replacement.
Carbon media exhaustion may not always create a noticeable pressure change. Replace the carbon block filter when chlorine, unpleasant taste, or odor begins to return, or when the recommended service interval is reached.
Key Features and Benefits
- Whole-house filtration: Treats incoming water before it reaches faucets, showers, fixtures, and appliances.
- Two essential filtration stages: Combines sediment removal and carbon block filtration in one compact system.
- Reduced maintenance: Uses only two replacement cartridges for a simple service schedule.
- High-capacity Big Blue design: Uses standard 20" x 4.5" replacement cartridges.
- Clear filter housings: Allow visual inspection of sediment buildup and cartridge condition.
- 1" female NPT ports: Support higher-flow plumbing installations when correctly sized and installed.
- Double O-ring housing seals: Help provide a secure seal when correctly installed and maintained.
- Pressure-relief buttons: Help release trapped pressure before filter maintenance.
- Dual pressure gauges: Help monitor operating pressure and filter restriction.
- Serviceable design: Replaceable cartridges allow routine maintenance without replacing the complete system.
Helps Reduce
- Sand, silt, dirt, rust, and suspended sediment
- Chlorine taste and odor
- Unpleasant tastes and odors
- Turbidity caused by suspended particles
- Selected volatile organic compounds
- Selected pesticides and herbicides
- Selected trihalomethanes and organic chemicals
- Particles that may contribute to staining or appliance buildup
Package Includes
- Two 20" x 4.5" clear Big Blue filter housings with double O-ring seals and pressure-relief buttons
- Two 60 mm liquid-filled pressure gauges
- One 5-micron polypropylene sediment filter
- One 5-micron coconut-shell carbon block filter
- One heavy-duty PVC ball valve
- One hex nipple fitting
- One filter housing wrench
- One heavy-duty two-stage steel wall-mounting bracket
- Installation hardware for the filtration bracket
- One-year manufacturer's limited warranty
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| System Type | Two-stage whole house sediment and carbon block filtration system |
| Filter Cartridge Size | 20" x 4.5" Big Blue |
| Number of Filter Stages | 2 |
| Flow Direction | Right-side inlet to left-side outlet |
| Inlet and Outlet Connections | 1" female NPT |
| Sediment Filter Rating | 5 micron nominal |
| Estimated Sediment Filter Life | Approximately 6 months* |
| Estimated Carbon Filter Capacity | Approximately 20,000–35,000 gallons* |
| Maximum Operating Pressure | 90 PSI |
| Recommended Operating Pressure | 20–60 PSI |
| Operating Water Temperature | 40–100°F / 5–38°C |
| Compatible Feed-Water pH Range | 4.0–10.0 |
| Maximum Feed-Water TDS | 2,000 ppm |
| Housing Pressure Drop | Less than 1 PSI at 20 GPM, excluding cartridge restriction* |
| Maximum Estimated Flow Rate | Up to 40 GPM with 1" inlet and outlet under suitable operating conditions* |
| Approximate Dimensions | 27.5" H x 24.5" W x 8" D |
| Approximate Weight | 45 lb. |
*Actual cartridge life, capacity, pressure drop, and flow rate depend on incoming water quality, sediment concentration, chlorine level, plumbing size, operating pressure, water temperature, flow demand, total water consumption, and cartridge condition. Maximum housing flow does not represent guaranteed contaminant-reduction performance at that flow.
TDS = Total Dissolved Solids.
Recommended Applications
- Residential whole-house water filtration
- Municipal and chlorinated city water supplies
- Homes with sediment, chlorine, taste, or odor concerns
- Cottages and vacation properties
- Offices and small commercial buildings
- Prefiltration before compatible reverse osmosis systems
- Prefiltration before compatible UV treatment systems
- Equipment and appliance protection
- Selected manufacturing and process-water applications
- Selected recycled-water filtration applications
Installation and Maintenance Information
- Install the system on the main cold-water supply line after the pressure tank, when applicable, and before the water heater.
- Connect the incoming water to the right-side inlet and the filtered water line to the left-side outlet.
- Confirm all directional flow markings before completing the plumbing.
- Support the system securely using the supplied steel bracket and suitable mounting hardware for the wall structure.
- Leave sufficient clearance beneath the housings for cartridge replacement and routine maintenance.
- Use suitable thread sealant or PTFE tape on NPT connections. Do not overtighten plastic ports or fittings.
- Shut off the incoming water supply and release system pressure before opening either filter housing.
- Lubricate O-rings only with food-grade silicone lubricant. Do not use petroleum-based lubricants.
- Flush both new cartridges thoroughly according to the product instructions before placing the system into normal service.
- Replace the sediment cartridge when flow declines, the cartridge becomes heavily discolored, or the pressure difference increases.
- Replace the carbon block cartridge when chlorine, unpleasant taste, or odor returns, or when its estimated service capacity is reached.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is the main difference between this 2-stage system and a 3-stage system?
A. This system uses one sediment filter and one carbon block filter. A three-stage system typically adds another specialty or carbon cartridge for additional treatment. The two-stage configuration is simpler to maintain and is suitable when sediment, chlorine, taste, and odor are the primary concerns.
Q. Is one carbon block cartridge enough for a whole house?
A. It may be suitable when the incoming chlorine level and total water usage are within the cartridge's operating capacity. Homes with higher chlorine concentrations, heavy water use, or stronger taste and odor concerns may benefit from an additional GAC or carbon stage.
Q. Is this system recommended for city water?
A. Yes. This configuration is especially useful for chlorinated municipal water where the primary concerns are sediment, rust, chlorine taste, and odor.
Q. Which cartridge should be installed first?
A. The 5-micron sediment filter should be installed in the first housing on the inlet side. The carbon block cartridge should be installed in the second housing so it receives water that has already been filtered for larger particles.
Q. Can the two cartridges be replaced at different times?
A. Yes. The sediment cartridge may clog before the carbon cartridge is exhausted, especially when the incoming water contains heavy dirt or rust. Replace each cartridge according to its condition and performance.
Q. How can I tell when the sediment filter is clogged?
A. Common signs include lower water flow, a larger pressure difference between the gauges, or heavy visible discoloration of the cartridge. The clear housings make visual inspection easier.
Q. How can I tell when the GAC filter is exhausted?
A. Carbon exhaustion may not cause a pressure drop. The return of chlorine smell, unpleasant taste, or odor may indicate that the cartridge requires replacement. Water usage and estimated capacity should also be considered.
Q. Can this system be used before a UV system?
A. Yes. Sediment and carbon filtration can help improve water clarity before compatible UV treatment. The water must still meet the UV system's specific quality and flow-rate requirements.
Q. Can this system protect a reverse osmosis system?
A. Yes. When installed upstream, the sediment and carbon block filters can help reduce particles and chlorine before the water reaches compatible reverse osmosis equipment.
Q. Will this system remove hard-water scale?
A. No. The sediment and carbon block cartridges do not remove calcium or magnesium and do not provide dedicated scale control. Hard-water concerns require an anti-scale system or a properly sized water softener.
Q. Is this system suitable for untreated well water?
A. It may be used as part of a well-water treatment setup, but untreated well water should first be tested for iron, manganese, sulfur, hardness, bacteria, tannins, nitrate, and other contaminants. These conditions may require additional treatment.
