When you're shopping for filtration separation, the first fork in the road is whether you need replacement filter media or the vessel that holds it. That's the choice between a 20-pack of string wound sediment cartridges and a Filtra Systems bag filter housing. One is a box of 20 sediment cartridges for Big Blue-style housings; the other is a single-bag stainless steel housing for process-liquid filtration.
Quick verdict
Choose the cartridge set if you already run a Big Blue-style sediment filter and need a long refill supply. Choose the Filtra Systems housing if you need a stainless steel bag filter vessel for industrial liquid filtration. They don't compete for the same slot; they solve different halves of filtration separation.
Comparison at a glance
| Product | Listed price | Price bar | What it is |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 Pack 10" x 4.5" String Wound Sediment Water Filter | USD 152.45 | 20 sediment cartridges for Big Blue-style housings | |
| Filtra Systems FSC Bag Filter Housing 304 Stainless Steel 150 PSI Industrial | USD 550.00 | Stainless steel bag filter housing for process liquids |
The listed prices sit at USD 152.45 and USD 550.00, with the cartridge set about 72% below the housing. The spread reflects 20 pieces of consumable media versus one industrial vessel.
Where the cartridge set wins
Membrane Solutions gives you a refill inventory in one purchase. Each cartridge uses food-grade polypropylene string wound construction, is lead- and BPA-free, and is NSF-certified against NSF/ANSI Standard 42 for material requirements. The listing assigns a 30,000-gallon capacity and sediment removal up to 99% for rust, silt, sand, and other undissolved particulates. The compatible-model list covers a wide range of Big Blue-style housings, so it suits a whole-house first-stage sediment filter.
Where the housing wins
The Filtra Systems FSC housing is a 304 stainless steel vessel designed for liquid filtration. Its nameplate specifies a maximum working pressure of 150 PSI, a maximum working temperature of 210°F, and a maximum differential pressure of 35 PSI. With a single basket and bag support basket, it's intended for process-liquid applications such as water, coolant, and oil. If you need a durable housing rather than replacement cartridges, this is the industrial component for that part of the system.
Membrane Solutions String Wound Sediment Water Filter
This is the restock option for a Big Blue-style sediment filter. The box holds 20 cartridges, and each one is made from food-grade polypropylene with a string wound construction certified by NSF for material safety. The 30,000-gallon capacity and 99% sediment removal claim make it a sensible first-stage choice for protecting downstream water equipment from rust, silt, and sand. As a sediment filter, its job is limited to undissolved particulates, so it's not a carbon or chemical treatment stage. If you already own a compatible Big Blue-style housing, this is the practical refill.
Filtra Systems FSC Bag Filter Housing
This is the vessel side of the equation. The housing is built from 304 stainless steel and configured as a single-bag housing with a single basket and bag support basket, making it a candidate for filtering process liquids like water, coolant, and oil. The stainless steel construction is the clear reason to choose it for industrial service. The tradeoff is that it is listed in used condition, while the cartridge set is sold new. If you're assembling or replacing an industrial bag filter station, this housing gives you the durable structure to build around.
Final choice by use case
For a residential or commercial pre-filter using a Big Blue-style cartridge system, the cartridge set is the straightforward purchase: replacement media with NSF-certified material and sediment-focused performance. For an industrial process line that needs a stainless steel bag filter vessel, the Filtra Systems housing is the component to plan around. Match the purchase to your existing or planned system, and the right side of the filtration separation decision becomes clear.
