{"product_id":"20-inch-big-blue-carbon-filter-kit","title":"20\" Big Blue Carbon Filter Kit","description":"\u003cp\u003eWhole-house carbon filter kit that takes the chlorine taste and smell out of city water at every tap, built around a genuine Pentair Pentek Big Blue 20 inch housing and a Pentek GAC-20BB granular activated carbon cartridge. Sized for normal household taste and odor polishing, not chloramine and not iron.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"product-description-seo\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 20 inch Big Blue Carbon Filter Kit is a whole-house cartridge carbon filter built on a genuine Pentair Pentek 150233 Big Blue housing and a 4.5 by 20 inch Pentek GAC-20BB granular activated carbon cartridge. Its job is simple and honest: reduce the chlorine taste and odor and general bad taste and odor that make city water unpleasant to drink, shower in, and cook with. Water passes through the full length of the carbon bed so chlorine and taste and odor compounds adsorb onto the carbon, and a 20 micron post-filter in the cartridge holds back carbon fines so the water leaving the filter runs clear.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBest for:\u003c\/strong\u003e homes on chlorinated city or municipal water that want better-tasting, better-smelling water from every faucet without a point-of-use filter on each tap. \u003cstrong\u003eNot for:\u003c\/strong\u003e chloramine (standard granular activated carbon removes it slowly and incompletely, you want a catalytic carbon tank), dissolved iron, manganese, hardness, low pH, hydrogen sulfide rotten egg odor on a well, bacteria, or sediment. None of those are what a GAC taste and odor cartridge is built to fix. If your problem is one of those, pair the right system instead and call us before you buy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWatch first:\u003c\/strong\u003e our walkthrough \"Best Whole House Carbon Filter (What Actually Works)\" on YouTube before buying: https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=LYOy2nNxoPk. It explains the difference between a cartridge carbon filter like this kit and a backwashing catalytic carbon tank, when each one is the right call, and why chloramine changes the answer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTalk to Aidan before you buy.\u003c\/strong\u003e Free expert consultation at 800-460-5810, Monday through Sunday, 8 AM to 5 PM Eastern. Send your water report and Aidan will tell you whether this cartridge carbon filter is the right fit, whether you need a catalytic carbon tank for chloramine or high flow, and what else belongs in your treatment train. No upsell, no hard sell. Mid Atlantic Water is an online-only national ecommerce business shipping to all 50 states, and consultation, water test interpretation, and ongoing support are all delivered remotely.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eKey features and buyer benefits\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReduces chlorine taste and odor across the whole house.\u003c\/strong\u003e One filter on the main line means every tap, shower, and appliance gets carbon-filtered water, not just the kitchen sink.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGenuine Pentek GAC-20BB cartridge with real capacity.\u003c\/strong\u003e Rated for roughly 25,000 gallons of chlorine reduction at 4 GPM (greater than 75 percent reduction at 2 ppm free chlorine), so a typical family gets months of better-tasting water per cartridge.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e20 micron post-filter holds back carbon fines.\u003c\/strong\u003e The cartridge is engineered so water passes through the full carbon bed and then through a 20 micron screen, which keeps loose carbon out of your water.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGenuine Pentair Pentek 150233 housing.\u003c\/strong\u003e High-flow polypropylene rated to 90 PSI, the industry-standard Big Blue housing used by water treatment pros, not a thin no-name shell.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e1 inch NPT female ports for full flow.\u003c\/strong\u003e Matches standard 1 inch home main line plumbing and avoids the pressure penalty of restricting down to 3\/4 inch.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBuilt-in pressure relief button.\u003c\/strong\u003e Vent line pressure before unscrewing the housing so cartridge changes take a couple of minutes with the included wrench.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNSF\/ANSI Standard 42 certified components.\u003c\/strong\u003e The housing and the GAC-20BB cartridge are tested to NSF\/ANSI 42 for material requirements.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eComplete kit, not just a housing.\u003c\/strong\u003e Ships with the genuine Pentair Pentek housing, the pre-installed GAC carbon cartridge, a heavy-duty steel mounting bracket with hardware, and the correct filter wrench.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFree standard shipping to all 50 US states\u003c\/strong\u003e (lower 48 free, AK and HI quoted at checkout) and free expert phone consultation at 800-460-5810.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHousing Model: genuine Pentair Pentek 150233 Big Blue\u003cbr\u003e\nCartridge: Pentek GAC-20BB granular activated carbon (part 155249-43)\u003cbr\u003e\nCartridge Size: 4.5 inches by 20 inches\u003cbr\u003e\nMedia: granular activated carbon (GAC)\u003cbr\u003e\nReduces: chlorine taste and odor, bad taste and odor, some VOCs\u003cbr\u003e\nChlorine Capacity: approximately 25,000 gallons at 4 GPM (greater than 75 percent reduction at 2 ppm free chlorine)\u003cbr\u003e\nPost-Filter: 20 micron, reduces carbon fines\u003cbr\u003e\nInitial Pressure Drop: approximately 5 PSI at 5 GPM on a fresh cartridge\u003cbr\u003e\nInlet and Outlet Connection Size: 1 inch NPT female threaded\u003cbr\u003e\nHousing Material: High-Flow Polypropylene (HFPP), heavy-duty\u003cbr\u003e\nHousing Outer Dimensions: approximately 7 inches wide by 7 inches deep by 21 inches tall\u003cbr\u003e\nMaximum Operating Pressure: 90 PSI\u003cbr\u003e\nPressure Relief: built-in pressure relief button on housing cap\u003cbr\u003e\nMounting Bracket: heavy-duty steel mounting bracket with hardware included\u003cbr\u003e\nFilter Wrench: included, sized for the Big Blue housing\u003cbr\u003e\nCartridge Change Interval: every 3 to 6 months depending on chlorine level and water usage\u003cbr\u003e\nPower Required: none, fully passive cartridge filtration\u003cbr\u003e\nDrain Required: none, this is a cartridge filter not a backwashing system\u003cbr\u003e\nCertification: NSF\/ANSI Standard 42 (housing and cartridge, material requirements)\u003cbr\u003e\nCountry of Origin: housing made in USA\u003cbr\u003e\nCompatible Replacement Cartridges: any standard 4.5 inch by 20 inch carbon cartridge; the genuine GAC-20BB is recommended\u003cbr\u003e\nManufacturer (housing and cartridge): Pentair \/ Pentek\u003cbr\u003e\nFree Expert Consultation: 800-460-5810, 7 days a week 8 AM to 5 PM Eastern\u003cbr\u003e\nFree Shipping: free standard shipping to all 50 US states\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat this filter treats, and what it does not\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTreated: chlorine taste and the chemical chlorine smell, general bad taste and odor, and some volatile organic compounds. Symptom queries this product solves: \"city water tastes like a swimming pool\", \"chlorine smell in my shower\", \"tap water tastes bad\", \"get rid of chlorine taste whole house\", \"better tasting water from every faucet\". \u003cstrong\u003eNot treated:\u003c\/strong\u003e chloramine (standard GAC is not a strong chloramine solution, you want catalytic carbon), dissolved iron, manganese, hardness minerals, low pH, hydrogen sulfide rotten egg odor, bacteria, cysts, lead, PFAS, or sediment. Those each require the appropriate system. If your utility uses chloramine instead of free chlorine, or you need carbon at high continuous flow, choose a backwashing catalytic carbon tank instead of this cartridge kit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhere this fits in a water treatment train\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCorrect order of installation: supply or well pump, pressure tank (on a well), \u003cstrong\u003esediment filter\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003e20 inch Big Blue carbon filter (this product)\u003c\/strong\u003e, water softener (if hardness is a problem), UV disinfection (if bacteria risk). Carbon goes after sediment so sand and grit do not clog the carbon bed or cause channeling. On city water without a well, install a sediment filter and then this carbon filter on the main line where it enters the house.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eInstallation overview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMost homeowners install this themselves in under an hour with basic plumbing tools. Mount the included steel bracket on a wall stud with clearance below the housing for cartridge changes. Cut into the cold water main, ideally after a sediment filter. Connect 1 inch NPT female threaded inlets and outlets, following the flow direction marked on the housing. Pressurize, check for leaks, then run water for 5 to 10 minutes to flush carbon fines (gray water at first is normal). Press the pressure relief button on the cap before any future cartridge change to vent line pressure first, then use the included wrench.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWarranty, support, and ongoing relationship\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Pentair Pentek housing carries the manufacturer warranty. Mid Atlantic Water provides ongoing remote support for the whole treatment train: replacement cartridge sourcing, change-interval coaching, troubleshooting taste or pressure issues, and sizing the next system if your water test reveals other problems. Call or text Aidan at 800-460-5810, Monday through Sunday, 8 AM to 5 PM Eastern. Mid Atlantic Water is an online-only national ecommerce business and we ship to all 50 states.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eFrequently asked questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat does this carbon filter actually remove?\u003c\/strong\u003e Chlorine taste and odor, general bad taste and odor, and some VOCs. It is a taste and odor filter for chlorinated water. It does not remove iron, hardness, bacteria, or sediment, and it is not a certified VOC or lead system.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes it remove chloramine?\u003c\/strong\u003e Not well. Standard granular activated carbon reduces chloramine slowly and incompletely. If your city uses chloramine, choose a backwashing catalytic carbon tank instead, which is built for it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow often do I change the cartridge?\u003c\/strong\u003e Every 3 to 6 months for most homes. The GAC-20BB is rated for about 25,000 gallons of chlorine reduction, roughly 3 months for a family of four. Carbon does not regenerate, so change it on schedule, and sooner if the chlorine taste or smell comes back.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo I need a sediment filter too?\u003c\/strong\u003e The cartridge has a 20 micron post-filter for carbon fines, but it is not a sediment filter. Installing a sediment filter upstream protects the carbon bed and makes the cartridge last longer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is the flow rate?\u003c\/strong\u003e The housing uses 1 inch NPT connections and the GAC-20BB chlorine reduction is rated at 4 GPM for proper contact time. That suits whole-house taste and odor polishing in a normal home. For high continuous demand, a catalytic carbon tank is a better fit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo I need electricity or a drain?\u003c\/strong\u003e No to both. This is a passive cartridge filter with no power, no drain, and no programming.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eRelated guides\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/guides\/carbon-filters-for-water-complete-guide\"\u003eCarbon Filters for Water: The Complete Guide\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/faqs\/backwashing-vs-non-backwashing-carbon-filter\"\u003eBackwashing vs Non-Backwashing Carbon Filters\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/faqs\/what-is-activated-carbon\"\u003eWhat Is Activated Carbon?\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/faqs\/carbon-filter-for-well-water\"\u003eCarbon Filter for Well Water: Do You Need One?\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/faqs\/carbon-filter-and-water-softener\"\u003eCarbon Filter and Water Softener: Do You Need Both?\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/faqs\/carbon-filter-vs-reverse-osmosis\"\u003eCarbon Filter vs Reverse Osmosis\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFree shipping to all lower 48 states.\u003c\/strong\u003e Free expert phone consultation at \u003ca href=\"tel:8004605810\"\u003e800-460-5810\u003c\/a\u003e, 7 days a week, 8 AM to 5 PM Eastern. Aidan can tell you whether a cartridge carbon filter or a backwashing catalytic carbon tank is right for your water, and how to fit it into the rest of your treatment train.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"midatlanticwater.net","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54179224748316,"sku":"150233 | 155249-43","price":259.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0278\/9523\/4605\/files\/20-inch-big-blue-carbon-filter-kit-pentek-housing.jpg?v=1780605766","url":"https:\/\/midatlanticwater.net\/products\/20-inch-big-blue-carbon-filter-kit","provider":"Mid Atlantic Water","version":"1.0","type":"link"}