2-stage 20"x4.5 Whole House Big Blue Water Filtration System with 2 Gauges
2-Stage 20" x 4.5" Big Blue Whole House Water Filtration System with Sediment and GAC Filters
Improve the water quality throughout your home, cottage, lake house, 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 granular activated carbon 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 media 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, seasonal, 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 granular activated carbon cartridge from premature clogging. - Coconut-Shell Granular Activated Carbon Filter
Part No. 104113 . Reduces chlorine, unpleasant taste, odor, and selected organic compounds while supporting strong water flow through the loose carbon media.
Why Choose Granular Activated Carbon?
Granular activated carbon, commonly called GAC, uses loose carbon granules with a large internal surface area. As water passes through the media, chlorine and selected taste- and odor-causing compounds are adsorbed onto the carbon.
Because the carbon media is granular rather than compressed into a solid block, a GAC cartridge can provide effective chlorine, taste, and odor reduction while maintaining strong flow in whole-house applications.
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 GAC cartridge is becoming clogged and requires inspection or replacement.
Carbon media exhaustion may not always create a noticeable pressure change. Replace the GAC cartridge when chlorine, unpleasant taste, or odor begins to return, or when the recommended service capacity is reached.
Key Features and Benefits
- Whole-house filtration: Treats incoming water before it reaches faucets, showers, fixtures, and appliances.
- Two practical filtration stages: Combines sediment removal and granular activated carbon treatment.
- High-flow carbon filtration: Loose GAC media supports effective chlorine, taste, and odor reduction while maintaining flow.
- 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 first-stage housing: Allows visual inspection of sediment accumulation.
- 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 cartridge restriction.
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
- One 20" x 4.5" clear Big Blue filter housing with double O-ring seal and pressure-relief button
- One 20" x 4.5" opaque Big Blue filter housing with double O-ring seal and pressure-relief button
- Two 60 mm liquid-filled pressure gauges
- One 5-micron polypropylene sediment filter
- One coconut-shell granular activated carbon 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 granular activated carbon 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 GAC 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 15" W x 8" D |
| Approximate Weight | 32 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
- Cottages, lake houses, and vacation properties
- Seasonal-use homes and cabins
- Offices and small commercial buildings
- Homes with chlorine taste or odor concerns
- Prefiltration before compatible reverse osmosis systems
- Prefiltration before compatible UV treatment systems
- Equipment and appliance protection
- Selected manufacturing and process-water 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.
- Install the sediment filter in the first housing and the GAC cartridge in the second housing.
- 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 GAC cartridge when chlorine, unpleasant taste, or odor returns, or when its estimated service capacity is reached.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is the main benefit of a GAC filter?
A. Granular activated carbon helps reduce chlorine, unpleasant taste, odor, and selected organic compounds. Its loose carbon media also supports strong water flow, making it suitable for many whole-house applications.
Q. How is a GAC filter different from a carbon block filter?
A. GAC filter contains loose carbon granules and generally supports higher flow with effective chlorine, taste, and odor reduction. A carbon block uses compressed carbon media and typically provides finer filtration and additional polishing, but may create more flow restriction.
Q. Is this system suitable for a cottage or lake house?
A. Yes, especially when the water is already treated and the main concerns are sediment, chlorine, taste, and odor. Untreated lake or well water should be professionally tested because bacteria, tannins, iron, manganese, sulfur, or other contaminants may require additional treatment.
Q. Will the GAC cartridge release black carbon particles?
A. small amount of carbon fines may appear during initial startup or after cartridge replacement. This is normal. Flush the new cartridge thoroughly until the water runs clear.
Q. How long should I flush a new GAC cartridge?
A. Flush the cartridge until the water runs clear and no visible carbon fines remain. The exact flushing time depends on water pressure, plumbing layout, and flow rate.
Q. Which cartridge should be installed first?
A. The sediment filter should be installed in the first housing on the inlet side. The GAC filter should be installed second so it receives water that has already been filtered for larger particles.
Q. Can the sediment and GAC filters be replaced separately?
A. Yes. The sediment cartridge may clog before the GAC media is exhausted. Replace each cartridge according to its condition, pressure readings, water usage, and filtration performance.
Q. How can I tell when the sediment filter needs replacement?
A. Common signs include lower water flow, a larger pressure difference between the gauges, or heavy visible discoloration of the cartridge. The clear inlet housing makes visual inspection easier.
Q. How can I tell when the GAC filter is exhausted?
A. GAC exhaustion may not cause a noticeable pressure drop. The return of chlorine smell, unpleasant taste, or odor may indicate that the cartridge requires replacement.
Q. Does this system soften hard water?
A. No. The sediment and GAC filters do not remove calcium or magnesium and do not soften the water. Hard-water concerns require an anti-scale system or a properly sized water softener.
Q. Does this system reduce TDS = Total Dissolved Solids.?
A. No. Sediment and GAC filtration do not substantially reduce TDS. Reverse osmosis or another specialized treatment process is required when dissolved-solid reduction is needed.
Q. Can this system be installed 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.
