2-Stage Whole House Water Filter | Big Blue
$518.99
2-Stage Whole House Water Filter | Big Blue
$518.99
Regular price
SKU CQE-WH-01307
Choose each cartridge in a two-stage whole-house system.
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Description
Build a two-cartridge system around your water.
This 2-stage whole house water filter gives you two 20-inch Big Blue housings with separately selected cartridges. Choose Sediment or Carbon Block for Stage 1, then select the Stage 2 cartridge for your main treatment need.
Choose Stage 1
- Sediment: the usual starting point when suspended particles need to be captured before treatment.
- Carbon Block: an option for low-sediment supplies or water that already has sediment prefiltration.
Choose Stage 2
| Cartridge | Replacement SKU | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Sediment | CQE-RC-04034 | 5-micron pleated filtration for sand, silt, dirt and suspended particles. |
| Carbon Block | CQE-RC-04036 | Coconut-shell 5-micron carbon block for chlorine taste and odor and selected organic contaminants. |
| 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. |
| GAC + Eagle Redox | CQE-RC-04106 | Granular and catalytic activated carbon with Eagle Redox Alloy for chlorine, chloramine, taste and odor reduction. |
| Iron & Manganese | CQE-RC-04077 | Dedicated media for iron and manganese concerns. Water chemistry and contaminant loading determine suitability. |
| Lead | CQE-RC-04151 | Lead-targeted filtration. An entry-point filter cannot address lead added by plumbing downstream of the system. |
| Arsenic | CQE-RC-04070 | Arsenic-selective filtration. Select and verify treatment for your water chemistry and incoming arsenic level. |
| Calcium GAC Fluoride | CQE-RC-04129 | Calcium GAC media selected for fluoride reduction. Contact us for naturally occurring fluoride or challenging well-water conditions. |
| Alkalizing | CQE-RC-04093 | Mineral media that raises pH and adds minerals. The finished-water pH depends on your incoming water. |
Useful starting combinations
- Sediment + Carbon Block: suspended particles plus chlorine taste and odor.
- Carbon Block + SMART Plus: carbon and multimedia treatment for a low-sediment supply.
- Sediment + a specialty cartridge: particle prefiltration plus targeted treatment for your identified concern.
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.
Does repeating a cartridge double performance?
No. Two sediment cartridges or two carbon cartridges do not automatically double rated flow, service life or treatment capacity. Repeated-media combinations are available for a defined application; ask us to help select the sequence. When using sediment and carbon together, sediment first is the usual starting point.
Do I replace both cartridges together?
Each cartridge is serviced according to its condition, media and water exposure. One stage may need replacement before the other.
Replacement and care
Plan to replace the pleated sediment cartridge every 6 to 12 months. Other Big Blue cartridges typically last 12 to 24 months. Water quality, contaminant loading and usage determine the actual interval; replace sooner if flow declines or treatment performance requires it. 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 | Two housings with Stage 1 and Stage 2 cartridges selected at purchase |
| 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 | Typically every 6 to 12 months; water quality and usage dependent |
| Other cartridge replacement | Typically every 12 to 24 months; water quality and usage dependent |
| Optional stand dimensions | 17 × 7.75 × 32 inches; these are stand dimensions, not bare-system dimensions |
Parts & Components
Replacement parts for this size
For: Sediment / Carbon Block / With System Stand
-
$44.50
Pleated Cellulose Sediment Cartridge
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 -
$82.00
GAC Filter Cartridge (Coconut Shell Granular Activated Carbon)
Replace every 12 to 24 months -
$261.00
-
$189.00
Iron Filter Cartridge
Replace every 12 to 24 months -
$241.00
Alkalize/
Replace every 12 to 24 monthsIonizer, Mineralizer & Oxidation Cartridge -
$276.00
-
$261.00
Lead Filter Cartridge
Replace every 12 to 24 months
Compare replacement parts for every option
| Option | Parts in one set | Set price |
|---|---|---|
| Sediment / Carbon Block / With System Stand, Sediment / Carbon Block / No System StandSelected$94.00 |
|
$94.00 |
| Sediment / Sediment / With System Stand, Sediment / Sediment / No System StandSelected$89.00 |
|
$89.00 |
| Sediment / SMART Plus / With System Stand, Sediment / SMART Plus / No System StandSelected$285.50 |
|
$285.50 |
| Sediment / GAC + Eagle Redox / With System Stand, Sediment / GAC + Eagle Redox / No System StandSelected$126.50 |
|
$126.50 |
| Sediment / Arsenic / With System Stand, Sediment / Arsenic / No System StandSelected$305.50 |
|
$305.50 |
| Sediment / Iron & Manganese / With System Stand, Sediment / Iron & Manganese / No System StandSelected$233.50 |
|
$233.50 |
| Sediment / Alkalizing / With System Stand, Sediment / Alkalizing / No System StandSelected$285.50 |
|
$285.50 |
| Sediment / Calcium GAC Fluoride / With System Stand, Sediment / Calcium GAC Fluoride / No System StandSelected$320.50 |
|
$320.50 |
| Sediment / Lead / With System Stand, Sediment / Lead / No System StandSelected$305.50 |
|
$305.50 |
| Carbon Block / Carbon Block / With System Stand, Carbon Block / Carbon Block / No System StandSelected$99.00 |
|
$99.00 |
| Carbon Block / Sediment / With System Stand, Carbon Block / Sediment / No System StandSelected$94.00 |
|
$94.00 |
| Carbon Block / SMART Plus / With System Stand, Carbon Block / SMART Plus / No System StandSelected$290.50 |
|
$290.50 |
| Carbon Block / GAC + Eagle Redox / With System Stand, Carbon Block / GAC + Eagle Redox / No System StandSelected$131.50 |
|
$131.50 |
| Carbon Block / Arsenic / With System Stand, Carbon Block / Arsenic / No System StandSelected$310.50 |
|
$310.50 |
| Carbon Block / Iron & Manganese / With System Stand, Carbon Block / Iron & Manganese / No System StandSelected$238.50 |
|
$238.50 |
| Carbon Block / Alkalizing / With System Stand, Carbon Block / Alkalizing / No System StandSelected$290.50 |
|
$290.50 |
| Carbon Block / Calcium GAC Fluoride / With System Stand, Carbon Block / Calcium GAC Fluoride / No System StandSelected$325.50 |
|
$325.50 |
| Carbon Block / Lead / With System Stand, Carbon Block / Lead / No System StandSelected$310.50 |
|
$310.50 |
Set price is the total of the parts listed, at their current prices.
Included with your selection
Two Big Blue housings with caps, sumps and seals; mounting bracket; both selected cartridges. 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. |
| Carbon Block | CQE-RC-04036 | Coconut-shell 5-micron carbon block for chlorine taste and odor and selected organic contaminants. |
| 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. |
| GAC + Eagle Redox | CQE-RC-04106 | Granular and catalytic activated carbon with Eagle Redox Alloy for chlorine, chloramine, taste and odor reduction. |
| Iron & Manganese | CQE-RC-04077 | Dedicated media for iron and manganese concerns. Water chemistry and contaminant loading determine suitability. |
| Lead | CQE-RC-04151 | Lead-targeted filtration. An entry-point filter cannot address lead added by plumbing downstream of the system. |
| Arsenic | CQE-RC-04070 | Arsenic-selective filtration. Select and verify treatment for your water chemistry and incoming arsenic level. |
| Calcium GAC Fluoride | CQE-RC-04129 | Calcium GAC media selected for fluoride reduction. Contact us for naturally occurring fluoride or challenging well-water conditions. |
| Alkalizing | CQE-RC-04093 | Mineral media that raises pH and adds minerals. The finished-water pH depends on your incoming water. |
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.