If you're wondering how to figure out which size and type of replacement water filter is best for your family and where you can get it, keep reading as I dive into this topic for today's blog!
Hi! I'm Gary the Water Guy and I simplify water filtration to help you Conquer Crappy Water for Your Family.
On the topic of replacement water filters, you want to make sure you get the correct SIZE and TYPE of replacement water filter for your family the first time to protect your family from contaminants in your water. But, by looking at the housing you may have no idea what type of filter is inside! So, let me show you how to figure out exactly what you need.
DETERMINING WHICH TYPE OF WATER FILTER YOU NEED
With any kind of whole-house water filter or pre-filter for a UV water system, you’ll need to replace those filters at some point. The time for replacement is once a year or whenever they become so clogged that they slow down your water flow, whichever comes first.
Keep in mind: the BIGGER the filter, the LESS OFTEN you’ll need to change it because it has more capacity.
FILTER SIZE
First, let’s talk about filter size. There are 2 diameters (2 ½” or 4 ½”) and 2 lengths (either 10” or 20”). But those are the sizes of the filters themselves inside the filter housing, not the filters. The chart below shows the approximate exterior dimensions of the filter housing so you can use those to help you figure out what’s inside!
| Filter Name | Filter Dimension | Approx. Housing Dimensions |
| 10” Slim Line | 2 ½” x 10” | 5 ½” x 12” |
| 20” Slim Line | 2 ½” x 20” | 5 ½” x 23” |
| 10” Big Blue (BB) | 4 ½” x 10” | 7 ½” x 14” |
| 20” Big Blue (BB) | 4 ½” x 20” | 7 ½” x 23” |
FILTER TYPES
With various filter types available for your water treatment needs, we next need to determine what you want that filter to DO for you.
CARBON & CHLORAMINE FILTERS
If you’re on a chlorinated, city water source, you’ll want a carbon filter to remove that chlorine. But you’ll also need to check with your water provider or municipality to see if they combine ammonia with chlorine, in which case you’ll need a chloramine filter.
Check out this video to learn more about the different types of carbon filters.
>> ARE ALL CARBON FILTERS THE SAME?
SEDIMENT FILTERS
Or maybe your city water has too much sediment (dirt) in it and it keeps clogging the screens for your washing machine or the aerators on your kitchen taps. Then you would need a sediment filter.
If, your water source is well water, again you need to know what you’re hoping to accomplish. If you have lots of dirt in your water, you’ll need a coarse (high-micron) filter to do the heavy lifting before your other water filtration equipment. Basically, the higher the micron number the coarser the filter.
See the video below to learn more about that.
>> Which MICRON sediment WATER FILTER is BEST for my family?
PRE-FILTERS & CARBON FILTERS
But if you have a UV light you’ll need a 5-micron pre-filter just before the UV light to get your sediment down to 5 microns, and follow it up with a carbon filter to get rid of the herbicides and pesticides from your water.
TANNIN FILTERS
And there are also specialty filters like this tannin filter to remove tannins — that weak tea coloured water often associated with cottages and cabins that get their water from lakes and rivers.
WE'RE HERE FOR YOU!
If you're still not sure exactly what filters you need, just email us pictures of your filter housing — or better yet, pictures of the filters — then let us know the size and what you would like the filter to do for you and our water treatment specialists can make some helpful recommendations. Simply email us at info@waterestore.com.
WHERE TO BUY YOUR REPLACEMENT WATER FILTERS
We have a huge assortment of whole house replacement water filters at our e-commerce stores, WatereStore.ca in Canada and WatereStore.com in the USA. Check them out now — we offer free shipping and discount pricing!
