10 x 4.5 Inch Sediment Filters
These 10 x 4.5 inch "Big Blue" sediment cartridges fit whole-house filter housings. This page carries options from Pentek, Tier1, USWF, American Plumber, GE SmartWater and 3M Aqua-Pure, plus Watts Flo-Pro, in micron ratings from 1 to 50. Match the size and micron rating of your current cartridge.
Spun vs pleated vs string wound
Spun polypropylene cartridges capture sediment through the depth of the media. The Pentek DGD-5005 (5 micron) and DGD-2501 (1 micron) use gradient-density polypropylene.
Pleated cartridges fold their media to add surface area. The Pentek R30 and R50 use pleated polyester, rated 30 and 50 micron.
String wound cartridges are made by winding filter yarn around a core. Check each product page for its micron rating and media.
Common questions
What size is a 10 x 4.5 (Big Blue) filter?
A 10 x 4.5 (Big Blue) filter is a nominal size. Actual cartridges measure about 4.5 inches wide and 9.75 to 9.88 inches long; the Pentek ECP5-BB, for example, is 4.5 x 9.75 inches. These cartridges fit Big Blue filter housings.
1 micron vs 5 micron: which do I need?
A 1 micron filter captures finer particles than a 5 micron filter, but it loads up faster. Choose 1 micron, such as the Pentek DGD-2501, for very fine particles, or 5 micron, such as the DGD-5005, for general fine sediment.
How often should you change a sediment filter?
How often you change a sediment filter depends on how much sediment your water carries and the cartridge's micron rating. Lower-micron cartridges load faster, so they usually need changing sooner. Check the manufacturer's guidance on each product page.
Will a sediment filter remove lead or bacteria?
A sediment filter is not designed to remove lead or bacteria; it captures particles such as sand and silt. For chlorine taste and odor, pair your sediment cartridge with one of our 10 x 4.5 carbon filters.
