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MidwestMan | 11-12-2009 10:01 AM
Berkey filter questions I have two questions: 1. When I attached the optional fluride removing filter, I slightly heard a cracking sound ( i immediately stopped and back it out a full turn ) . Did that action make the filter defective? 2. When I fill up the upper container, (my unit has two filters above and two fluride removing filters below) how does the water get out of the lower filters to fill up the lower tank? Since it has to go through the lower filters and don't understand how that works and a detailed explanation would be helpful. All help is appreciated.

icq182 | 11-12-2009 12:11 PM
Re: Berkey filter questions I'm not expert, so take this with a grain of salt. Firstly, you should make sure to follow the directions carefully and not twist the fluoride filters on too tight-- obviously. How could anyone here possibly tell if your filter is defective, does it look damaged? You don't know if you broke the thing and it's right in front of you, but some people who can't even see your filter are magically going to know the condition of it? Secondly, gravity does all of the work and after filling the top tank you may hear the water slowly dripping down to the bottom chamber. Of course, the more filters you put in there, the faster the water will get filtered,but two should be plenty if it's only for 1 or 2 people depending how much water you consume. Sorry I can't give you a more detailed description than this, try searching google and / or reading the directions that came with your system.

MidwestMan | 11-12-2009 02:49 PM
Re: Berkey filter questions Quote:
Originally Posted by icq182 (Post 2021867) I'm not expert, so take this with a grain of salt. Firstly, you should make sure to follow the directions carefully and not twist the fluoride filters on too tight-- obviously. How could anyone here possibly tell if your filter is defective, does it look damaged? You don't know if you broke the thing and it's right in front of you, but some people who can't even see your filter are magically going to know the condition of it? Secondly, gravity does all of the work and after filling the top tank you may hear the water slowly dripping down to the bottom chamber. Of course, the more filters you put in there, the faster the water will get filtered,but two should be plenty if it's only for 1 or 2 people depending how much water you consume. Sorry I can't give you a more detailed description than this, try searching google and / or reading the directions that came with your system.
I did read the instructions about 5 days before I actually assembled it. I had forgotton about that critical step, until it was 220 milliseconds to late. I really should direct this question to the BERKEY guy that is a member here. However, I thought others could benifit from my mistake. Getting old is so much fun. :sarc: CRS - Can't remember s CFS - Can't Find s CSS - Can't See s

State of Jefferson | 11-12-2009 05:02 PM
Re: Berkey filter questions Is there a way to test my Berkey system to make sure it is working properly? Yes. You can test the Black Berkey elements by filling the upper chamber with water, and then adding a tablespoon of food coloring for every gallon of water within your upper chamber. If the food coloring is removed entirely, your system is working properly. If not, make sure the wing nuts on the elements are securely tightened then re-run the test. http://www.berkeyfilters.com/berkeyfaqs.htm

Popps | 11-12-2009 05:11 PM
Re: Berkey filter questions Dont buy Berkeys anymore!! --- the suckers are importing their SS upper and lower chambers from India now--- thats enough for me. Buy from Doulton , same product theyre not sellouts , and you not getting it thru a middleman.

theberkeyguy | 11-13-2009 01:12 AM
Re: Berkey filter questions Popps, I am not sure you have researched this issue, and want to ask a couple questions also. The SS Upper and lower chambers are purchased through Doulton/ British Berkefeld in Europe. Where does Doulton's stainless steel come from?, I am almost certain it comes from India. Quick question, where does Doulton's Stainless Steel that you are referencing come From? (I have little doubt the stainless steel is not from India) Please provide more details on your source of information. theberkeyguy

theberkeyguy | 11-13-2009 01:18 AM
Re: Berkey filter questions Quote:
Originally Posted by MidwestMan (Post 2021580) I have two questions: 1. When I attached the optional fluride removing filter, I slightly heard a cracking sound ( i immediately stopped and back it out a full turn ) . Did that action make the filter defective? 2. When I fill up the upper container, (my unit has two filters above and two fluride removing filters below) how does the water get out of the lower filters to fill up the lower tank? Since it has to go through the lower filters and don't understand how that works and a detailed explanation would be helpful. All help is appreciated.
I will do my best to answer your questions: 1. If you filter was screwed on more than 8 turns, the filter may have broke inside. From what I have seen, the filter may need to be replaced if the flow of the water is a stream after putting water in the system. 2. The water travels through the Black Berkey elements in the top chamber, and then travels through the white PF2 fluoride filters, and then drips into the bottom chamber. The system uses gravity to move through the filters. I hope this clarifies how they both work. theberkeyguy

Popps | 11-13-2009 01:24 AM
Re: Berkey filter questions Quote:
Originally Posted by theberkeyguy (Post 2023204) Popps, I am not sure you have researched this issue, and want to ask a couple questions also. The SS Upper and lower chambers are purchased through Doulton/ British Berkefeld in Europe. Where does Doulton's stainless steel come from?, I almost certain it comes from India. Quick question, where does Doulton's Stainless Steel that you are referencing come From? (I have little doubt the stainless steel is not from India) Please provide more details on your source of information. theberkeyguy
I understand your post Sir. It wasnt a personal attack . From my sources in the prep world I hold my views . No further response from Popps.

theberkeyguy | 11-13-2009 02:28 AM
Re: Berkey filter questions Popps, I did not see it as a personal attack in any way, nor am i offended. I decided to ask those questions about the Doulton systems as a few people have been misinformed about Stainless Steel in General. I am not here to argue, just wanted to point out that the information on its face is flawed, as from my sources, Quality and affordable Stainless Steel comes from India. Stainless Steel in America is almost non-existent, Only a few companies make it here, and if they do, Berkey Systems would not be around 200-300 dollars, around triple that. Thanks for reading my responses. theberkeyguy

MidwestMan | 11-13-2009 11:05 AM
Re: Berkey filter questions Quote:
Originally Posted by theberkeyguy (Post 2023209) I will do my best to answer your questions: 1. If you filter was screwed on more than 8 turns, the filter may have broke inside. From what I have seen, the filter may need to be replaced if the flow of the water is a stream after putting water in the system. 2. The water travels through the Black Berkey elements in the top chamber, and then travels through the white PF2 fluoride filters, and then drips into the bottom chamber. The system uses gravity to move through the filters. I hope this clarifies how they both work. theberkeyguy
Thank you for the tip/info about the fluride filter check, I will test it out soon. I don't suppose if I do have a damaged filter, that BERKEY would consider replacing it due to my mis step. Regarding number 2, I was aware that gravity provided the force to make the filters work, however, since the flouride filters sit so low (in the lower tank) I wondered how the water would get through the filter when the lower water tank was over half way high on the fluoride filter or higher. I suppose the water will go out the fluride filter no matter how high the water level in the lower tank is. Hmmm... I guess I am learning some water pressure theory, I never learned before.

Ash_Williams | 11-13-2009 11:29 AM
Re: Berkey filter questions Quote:
I have two questions: 1. When I attached the optional fluride removing filter, I slightly heard a cracking sound ( i immediately stopped and back it out a full turn ) . Did that action make the filter defective?
The worst case is that you put the thread too far into the PF2 (small white fluoride filter). Is the PF2 cracked anywhere? Does the thread still hold? You're probably ok. The PF2 is just a canister filled with a packed sand-like substance, so there are really no internal parts to damage. You can just damage the plastic parts on the outside that make up the casing. Your black carbon filter above will be fine either way. Also, if you do the food coloring test, do it without the PF2's installed. With the PF2s installed you can get clear water even with a defective carbon filter, since the coloring will just be used up dying the material in the PF2. Quote:
2. When I fill up the upper container, (my unit has two filters above and two fluride removing filters below) how does the water get out of the lower filters to fill up the lower tank? Since it has to go through the lower filters and don't understand how that works and a detailed explanation would be helpful.
The black carbon filters have about 3/4" of the carbon material around a hollow core. The water soaks through this, while anything large (grit, bacteria) is trapped on the other side. The carbon also grabs onto most types of toxins and holds them in place. Water that makes it to the core drips down into the lower chamber. If you have the PF2s the water drips into them. If you cut one open it will be like wet sand inside. The water soaks through here and hopefully fluoride and arsenic are held by this material (it's aluminum oxide... aluminum rust, basically.) The water then drips out the bottom of the PF2s (unless you broke one... in which case it will drip out the side or top!) And yes the PF2s might be submerged but the water still wants to get from the upper tank to the lower tank, even if the path is indirect (same idea is a siphon.)

theberkeyguy | 11-13-2009 12:09 PM
Re: Berkey filter questions Quote:
Originally Posted by MidwestMan (Post 2023702) Thank you for the tip/info about the fluride filter check, I will test it out soon. I don't suppose if I do have a damaged filter, that BERKEY would consider replacing it due to my mis step. Regarding number 2, I was aware that gravity provided the force to make the filters work, however, since the flouride filters sit so low (in the lower tank) I wondered how the water would get through the filter when the lower water tank was over half way high on the fluoride filter or higher. I suppose the water will go out the fluride filter no matter how high the water level in the lower tank is. Hmmm... I guess I am learning some water pressure theory, I never learned before.
Good points about the water level going above the PF2 fluoride filters, as sometimes it will continue to go above them, though i have heard the water stopping after it gets to the level of the PF2's. If the filter is free flowing also, and not a drip, that one may need to be replaced. theberkeyguy

theberkeyguy | 11-13-2009 12:11 PM
Re: Berkey filter questions Quote:
Originally Posted by Ash_Williams (Post 2023740) The worst case is that you put the thread too far into the PF2 (small white fluoride filter). Is the PF2 cracked anywhere? Does the thread still hold? You're probably ok. The PF2 is just a canister filled with a packed sand-like substance, so there are really no internal parts to damage. You can just damage the plastic parts on the outside that make up the casing. Your black carbon filter above will be fine either way. Also, if you do the food coloring test, do it without the PF2's installed. With the PF2s installed you can get clear water even with a defective carbon filter, since the coloring will just be used up dying the material in the PF2. The black carbon filters have about 3/4" of the carbon material around a hollow core. The water soaks through this, while anything large (grit, bacteria) is trapped on the other side. The carbon also grabs onto most types of toxins and holds them in place. Water that makes it to the core drips down into the lower chamber. If you have the PF2s the water drips into them. If you cut one open it will be like wet sand inside. The water soaks through here and hopefully fluoride and arsenic are held by this material (it's aluminum oxide... aluminum rust, basically.) The water then drips out the bottom of the PF2s (unless you broke one... in which case it will drip out the side or top!) And yes the PF2s might be submerged but the water still wants to get from the upper tank to the lower tank, even if the path is indirect (same idea is a siphon.)
This info is pretty much spot on, thanks for your post. theberkeyguy

MidwestMan | 11-14-2009 10:46 AM
Re: Berkey filter questions Thank you Ash_Williams for explaining what is really going on with these filters. That was the type of information I was looking for. It all makes sense now. The big mystery to me was, what is inside those Fluriode filters, and what was potentially broken, when I heard the cracking sound. Now I understand. I now understand the water flow pressure too. Thank you again.

lessoil=+pm | 11-15-2009 05:10 AM
Re: Berkey filter questions a little offtopic. i have a katadin[camp?] filter system.. i want a backup; & may need drinking water for a dozen animals[dogs], & a dozen people. recommendations; expand using the katadin system; or get a berkey[s]? thanks.

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