A fluid treatment apparatus having a longitudinal length comprising: a base portion having a length one half the longitudinal length of the fluid treatment apparatus or less, and having a first end, a second end, and at least one side having an exterior surface and an interior surface and extending between the first and second end, defining a fluid treatment media receiving volume within the base portion, wherein the first end has an inlet and an outlet for receiving and dispensing a fluid, respectively, to and from the fluid treatment media receiving volume; a medium or media spaced within the fluid treatment receiving volume, wherein the medium or media treats a fluid contacting the medium or media; and a support portion engaged with the base portion comprising: a cap; and a sidewall extending longitudinally between the second end of the base portion and the cap, wherein the sidewall has an exterior facing surface that is an extension of and at least substantially aligned with the exterior surface of the side of the base portion, characterized in that the support portion is an elongated support portion having a length one half the longitudinal length of the fluid treatment apparatus or more, the elongated support portion further comprising: a latch assembly extending from the exterior facing surface of the sidewall, wherein the latch assembly is able to detachably engage a receptor within a filter head assembly of an appliance. a base portion having a length one half the longitudinal length of the fluid treatment apparatus or less, and having a first end, a second end, and at least one side having an exterior surface and an interior surface and extending between the first and second end, defining a fluid treatment media receiving volume within the base portion, wherein the first end has an inlet and an outlet for receiving and dispensing a fluid, respectively, to and from the fluid treatment media receiving volume; a medium or media spaced within the fluid treatment receiving volume, wherein the medium or media treats a fluid contacting the medium or media; and a support portion engaged with the base portion comprising: a cap; and a sidewall extending longitudinally between the second end of the base portion and the cap, wherein the sidewall has an exterior facing surface that is an extension of and at least substantially aligned with the a cap; and a sidewall extending longitudinally between the second end of the base portion and the cap, wherein the sidewall has an exterior facing surface that is an extension of and at least substantially aligned with the exterior surface of the side of the base portion, characterized in that the support portion is an elongated support portion having a length one half the longitudinal length of the fluid treatment apparatus or more, the elongated support portion further comprising: a latch assembly extending from the exterior facing surface of the sidewall, wherein the latch assembly is able to detachably engage a receptor within a filter head assembly of an appliance. a latch assembly extending from the exterior facing surface of the sidewall, wherein the latch assembly is able to detachably engage a receptor within a filter head assembly of an appliance.