Sediment Filter Systems

Sediment filters for well water remove sand, silt, rust, and dirt before they reach your plumbing and equipment. Without a sediment filter, particles in your well water can clog valves, damage appliances, and shorten the life of your iron filter, acid neutralizer, and water softener.

 

We carry Rusco spin-down filters, Big Blue cartridge filters, and a Fleck 2510SXT backwashing sediment system for heavy sediment — plus all replacement cartridges and screens. To learn more, read our Complete Guide to Sediment Filters or call us at 800-460-5810.

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16 products

 

Types of Sediment Filters

 

Choosing the right sediment filter depends on how much sediment your well produces and where the filter sits in your treatment system. For a step-by-step decision guide, see How to Choose a Sediment Filter for Your Well.

 

Spin-Down Filters (Rusco)

Spin-down filters use a reusable screen to trap larger particles like sand and grit. Water enters the housing and spins, forcing sediment to the bottom where it collects in a clear bowl. You flush it by opening a valve — no cartridge to buy or replace. Learn how spin-down filters work.

 

Spin-down filters work best as a pre-filter to protect downstream equipment like iron filters, acid neutralizers, and water softeners.

 

• Standard Rusco Inline Sediment Filter (1" connections) — $145
• Large Rusco Inline Sediment Filter (1-1/2" connections) — $165

 

Cartridge Filters (Big Blue)

Big Blue cartridge filters use a replaceable 5-micron sediment cartridge that traps finer particles like silt, rust, and turbidity. Available in 10" and 20" housings — the 20" version handles higher flow rates and lasts longer between changes. Micron ratings explained.

 

• 10" Big Blue Sediment Filter Kit — $165 (compact, good for smaller homes)
• 20" Big Blue Sediment Filter Kit — $195 (higher capacity, better flow rates)

 

Backwashing Sediment Filter (Fleck 2510SXT)

For wells with heavy or persistent sediment, the Fleck 2510SXT 2.5 Cubic Foot Sediment Removal System ($1,895) uses a Vortech tank filled with filter media that traps sediment throughout the entire bed. The system automatically backwashes on a set schedule, flushing trapped sediment to a drain. Media lasts 5–8 years.

 

Not sure which type is right for your well? See our comparison: Best Sediment Filter for Well Water.

 

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Quick Comparison

 

	Spin-Down (Rusco)	Cartridge (Big Blue)	Backwashing (Fleck)
Best for	Sand, grit	Silt, rust, fine particles	Heavy/persistent sediment
Filtration	Reusable screen	5-micron cartridge	Media bed, auto-backwash
Maintenance	Flush the bowl	Replace cartridge every 3–6 mo	Media lasts 5–8 years
Needs electric/drain?	No	No	Yes
Starting price	$145	$165	$1,895

 

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FAQs

 

What do they remove? Where to install Micron ratings How often to replace Need one with an iron filter? Best for well water Sand in well water Installation Warranty

 

 

Q. What does a sediment filter remove?

 

A. Sediment filters remove physical particles from your water — sand, silt, dirt, rust, and other suspended debris. They do not remove dissolved contaminants like iron, hardness, or bacteria. If you have those issues, you'll need an iron filter, acid neutralizer, water softener, or UV disinfection system in addition to a sediment filter.

 

 

Q. Where should I install my sediment filter?

 

A. Install your sediment filter on the main water line after the pressure tank but before any other treatment equipment. Sediment filters should be the first line of defense — they protect your iron filter, acid neutralizer, water softener, and UV system from getting clogged or damaged by particles. The order should be: well → pressure tank → sediment filter → other treatment → house.

 

 

Q. What micron rating do I need?

 

A. It depends on the size of particles in your water:

 

• Rusco spin-down filters use screens rated between 60 and 500 mesh — best for larger particles like sand and grit
• Big Blue cartridge filters are rated at 5 microns, which catches finer sediment like silt and rust
• 1-micron cartridges are available for the finest filtration but clog faster

 

If you're unsure, start with a spin-down pre-filter for the large particles and add a cartridge filter after it for finer filtration. For a detailed breakdown, read Sediment Filter Micron Ratings Explained.

 

 

Q. How often do I need to replace the filter or screen?

 

A. It depends on the type of sediment filter:

 

• Rusco spin-down filters: The screen is reusable — just flush it when sediment collects in the bowl. Replace the screen every 2–3 years or if it becomes damaged.
• Big Blue cartridge filters: Replace the cartridge every 3–6 months depending on sediment levels. A drop in water pressure is the easiest sign it's time.
• Backwashing sediment filters: The filter media typically lasts 5–8 years. The system backwashes automatically, so there's very little day-to-day maintenance.

 

 

Q. Do I need a sediment filter if I already have an iron filter?

 

A. If your well produces visible sediment, sand, or silt — yes. A sediment filter installed before your iron filter prevents particles from clogging the filter media and reduces how often the system needs to backwash. Even if your iron filter handles some sediment on its own, a dedicated pre-filter extends the life of your entire treatment system.

 

 

Q. Which sediment filter is best for well water?

 

A. For most well water systems, we recommend starting with a Rusco spin-down filter as a pre-filter. If you need finer filtration (for silt, rust, or turbidity), add a 20" Big Blue cartridge filter after the spin-down. For wells with heavy, persistent sediment, the Fleck 2510SXT backwashing sediment filter is the most effective long-term solution. For a detailed comparison, read Best Sediment Filter for Well Water.

 

 

Q. Why is there sand or sediment in my well water?

 

A. Sand and sediment in well water can come from several sources:

 

• Aging well casing — cracks or corrosion allow surrounding soil and sand into the well
• Pump set too deep — the pump is drawing from near the bottom of the well where sediment collects
• Naturally sandy aquifer — some geological formations produce sand as a normal part of the water supply
• Well screen deterioration — the screen at the bottom of the well that filters out large particles has degraded

 

A sediment filter solves the symptom and protects your plumbing, but if sediment has suddenly increased, it may indicate a well issue worth investigating. For more detail, read Sand and Sediment in Well Water: Causes, Dangers & Solutions.

 

 

Q. Can I install a sediment filter myself?

 

A. Yes — all of our sediment filters are designed for homeowner installation. Rusco inline filters and Big Blue cartridge filters install directly on your main water line with standard plumbing connections — most homeowners finish in under an hour. The Fleck 2510SXT backwashing system takes a bit more work (plumbing plus a drain connection), but most handy homeowners can do it in 1–2 hours.

 

Need help? Call us at 800-460-5810 and we'll walk you through the installation step by step.

 

 

Q. What's the warranty on your sediment filters?

 

A. Our Fleck 2510SXT backwashing sediment filter comes with a 5-year warranty on the control valve and a 10-year warranty on the Vortech media tank. Rusco and Big Blue housings carry manufacturer warranties. All orders include free shipping and free tech support — call us at 800-460-5810 or email support@midatlanticwater.net.