Pentair Pentek WS-20BB, 20" Big Blue Water Softener Cartridge, 20" x 4.5"

This absolutely softens our hard FL water quite well... although keep in mind the low (750 grain) capacity. Get a water analysis kit to see how useful it will be for you... for instance, the water quality kit showed our water have approximately 20 grains per gallon. 750/20 = 37.5 gallons of softened water before the resin is depleted. However, you can recharge it with salt water, greatly extending its usefulness.Do NOT just dump the cartridge in salt water like I did at first... it will not recharge (or will do so very very slowly). You need to purge the water that's already inside the filter first, then ideally fill that filter with salt water afterwards. I used a water bottle, filled it with salt water, and squeezed it gently through the top of the filter.. you really have to get it so it seals at the top of the filter. it purged out the fresh water and replaced it with salt water, allowing the resin to recharge. Works good as new after a day or so.

I was skeptical about this filter. I feared that (1) it wouldn't filter well, or it would have a reduced flow rate compared to the activated carbon filter that we were using. And (2) I feared that the "water softening" claim would be a gimmick of some sort. However, I am very pleased that this filter performs as claimed. The flow rate is slightly higher than the pleated/carbon filters that we replaced. The filtering is fine, with no noticeable increase in solids. And the filtered water is actually soft. We can lather in the shower; the dishwasher actually works now; the clothes washing machine produces better results. I will buy these again -- this is now our preferred filter.We live in northeast Wyoming right next to a creek. Our well is only 20 feet deep, and we are basically drinking creek-water. So, we depend on the big blue filter and a UV-lamp system to make our water potable. With activated carbon filters and the UV system, we were safe. But the water was very hard. We don't have room for a traditional water softening system without major remodeling. So, this filter provides a convenient upgrade. Yes, the filters are expensive, but in my opinion, they are a good value.

It works fine, price has been climbing and it's only an average value now, used to be a better value.

i just tried to install it yesterday, but unfortunately it was so sad to find out there is an used one in the box ! can i still asked refund ?

I’m not entirely convinced that reverse osmosis or a salt-based softener solution was for me, so this was ideal. If only there was a way to recharge them….Flow rate for a 2 bath 3 bed house is fine. I don’t notice any major pressure drop at 86psi from the street.

We have very hard water and this filter worked great. I used to have to scrub the tub every few days and with this filter I don't haveany blue or red stains. My daughter and I both have blonde hair and this filter helped to keep the mineral deposits from discoloring our hair.No water spots when washing the car. I would highly recommend this product and will buy again.

I have used these filters to reduce the hardness in our water in our condo (which cannot support the traditional Water softener that requires salt to be replaced and a large space. You have to change these filters frequently as their life span is limited. I re-ordered two of the Pentek WS--20BB (I always try and have one in reserve as I measure the hardness of the water and sometimes I have to replace the filter in advance of the manufacturers recommended number of gallons it will process). I opened the first box upon receipt and installed it in my Big Blue. The filter you will find is not perfect but it does an adequate job in a condo environment (better than nothing) and it cut the hardness of our water in half (clothes are cleaner, dishes do not cloud, etc.). I just arrived at the recommended replacement point (more than 30 days later), based on water flow rate and the second WS-20BB filter was smashed and damaged - see pictures. My recommendation - first, open these filters immediately upon receipt and thoroughly check for damage. Second, DO NOT ORDER TWO or MORE at a time. Amazon needs to pack these filters with some padding when sending more than one filter (BTW - there is no padding in the packing the box the filter is delivered) as the filters are very heavy, which probably attributed to the damage to the top of the second filter which was leaking "brown" sand type material used in the water softener process.

My water was so bad I had to clean out my water heater tank every 3 months. I tried this cartridge and it's been 9 months and There's barely any residue on the heating element.