What is a big blue filter system and how does it work for you?

Well, it’s time to share something about this filter thing that I messed around with recently. It’s called the “big blue filter system.” Sounds kinda fancy, right? But it’s really just a water filter, albeit a pretty big one.

So, first off, I went and got myself one of these Pentek Big Blue filter housing things. I mean, I read somewhere that these are supposed to be pretty good and they can hold those big filter cartridges.

Then, I started thinking, how does this thing actually work? I dug around a bit and found out that it’s mainly used for filtering water for the whole house. You know, at the point where the water comes in. There are also smaller filters that you can use at specific points, like under the sink, but this big blue one is for the main water line.

Setting It Up

• Got the housing and some cartridges.
• Figured out where the main water line was.
• Shut off the water. This was important, didn’t want a flood in my basement!

Next, I had to install it. I followed the instructions that came with it, and honestly, it wasn’t too hard. Just a bit of pipe cutting and connecting. Once I got it all hooked up, I slowly turned the water back on and checked for leaks. Luckily, there were none.

I also learned that you’re supposed to replace these housings every 10 years or so. Mine’s brand new, so I’m good for a while. But it’s something to keep in mind.

Figuring Out the Filter Sequence

I was also wondering about the order of filters. Should I put one before or after the water softener? Turns out, it’s a good idea to put one after the softener to catch any of that softener resin that might come out. And if your water is really muddy, you might want one before the softener too.

Now, how does this thing actually filter the water? Well, from what I gathered, it’s a two-step process. First, the big filter cartridge physically traps all the dirt and stuff. Then, there’s activated carbon inside that acts like a magnet for other bad stuff, like lead. Pretty neat, huh?

In the end, I got this whole thing set up and running. And you know what? The water does seem a bit cleaner. I mean, I didn’t do any scientific tests or anything, but it just feels better. Maybe it’s all in my head, but I’m happy with it.

One of my friend he was installing one of those fancy 3-stage Big Blue systems. That one’s even cooler because it does even more filtering. It’s supposed to remove all sorts of contaminants and even protect your appliances.

So yeah, that’s my little adventure with the big blue filter system. It wasn’t too complicated, and I think it’s a pretty good investment for clean water. If you’re thinking about getting one, I’d say go for it. Just make sure you do your research and follow the instructions, and you should be good to go.