Homemade "Berkey" Filter How-To
 

Saw this on another forum and had to pass it on:

http://www.alpharubicon.com/kids/hom...erkeydaire.htm

Re: Homemade "Berkey" Filter How-To
 

Thank you for sharing! It looks like a real water solution for SHTF!

Re: Homemade "Berkey" Filter How-To
 

Not much savings. A lot of effort, and questionable "food grade" character of those buckets. I'd just buy the properly made one (Berkey Light) for $199 (probably from the same vendor you bought the filters from).

Re: Homemade "Berkey" Filter How-To
 

I made one of these 2 years ago and use it full time. A Berkey that can handle 5 gallons will set you back way more than 199$. I pay 99$ and free shipping for two filters. I just recently changed the filters after at least 1000+ gallons run through it.

All you big spenders go ahead and buy the fancy one so your friends will be impressed.

Re: Homemade "Berkey" Filter How-To
 

Well bud I don't know what to tell yah but down here on EARTH, 100$ is a hell of a lot of savings. The berkey light is 200$ and you are paying 100$ for a plastic bucket.

If I were to do it again. I'd buy FOOD GRADE buckets that are readily available and do it this way.

The money saved can be used elsewhere...I've bought 2 Berkeys and in all honesty the 5gal system would be better for a SHTF senario

Re: Homemade "Berkey" Filter How-To
 

This looks like the smartest thing in the world. How easy is it to A) Repair? and B) Build another from scratch? If we're talking about shtf then food grade isn't even 100% required as you could just catch in a cup or something. Gathering containers for this style of filtration in shtf seems completely doable. The filters are the magic of Berkey and the unit is really just good form and aesthetic.

Re: Homemade "Berkey" Filter How-To
 

Its very easy to repair. The only thing that could fail is

A. The bucket gets cracked

B. The oring around the spighot could become leaky, which a lil bit of silicon would repair.

The thing is fool proof really. It doesn't get any simpler. Water>>gravity>>filter


and you are correct, the food grade really isn't a issue since the water gets used up daily anyhow.

Just don't use buckets that had chemicals in em and you will live

Re: Homemade "Berkey" Filter How-To
 

Cool, thanks!

Re: Homemade "Berkey" Filter How-To
 

That looks great! thanks for sharing. I know what my next project is gonna be.

Re: Homemade "Berkey" Filter How-To
 

Sometimes the question is rhetorical but thanks!
:shine::4_8_4v:

Re: Homemade "Berkey" Filter How-To
 

Good information for me, and probably other CA residents as well. I tried to buy a big berkey a couple of months ago but was informed that they could not ship into CA because of some idiotic state law. Has anybody else from CA run into this? Evidently berkeys don't comply with CA requirements for mountable filters (duh-they're tabletop filters!), so our paternalistic dear leaders have banned them here. I've been toying with the idea of having one shipped to relatives out of state and having them forward it, but I like this idea better.

Re: Homemade "Berkey" Filter How-To
 

WOW. Now I see why they call it commifornia. Jeeeeeeeze! People need to learn to BUTT OUT.

Re: Homemade "Berkey" Filter How-To
 

Perhaps you could invest that "savings" into mathematics lessons. It's $78 "savings" (if one does not take into account one's labor, mileage and frustrations), not "$100."

If one simply does not have the money to spend, and has all the free time in the world, then, sure, make your own, but for people with some means (98% of America, including the "poor" with cable TV), just buy the correctly-made, ready-to-use system.

Re: Homemade "Berkey" Filter How-To
 

The maniacs in Sacramento prohibit water filtration systems with more than two filter elements. So any Berkey which can accept more than two elements cannot be "legally" imported into California. There are plenty of ways around that, but most families won't need one of the larger Berkeys with 4+ elements, anyways.

Iowa, a Republican state, is even worse - no Berkeys at all (so, please, no one go on a bitchfest about "fagifornia liberals").

Re: Homemade "Berkey" Filter How-To
 

Typical stereotype...is Iowa a communist state?

I can buy most water filtration/purification systems in California, including most Berkeys and the First Need system, listed here...but Iowa prohibits them all:

http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___81252

"PLEASE NOTE: If you live in the state of Iowa, we are unable to sell you any water purification system due to Iowa Department of Public Health Restrictions. We apologize for any inconvenience."

Retardlican idiocy?

Re: Homemade "Berkey" Filter How-To
 

Thanks for the link !

I so happen to have a couple Marathon elements I scored on ebay a year ago for $50 ... just ordered a couple spigots.

This will complement my AquaRain rig.





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Re: Homemade "Berkey" Filter How-To
 

Is it the case that a couple silver rounds dropped in the clean water storage, will help keep the water free of bacteria?

Re: Homemade "Berkey" Filter How-To
 

A berkey that size will cost over $300. A savings of $200 dollars on a water container is a massive savings. (...or should I say Berkey's are a massive rip off?).

I would take 2 buckets over a berkey light anyday. I know because I bought a Berkey light and its a chinsey piece of junk. Excluding the filters it should have costed no more then $20.

Re: Homemade "Berkey" Filter How-To
 

A Berkey what size?

Re: Homemade "Berkey" Filter How-To
 

Maybe better than nothing, but probably not by much. A bit of colloidal silver would probably be a better option; I'm planning to add some to my bulk water storage when I rotate next. I don't expect that silver would kill parasites like giardia, so filtration is still a must.

Re: Homemade "Berkey" Filter How-To
 

thanks for the link GS.

Sounds like a great low-tech solution.

I might add a fitting on the top lid to allow easy refilling without having to remove the tight-fitting lid from the bucket - keep unwanted stuff from getting into the top bucket. Maybe just a 1" hole with a screw cap., Get a good-sized funnel, easily and cleanly refill this baby in no time.:applause_

Re: Homemade "Berkey" Filter How-To
 

Or if you wanted a bigger opening in the lid to refill without a funnel, there's always Gamma seal lids.

Re: Homemade "Berkey" Filter How-To
 

That's why I suggest the AquaRain, 4 elements (use only one at a time if you want) and stainless steel construction for $200.

Or jus buy the Marathon elements, U.S. made.



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Re: Homemade "Berkey" Filter How-To
 

Six gallons is what the Crown Berkey holds and it costs $317.

Re: Homemade "Berkey" Filter How-To
 

Another vote for aquarain. USA Made, very high quality, and reasonable price.

I have been VERY satisfied with mine.

Re: Homemade "Berkey" Filter How-To
 

In Googling "Marathon water filter element capacity", it seems that the Marathon elements may only be rated to filter 2000L (~500 gal) of water each, versus 2000-3000 gal each for the Berkey Black elements.

Is this correct?

Re: Homemade "Berkey" Filter How-To
 

Awesome. I shall be building one of these in the future.

Re: Homemade "Berkey" Filter How-To
 

Not exactly...

Question: How long do the filter elements last?
Answer: There are two parts to the filter elements; the ceramic shell, and the granulated carbon filling. Cleaning of the ceramic shell is what wears out the ceramic portion of the filter. Over time, particulates and bacteria clog the microscopic pores of the ceramic, slowing down the flow rate. Occasional cleaning with a small brush or the enclosed green scrub pad will restore the original flow rates. Eventually, cleaning of the ceramic will wear the walls down, making them thinner. When the attached gauge can fit over the diameter of the ceramic, you know it is time to replace the element. Our ceramic formulation is very hard and will endure many cleanings, perhaps over 200 if moderate care is taken and light pressure is used. In normal usage this equates to thousands of gallons of water that can be filtered.
The inner carbon filter works by adsorbing and/or reducing certain chemicals, and has a finite lifetime based on the concentration of the compounds being reduced. Generally speaking, the carbon capacity should exceed the life of the ceramic portion of the filter when processing water from most sources. Annual replacement of cartridges should guarantee sufficient carbon capacity for maximum protection. Please note that should the carbon become exhausted, that the elements are still fully effective for the removal of protozoic cysts and harmful bacteria, provided the remaining ceramic wall thickness still has useful life.

Re: Homemade "Berkey" Filter How-To
 

You should be able to use the berkey filters in the AR if you are so inclined.. I think I remember that they use the same size mounting hole.

Re: Homemade "Berkey" Filter How-To
 

Lets put it in perspective, we are really comparing Doulton VS Marathon ceramic elements. Original Doulton were compressed diatomous earth with a carbon core and Marathons are ceramic with a carbon core. Both have silver impregnated matrix to eliminate biogrowth and kill pathogens.

There are essentially the same thing. Both are excellent water filters except Doultons are made overseas and have to be shipped further = more expensive.




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Re: Homemade "Berkey" Filter How-To
 

My Berkey suddenly had a crack in the bottom of the receiving portion - in a place where there shouldn't be any stress - Lexan should not do that.

We were able to fix it with a little Gorilla brand super glue, but I guarantee a food grade bucket wouldn't have cracked like that.

For the kitchen counter, the Berkey would probably make the wife a little happier.

For SHTF, this looks like a great solution,

Thanks,

Re: Homemade "Berkey" Filter How-To
 

Do not waste your money on a Berkey,Berkefeld,..... you can use the same technology for pennies.Fill a bucket with DE,AND a good quality activated carbon charcoal -they all use DE but they have compressed DE to a hardened state and added charcoal.

DE is used in swimming pools for 2 micron filtration.Buy 20 lb bags for $10 last I checked. Comes in a powder,uses many, sprinkled on carpets and lawn kills most bugs, non-toxic,just do not breathe the powder.Leslies, Home Depot, or any pool supply house has it.Get chlorine in tablet form (or a gal jug of bleach-pure 5.25%)to disenfect water, DE to filter, and activated charcoal to remove all chlorine,impurities......many home made water systems available on line for pennies(dollars).The knowledge to filter your own water much more valuable than a Berkey or Berkefeld.Always keep a bag of DE, activated carbon charcoal,and chlorine or Povodone iodine (long shelf life)around for emergencies.

You can leave out the chlorine or iodine if using rain water or tap water.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diatomaceous_earth

Advanced systems you can soak activated carbon in high PPM colloidal silver, the CS is trapped in the charcoal to keep bacteria from forming in the charcoal.Activated charcoal DOES NOT disenfect water, it only filters chems, and other bad stuff.

Filter water through play sand (200 micron) gives clear water, add chlorine(or Povodine iodine), let stand, then pour through DE- charcoal layered mix. All supplies can fit in a 5 gal bucket stored in the garage or you can build one and pre-layer in a bucket.

Re: Homemade "Berkey" Filter How-To
 

They make dynamite with it too. Between that and filtering water, D.E. is one of the ultimate SHTF preps.

Re: Homemade "Berkey" Filter How-To
 

917601 - Thanks for this interesting post. Where can you buy decent quantities of activated charcoal? I'm assuming (dangerous, I know), that the final filter contains multiple layers (??how thick??) of DE & activated charcoal. Is this correct?

As to preassembling the filter (especially storing it in the garage), I'd wonder if the activated charcoal would absorb "stuff" from the air (moisture, exhaust fumes,...) & be less effective compared to a freshly opened container of the stuff.

Re: Homemade "Berkey" Filter How-To
 

DE can be dangerous if inhaled.

Also, make sure you are buying FOOD GRADE DE, NOT POOL GRADE.

There is a difference.

There was another long thread about DE in this forum. Might do some good to look it up.

As a second thought to building your own AC and DE filter...
Why take ANY shortcuts with your life? I a SHTF scenario, you want a system PROVEN to clean your water. If you want a homemade carbon system to preclean, great. then filter it thorugh a commercial filter. You filter will last much longer, and you can rest easy.

my .02, no deposit, no return....

Re: Homemade "Berkey" Filter How-To
 

Without the knowledge and ability to "make your own"-
what happens when your filter goes belly up?
Their Sterasyl filters only filter 1,000 gallons-not much in a SHTF scenario.

http://www.wtprn.com/berkeyfilters.html
"Set of 2 will typically treat 1,000 gallons of water."

Re: Homemade "Berkey" Filter How-To
 

From the Brekey website:

So Each Berkey water filter element lasts 2000 gallons, thats 4000 gallons for this Berkey Light System.


So a set of 4 (big berkey or 2 sets of filters with the light) will treat 8,000 gallons. If you supply prefiltered water, you should get more.

In a SHTF scenario, if you had a family of 4 that needed 2 gallons a day each:

2X4=8/8000=1000 days

So, sets of filters gets you 1000 days. If you can't find clean water in 1000 days, you are doing something wrong.

Re: Homemade "Berkey" Filter How-To
 

Re: Homemade "Berkey" Filter How-To
 

Hi Guys

Has anyone seen these? The filter element with a protective "sock" & spigot is only 23.50. It's a BYOB system- buy your own bucket.

http://www.monolithic.com/stories/a-...g-water-filter

Re: Homemade "Berkey" Filter How-To
 

Does anyone know the shelf life of a berkey or aquarain filter? I checked faqs at both websites. They only talk about usage life, not shelf life.

I'm thinking of stashing a few systems in strategic locations. Can I simply store everything in the shipping box? Or should the filters be removed and sealed up in a mylar bag or maybe a mason jar?

I'd like to buy a few systems with extra filters and have them last 10+ years.

Thanks!

:15_1_70v:

Re: Homemade "Berkey" Filter How-To
 

As long as they haven't been used, and are stored in an airtight container to keep out dust and to keep the charcoal from absorbing odors, it should last a VERY long time.

Re: Homemade "Berkey" Filter How-To
 

Thanks TechGuy,
Do you know if they come new in airtight containers? If so, do you think it's sufficient for long term storage? I'm thinking that I should probably only trust something that I've sealed myself.

Also, do you know if they are small enough to fit inside a 1/2 gallon mason jar?

Re: Homemade "Berkey" Filter How-To
 

When you buy a complete system the AquaRain filters arrive packed in loose bubblewrap inside the cans, inside a cardboard box. IMO you'd need to repackage them in a dry sealed container. Maybe throw in a pack of silica and replace it regularly.
They look relatively fragile (sandstone surface) too so I'd be careful how you store them so they don't get crushed or knocked around. Again this is just my opinion, please do your own due diligence.

Re: Homemade "Berkey" Filter How-To
 

Depending on the model and style the filter elements can range from 4" (portable katdayn style) to 14" (long black elements). 9" is a typical dimension. Generally, this information is available for the specific element you are procuring.

Re: Homemade "Berkey" Filter How-To
 

You will find that a beer making fermentation container has most of what you are looking for, ie 6 gal, food grade, lid with hole (add another), spigot at the bottom. Yes, it would cost more than buying the parts, but probably less likely to leak, etc.

You people who think nothing of dumping huge amounts of money into an assembly of a few bits of plastic just because it has some name brand, well, I just hope you have money to burn...

Re: Homemade "Berkey" Filter How-To
 

Berkey speaks: http://www.directive21.com/california.html