The Pentek CBC-20 is a 20" x 2.5" carbon-briquette filter that reduces chlorine, taste, odor, and parasitic cysts down to 0.5 microns from potable drinking water. With a 45,000-gallon capacity and flow rate of 2 GPM, this FDA-compliant bonded carbon block is engineered for whole-house, well water, and commercial applications where fine filtration and high capacity matter.
SPECIFICATIONS
Pentek CBC-20 Filter Specs
Dimensions
20" × 2.5"
Standard housing size
Micron Rating
0.5 μm
Fine sediment & cyst reduction
Flow Rate
2 GPM
@ 3.0 psi pressure drop
Capacity
45,000 gal
Typical filter life
Filter Media
Bonded PAC
Carbon briquette block
Temperature
40°–145°F
Operating range
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Materials & Construction
| Filter Media | Bonded Powdered Activated Carbon (PAC) |
| End Caps | Polystyrene |
| Netting | Polyethylene |
| Inner/Outer Wrap | Polyolefin |
| Compliance | FDA-compliant materials |
| Manufacturing Process | Patented carbon-briquette process |
| Cyst Reduction | Giardia, Cryptosporidium, Entamoeba, Toxoplasma (per manufacturer testing) |
COMPATIBILITY & APPLICATIONS
Where the Pentek CBC-20 Fits
The CBC-20 fits all standard 20-inch filter housings with 2.5-inch outer diameter compatibility. It's designed for whole-house filtration systems, well water treatment, point-of-entry applications, food service equipment, and commercial installations where chlorine, taste, odor, and cyst reduction are priorities. This carbon block also works as an effective polishing filter or pre-filter in multi-stage systems requiring fine sediment removal and high contaminant capacity. Because it's made from FDA-compliant materials and uses a patented bonded carbon process, it's trusted in residential, commercial, and industrial water treatment applications.
💧 Pro Tip: Carbon block filters like the CBC-20 trap contaminants mechanically and through adsorption, which means flow rate will slow as the filter loads. If you notice pressure drop increasing before the rated capacity, it's a sign your source water has higher sediment or chlorine levels than average—consider adding a 5-micron sediment pre-filter upstream to extend the carbon block's life.
