The 56SXT-15-CC is a 6-8 GPM backwashing whole house carbon water filter designed to improve water taste and odor at every tap while supporting steady flow for everyday household use. It pairs catalytic carbon media with an automatic Fleck 5600SXT-style digital control valve so the system can backwash on a schedule and help keep the media bed working efficiently over time. This is a strong fit for homeowners who want a whole-home improvement without frequent cartridge changes.
Choose the 56SXT-15-CC for whole-home taste and odor improvement with automatic backwashing and a digital control valve built for reliable everyday performance. Use this system when you want better shower and sink water, improved drinking and cooking water quality, and a low-touch filtration setup that is built for consistent performance.
- Ideal for a family of 4 or 5 people
- Premium catalytic coconut-shell granular activated carbon makes up the media bed in our systems. A large amount of this high-grade carbon is used to provide longer contact time and better removal rates for more difficult contaminants.
When it comes to carbon filters, bigger is better!
Carbon can reduce hundreds of chemical contaminants, but the most difficult chemicals require longer contact time for effective reduction. A larger media bed provides longer retention time between the water and the media. Larger systems do a better job of chemical contaminant removal than smaller systems. These difficult to remove chemical contaminants are also removed more effectively at low flow rates.
H2O offers many sizes of Whole House Filters. We’re happy to help you size the system for your needs, based on the size of your home and family. Beware of competitors offering “One size fits all” systems.
H2O’s whole house systems feature a large bed of premium catalytic carbon media, time-tested for years of performance. Catalytic carbon is granular activated carbon that is further processed to increase catalytic reactivity. This enhanced carbon media produces much higher chlorine capacities and much better removal rates for chloramine and hydrogen sulfide.
Top Quality Components of the 6-8 GPM Backwashing Whole House Carbon Water Filter:
- Fleck Control Valve with Stainless Steel 3/4″ Bypass Standard, 1″ also available.
- Structural Polyglass Tank
- Filtration Media: 1.5 Cu. Ft. (41 lbs.) of Catalytic Carbon
Benefits and Sizing for the 6-8 GPM Backwashing Whole House Carbon Water Filter
This system is best for households that want whole-home taste and odor improvement and a practical backwashing filter that fits typical residential flow needs.
Choose this model if you want:
- Whole-home improvement, not just one faucet
- Strong flow during daily use with routine backwashing support
- An automatic system that is easier to maintain than frequent cartridge swaps
- Better water comfort for showers, laundry, and kitchen use
Sizing guidance
- Size based on peak demand, meaning how many fixtures run at once.
- If you frequently run multiple showers, fill large tubs, or have heavy simultaneous use, you may need a higher-flow option.
Control valve highlights: what SXT offers
The Fleck SXT digital control valve is designed to make backwashing consistent and straightforward.
Buyer-friendly benefits
- Programmable scheduling so backwash cycles run automatically
- Digital controls that are easier to set and adjust than mechanical timers
- Consistent cycling to help maintain media performance and reduce channeling
- Designed for whole house backwashing filter applications
What it reduces
This system is built for whole-home filtration focused on taste, odor, and everyday water quality annoyances.
Common goals for a whole house carbon backwashing system include:
- Reducing chlorine taste and odor in city water
- Improving overall water smell and shower comfort
- Helping reduce certain chemical taste and odor issues, depending on water conditions
- Reducing sediment that can affect water clarity and fixtures, depending on upstream conditions
This is not a water softener. If your primary problem is scale, spotting, or hard-water minerals, you would typically add water softening or scale-focused treatment.
If microbial protection is needed, UV disinfection is typically added after appropriate prefiltration.
Performance and Maintenance Expectations for the 6-8 GPM Backwashing Whole House Carbon Water Filter
Backwashing carbon systems are designed for steady performance with minimal routine work.
What to expect
- Consistent flow when properly sized for your peak demand
- Automatic backwashing that helps keep the carbon bed from compacting or channeling
- Whole-home improvement in taste and odor without changing cartridges every few months
Basic maintenance
- Check the valve area and drain line periodically to confirm normal operation
- If you notice a major taste return or flow change, confirm the system is cycling properly and evaluate whether media replacement is due
- Media replacement timing varies by water conditions and usage, but many homeowners plan replacement on a multi-year timeline
Compare: 56SXT-15-CC vs. 90 CC System
Use this comparison to choose the right fit for your home’s peak demand.
| Feature | 56SXT-15-CC | 90 cc backwashing carbon system |
| Best for | Typical residential demand | Larger homes and higher peak demand |
| Flow positioning | Mid-range, everyday use | High-flow, heavy simultaneous use |
| Control style | Digital SXT scheduling | Often paired with higher-capacity valves and connections |
| When to choose | You want whole-home taste and odor improvement with standard residential flow needs | You need higher GPM for multiple bathrooms, multi-head showers, or frequent simultaneous fixture use |
If your home regularly pushes high peak flow, the larger system is the safer choice for maintaining strong flow during busy times. If your demand is typical and you want a reliable whole house carbon system, the 56SXT-15-CC is often the best balance of performance and value.
FAQs for Backwashing Whole House Carbon Water Filters
Q: Is this the same as a Fleck 5600SXT whole house system?
A: This system uses the Fleck SXT style digital control for automatic backwashing. Confirm the exact valve model and connection size listed on the product page for your installation.
Q: Is this a water softener?
A: No. This is a whole house carbon filtration system focused on taste and odor. Water softening is used for hardness minerals.
Q: Will this improve chlorine taste and odor?
A: Whole house carbon systems are commonly used for chlorine taste and odor improvement, especially for city water.
Q: Do I need a drain for backwashing?
A: Yes. Backwashing systems require a drain connection to discharge backwash water properly.
Q: Will this reduce my water pressure?
A: When properly sized, it is designed to support strong flow. Pressure issues are more likely when a system is undersized for peak demand or when plumbing restrictions are present.
Q: How do I know if I need the larger 90 cc system?
A: If you have frequent simultaneous use like multiple showers running at once, multi-head showers, or high peak demand, a higher-capacity system is often the better fit.
Whole House system assembly instructions included with this system.
