3-Stage Whole House Water Filter | Big Blue
$789.99
3-Stage Whole House Water Filter | Big Blue
$789.99
Regular price
SKU CQE-WH-01293
Whole-home filtration in three Big Blue stages, with a treatment cartridge you choose.
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Description
Three stages, with one clear treatment choice.
This 3-stage whole house water filter combines a sediment prefilter, your selected treatment cartridge and a carbon block finishing stage in three 20-inch Big Blue housings. Choose the treatment for your water, then add the optional floor stand if you prefer floor mounting.
Every package includes three cartridges. The treatment selection replaces the middle cartridge; it does not add another housing or include all seven treatments. SMART Plus is included only when you select the SMART Plus treatment.
What is in each package?
| Treatment selection | Stage 1 | Stage 2 | Stage 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| GAC + Eagle Redox | Sediment | GAC + Eagle Redox | Carbon Block |
| SMART Plus | Sediment | SMART Plus | Carbon Block |
| Alkalizing | Sediment | Alkalizing | Carbon Block |
| Lead | Sediment | Lead | Carbon Block |
| Iron & Manganese | Sediment | Iron & Manganese | Carbon Block |
| Calcium GAC Fluoride | Sediment | Calcium GAC Fluoride | Carbon Block |
| Arsenic | Sediment | Arsenic | Carbon Block |
Choose the treatment that fits your water
| Cartridge | Replacement SKU | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| GAC + Eagle Redox | CQE-RC-04106 | Granular and catalytic activated carbon with Eagle Redox Alloy for chlorine, chloramine, taste and odor reduction. |
| SMART Plus | CQE-RC-04030 | Multimedia filtration with coconut-shell and catalytic carbon, Eagle Redox Alloys, ion exchange and mineral media. A general-purpose choice for chlorine, chloramine and a range of other contaminants. |
| Alkalizing | CQE-RC-04093 | Mineral media that raises pH and adds minerals. The finished-water pH depends on your incoming water. |
| Lead | CQE-RC-04151 | Lead-targeted filtration. An entry-point filter cannot address lead added by plumbing downstream of the system. |
| Iron & Manganese | CQE-RC-04077 | Dedicated media for iron and manganese concerns. Water chemistry and contaminant loading determine suitability. |
| Calcium GAC Fluoride | CQE-RC-04129 | Calcium GAC media selected for fluoride reduction. Contact us for naturally occurring fluoride or challenging well-water conditions. |
| Arsenic | CQE-RC-04070 | Arsenic-selective filtration. Select and verify treatment for your water chemistry and incoming arsenic level. |
Match the system to your water and flow
Use this system on a cold, potable household water supply. Cartridge choice, contaminant concentration, water chemistry and simultaneous demand affect performance. For specialty treatment, plan around 4 to 6 gallons per minute and confirm the application with Crystal Quest. A compatible cartridge fit does not establish treatment capacity or guarantee a particular pressure drop.
For unknown well-water quality, heavy contaminant loading or a higher-flow home, ask a Crystal Quest specialist to review the application. These cartridge systems do not replace a water softener or disinfection system when those treatments are needed.
Can I customize all three stages?
These packages give you a simple starting configuration with sediment and carbon included. If you need a different combination, request a custom cartridge arrangement. We will confirm the sequence, flow and price for your water before you order.
How does this compare with other Big Blue systems?
Compare the included cartridges as well as the housing count. Our established specialty Big Blue double and triple systems include SMART filtration alongside the specialty cartridge. This configurable triple includes Sediment, your selected treatment and Carbon Block. The Big Blue collection lets you compare the available configurations.
Replacement and care
Big Blue cartridges, including the pleated sediment cartridge, often last about 24 to 30 months, depending on feed-water conditions and usage. Replace sooner if you notice any change in taste or odor, reduced flow, or testing that shows treatment performance is no longer adequate. Invisible contaminants such as lead and arsenic require appropriate water testing to verify performance.
The housings accept compatible 5 × 20-inch and 4⅝ × 20-inch cartridges. You can change the treatment at a future cartridge replacement; confirm the new sequence and application before switching media. Follow the supplied cartridge instructions, including any additional servicing instructions for iron media.
Crystal Quest has manufactured water filtration systems in the USA since 1994. Our manufacturing operates under an ISO 9001 certified quality management system, and these systems use NSF-certified components. Component certification does not mean the assembled system is NSF certified.
Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Configuration | Three housings: Sediment, selected treatment cartridge, Carbon Block |
| Cartridge compatibility | 20-inch Big Blue format: compatible 5 × 20-inch and 4⅝ × 20-inch cartridges |
| Included cartridge format | Crystal Quest 4⅝ × 20-inch replacement cartridges listed in Parts & Components |
| Inlet and outlet | 1-inch inlet and outlet connections |
| Operating pressure | 30 to 60 psi; install a pressure-reducing valve if supply pressure exceeds 60 psi |
| Operating temperature | 40 to 85°F (4.4 to 29.4°C); cold potable water only |
| Flow selection | Select for the installed cartridges and incoming water. Specialty Big Blue applications generally use 4 to 6 GPM; have Crystal Quest confirm higher demand. |
| Electrical supply | None required for the cartridge assembly |
| Backwash equipment | No automatic backwash valve or drain connection; follow cartridge-specific care instructions |
| Mounting | Mounting bracket; optional powder-coated aluminum floor stand |
| Service clearance | Allow at least 2 inches below the sumps and access to the pressure-relief buttons |
| Sediment replacement | Often about 24 to 30 months, depending on feed-water conditions and usage; replace earlier if taste or odor changes, flow declines, or testing shows inadequate treatment |
| Other cartridge replacement | Often about 24 to 30 months, depending on feed-water conditions and usage; replace earlier if taste or odor changes, flow declines, or testing shows inadequate treatment |
| Optional stand dimensions | 24 × 7.75 × 32 inches; these are stand dimensions, not bare-system dimensions |
Parts & Components
Replacement parts for this size
For: GAC + Eagle Redox / No System Stand
-
$44.50
Pleated Cellulose Sediment Cartridge
Replace every 12 to 24 months -
$82.00
GAC Filter Cartridge (Coconut Shell Granular Activated Carbon)
Replace every 12 to 24 months -
$49.50
Coconut Based 5-Micron Carbon Block Filter Cartridge
Replace every 12 to 24 months -
$241.00
SMART Filter Cartridge
Replace every 12 to 24 months -
$241.00
Alkalize/
Replace every 12 to 24 monthsIonizer, Mineralizer & Oxidation Cartridge -
$261.00
Lead Filter Cartridge
Replace every 12 to 24 months -
$189.00
Iron Filter Cartridge
Replace every 12 to 24 months -
$276.00
-
$261.00
Compare replacement parts for every treatment cartridge
| Treatment Cartridge | Parts in one set | Set price |
|---|---|---|
| GAC + Eagle RedoxSelected$176.00 |
|
$176.00 |
| SMART PlusSelected$335.00 |
|
$335.00 |
| AlkalizingSelected$335.00 |
|
$335.00 |
| LeadSelected$355.00 |
|
$355.00 |
| Iron & ManganeseSelected$283.00 |
|
$283.00 |
| Calcium GAC FluorideSelected$370.00 |
|
$370.00 |
| ArsenicSelected$355.00 |
|
$355.00 |
Set price is the total of the parts listed, at their current prices.
Included with your selection
Three Big Blue housings with caps, sumps and seals; mounting bracket; Sediment cartridge, selected treatment cartridge and Carbon Block cartridge. The aluminum floor stand is included only when you select With System Stand.
Use the selected cartridge names below to order replacements. Every listed replacement is the 4⅝ × 20-inch format. Only the cartridges in your selected configuration are included.
| Cartridge | Replacement SKU | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Sediment | CQE-RC-04034 | 5-micron pleated filtration for sand, silt, dirt and suspended particles. |
| GAC + Eagle Redox | CQE-RC-04106 | Granular and catalytic activated carbon with Eagle Redox Alloy for chlorine, chloramine, taste and odor reduction. |
| SMART Plus | CQE-RC-04030 | Multimedia filtration with coconut-shell and catalytic carbon, Eagle Redox Alloys, ion exchange and mineral media. A general-purpose choice for chlorine, chloramine and a range of other contaminants. |
| Alkalizing | CQE-RC-04093 | Mineral media that raises pH and adds minerals. The finished-water pH depends on your incoming water. |
| Lead | CQE-RC-04151 | Lead-targeted filtration. An entry-point filter cannot address lead added by plumbing downstream of the system. |
| Iron & Manganese | CQE-RC-04077 | Dedicated media for iron and manganese concerns. Water chemistry and contaminant loading determine suitability. |
| Calcium GAC Fluoride | CQE-RC-04129 | Calcium GAC media selected for fluoride reduction. Contact us for naturally occurring fluoride or challenging well-water conditions. |
| Arsenic | CQE-RC-04070 | Arsenic-selective filtration. Select and verify treatment for your water chemistry and incoming arsenic level. |
| Carbon Block | CQE-RC-04036 | Coconut-shell 5-micron carbon block for chlorine taste and odor and selected organic contaminants. |
Service parts
| Part | Part number | Selection note |
|---|---|---|
| 5-inch housing wrench | CQE-PT-03022 | Replacement/service accessory |
| Big Blue cap | CQE-PT-03086 | Match the existing cap and connection size before ordering |
| 20-inch Big Blue sump | CQE-PT-03088 | Match the existing housing before ordering |
| Dark-blue housing O-ring | CQE-PT-03189 | Select by the existing housing, not cartridge dimensions |
| Light-blue housing O-rings | CQE-PT-03189L | For the corresponding light-blue housing; sold as listed |
Service parts above are replacement references, not extra items added to the package. Contact Crystal Quest to match and order a replacement cap or sump. Installation pipe, fittings, shutoff valves, bypass plumbing and wall anchors are not included.
Installation Instructions
Download the official Whole House Compact installation and operation guide (PDF). Read the full guide and the supplied cartridge instructions before installation. Installation must be performed by a qualified, licensed plumber in accordance with applicable plumbing requirements.
- Check the supply and location. Use a protected location on the main cold, potable water line. Keep the assembly away from freezing temperatures, direct sunlight and heat. Confirm supply pressure is 30 to 60 psi and water temperature is 40 to 85°F. Fit pressure reduction where pressure exceeds 60 psi. Do not use on microbiologically unsafe water without adequate disinfection.
- Shut off and depressurize. Turn off the main water supply and open a downstream cold-water faucet to relieve pressure before cutting pipe or opening a housing.
- Support the system. Secure the mounting bracket to suitable structural support, or position the selected floor stand. Support the plumbing independently and allow at least 2 inches below each sump for service. Preserve electrical bonding across metallic plumbing where required.
- Connect the inlet and outlet. Follow the flow arrows on the housing caps. Provide suitable shutoff valves and service access; a bypass arrangement allows the home to receive water during maintenance. Pipes, fittings, shutoff valves, bypass plumbing and wall anchors are supplied by the installer.
- Check the cartridges and seals. Confirm the supplied cartridge labels and the ordered configuration. Remove any protective cartridge wrapping, position each cartridge correctly, and check that the O-rings are clean, undamaged and seated. Follow the manual for approved seal lubrication and tightening; do not overtighten.
- Repressurize slowly. Open the supply gradually, release trapped air using the pressure-relief buttons as directed, and inspect all housings and connections for leaks. Correct leaks before placing the system in service.
- Flush before use. Follow the manual's startup cycle: flush for 10 minutes, wait 1 hour, then flush for another 10 minutes. Follow any additional instructions supplied with the selected cartridges. Recheck for leaks and confirm satisfactory flow.
When replacing cartridges
Isolate the system and relieve pressure before opening a sump. Clean and inspect the housing and seals, install the correct replacement cartridges in the labeled order, then repressurize, leak-check and repeat the specified flushing procedure. Never open a pressurized housing.
For help with installation, cartridge selection or replacement, contact Crystal Quest.