I got got my Aquarain 202, is the filter element damaged?
 

This one in paritcular looks like it got a small amount of damage. Will it affect the filtration? the holes are about 1mm deep. Should I keep it or ask for an exchange? TIA

Re: I got got my Aquarain 202, is the filter element damaged?
 

Not sure. Email or call the supplier unless someone here can answer your question.

Re: I got got my Aquarain 202, is the filter element damaged?
 

I wouldn't expect to see that. Figure they might be rushing manufacturing?

Re: I got got my Aquarain 202, is the filter element damaged?
 

I emailed homestead products. They said it's not a problem because the ceramic is 3/8" thick and that little bit does not take away its filtering ability.

I did a red food coloring test with 2 other (no damage) filter elements. I saw some pink color in the filtered water. Can someone comment on what result I should expect? TIA

Re: I got got my Aquarain 202, is the filter element damaged?
 

Sounds like the making of another Berkey/Aquarain debate...

Re: I got got my Aquarain 202, is the filter element damaged?
 

Contact aquarain directly.

Tell them you are not comfortable with the filters as they shipped. I certainly would not be. (aquarain owner here).

Most likely you have a problem where the filter mounts to the tank, this is the most likely area for contamination leaks.

The line about the filter is X thick is BS, imo. The filters are made to be cleaned, and include a circumference guage to tell you when to replace.

You obviously are not getting your money's worth, even if it is 'usable' in it's current state.

Re: I got got my Aquarain 202, is the filter element damaged?
 

Thanks TechGuy. Just to clarify, do you mean the food coloring should not have gotten into the filtered water at all and that it's possibly the seal between the element and the tank that is faulty?

I can try to tighten the nut a little tighter to see what happens.

Re: I got got my Aquarain 202, is the filter element damaged?
 

I would do so more checks to see if the food coloring test is valid. The more I think about it, the less I think any gravity fed filter is going to get rid of all the food coloring.

But I would certainly demand new filters.

Re: I got got my Aquarain 202, is the filter element damaged?
 

Tempting..... but it is Easter weekend. ;-0

Re: I got got my Aquarain 202, is the filter element damaged?
 

I guess that will be answered by Aquarain's response.

If they don't stand behind their product. There is your answer.

Re: I got got my Aquarain 202, is the filter element damaged?
 

I've got a Berkey. Have 6 filters, none of them look like that.

I would be concerned, as those seem like pretty deep fissures.

Re: I got got my Aquarain 202, is the filter element damaged?
 

I got a reply back from Aquarain. They said the filter looks normal and that the food coloring is not a valid test. They also said as long as the filter passes the thickness gauge test, it's good to go. It's hard to see how deep those holes are since they're so small. What do you guys think about Aquarain now?

Re: I got got my Aquarain 202, is the filter element damaged?
 

A thickness gauge test seems obsolete if the maerial is not uniform throughout. I think I am glad I got the black berkeys.

Re: I got got my Aquarain 202, is the filter element damaged?
 

If food coloring is getting through I would want a new element. I've had food coloring go through one berkey filter (it was made around the time the warning came out that some were defective and the food coloring test would be a good check). Three other elements blocked food coloring completely. I have a handheld filter that removes food coloring.

It seems to me if the color is getting through, there is a direct (unfiltered) path for water to get through. I wouldn't trust it.

I don't agree with what they call a 'valid test'. You could drill a hole right to the center of the element and it would still pass the "thickness gauge" test.


Edit: Looked back and read over things better... So all your filters are failing the food coloring test? I don't know what to tell you in that case. Either they are all defective, or you are doing something wrong. You really need to get something to pass the test before you know. You also need to get them *all* to pass the test (or replace them) before you start trusting the filter with your life.

Re: I got got my Aquarain 202, is the filter element damaged?
 

Re: I got got my Aquarain 202, is the filter element damaged?
 

I tested 2 of the filters that did not have damages. at least 50% of the food coloring is getting through. How does Berkey block the food coloring anyway, mechanically or chemically?

Re: I got got my Aquarain 202, is the filter element damaged?
 

Black Berkeys are the best. "End of story".

Re: I got got my Aquarain 202, is the filter element damaged?
 

I believe it is mechanical.

I don't know the ingredients of food coloring and it does seem like the dye would be very small and maybe react with the carbon rather than be blocked by the pores. However, I did the food coloring test many years ago on a handheld filter that was ceramic-only (no activated carbon) and that took out the color too, so I'm leaning towards it being a mechanical blockage.

If 50% is getting through then I think you definitely want to take a closer look at how you have them installed. Even with the one Berkey filter that I considered defective, I only saw a hint of the color getting through. 10% if I had to estimate.

My gut tells me there's something else going on here. I never tried an Aquarain but there's no shortage of people saying good things about them and I can't believe they'd send out a bunch of crap filters in a row. We could be blowing this all out of proportion, but if it were me I'd want to know for damn sure that the things are working before I filtered any questionable water with them.

You might want to try another color for an experiment. I've always used green and blue because they tint the water very dark, and my filters have always blocked green and blue. I've never tried red. Perhaps there's something special about red (ie. the dye is smaller) that lets it pass through.

Re: I got got my Aquarain 202, is the filter element damaged?
 

I have double and triple checked for possible leaks around the seal between the filter and the tank. Can anyone else on this board with an Aquarain do a food coloring test?

Re: I got got my Aquarain 202, is the filter element damaged?
 

i have a new in the box aquarain for emergencys......if someone knows a good test i would also like to know

Re: I got got my Aquarain 202, is the filter element damaged?
 

TTAZZMAN maybe you could try the food coloring test and let us know if the color makes it through. I really don't think it should.

These two quotes are about Berkeys.
The food coloring test works for the big Katadyn filters too (this according to a friend who has one... I never took mine out of the box.)

My handheld is an MSR and it removes the dye. I said before it is just ceramic, but now that I think back I'm not sure. It may have a carbon component.

I just can't believe two of the big players (and the handheld) take out the dye, but a third doesn't. We will have to wait for someone else's results to know for sure...

Re: I got got my Aquarain 202, is the filter element damaged?
 

Re: I got got my Aquarain 202, is the filter element damaged?
 

I avoided the "fight of the century" & went with a Monolithic ceramic filter. Two complete sets, with spigot valve, for ~$56 delivered.

http://shop.monolithic.com/products/...ic-drip-filter

No, I haven't tried it with red, blue, pink, green, or yellow food coloring. I'm not worried about drinking food coloring in the creek water I'd be filtering.

Re: I got got my Aquarain 202, is the filter element damaged?
 

I would but mine is still new in the box ...never opened..etc..easy to stack on the shelf .... mine would be used to filter spring,pond,creek,rain, etc water in a rural area so i am not concerned enough to open it etc...if things get bad it might have extra value being NEW unopened

Re: I got got my Aquarain 202, is the filter element damaged?
 

well, if this is the "official" Berkey stance on the food coloring test then I must conclude from Aquarain's response that they cannot filter as well as the Berkey's. Also, I'm kind of disappointed in their response to my damaged filter element inquiry. I wonder if I can get a refund from them directly.

Re: I got got my Aquarain 202, is the filter element damaged?
 

That is awesome! I will be ordering some of these!

Thanks for the link

Re: I got got my Aquarain 202, is the filter element damaged?
 

As I remember, when the defective Berkey filters were out there they recommended the food-coloring test, and if your filter failed you were supposed to send it back and get a new one.

It bothers me that the Aquarain will not filter the color, mostly because it leaves you without a good way to test whether an element is in properly or not. I have no idea what in nature is comparable to food coloring.. maybe there is a safety concern too, maybe not.

I wish someone would test their working Aquarain and let us know if it filters the coloring. Berkey does, Katadyn does, and my handheld MSR does.

Re: I got got my Aquarain 202, is the filter element damaged?
 

I may try to do the test this week.

Interesting that Berkey and Katadyn shows this as a valid test. If the AR fails here, and the other makers stand behind it, then I will be switching filter elements. (they are interchangable)

Re: I got got my Aquarain 202, is the filter element damaged?
 

Here's an update on my water filter situation. I shipped off my Aquarain for a refund. Thank you Aquarain for your 30 day return policy. At least their policy on that end was good. I also ordered a Travel Berkey with Black Berkey elements. I will do the same food coloring test and let you guys know the results.

Re: I got got my Aquarain 202, is the filter element damaged?
 

Re: I got got my Aquarain 202, is the filter element damaged?
 

The filter may have been good, but even so it is very important to feel confident in it. If it comes down to using one of these things to survive, you really don't want the added stress of wondering if it's working.

I think you'll be happy with it. Maybe a different brand would be a few bucks cheaper, or you could feel all patriotic about it, but otherwise you really can't go wrong with a Berkey. It's not a purchase that you'll regret.

Re: I got got my Aquarain 202, is the filter element damaged?
 

I've had my berky in service for several years now. I love it. To me, it is a no brainer...

Why would you NOT filter your water knowing that there is alot of garbage floating around in it.

To me, it is almost shows where ones priorities are directed. Many of my friends continue to suck down the tap water, corn syrup, and aspartame....tisk tisk

The Berky filters got my thumbs up, so I bought my parents a unit...

It sure came in handy during Katrina....to ease worries about finding drinkable water.

Re: I got got my Aquarain 202, is the filter element damaged?
 

one question for you Berkey users. Does the filtered water taste better than tap? I noticed with Aquarain that it didn't filter out the tap water taste if you know what I mean. I thought my reverse osmosis in-sink filter produced better tasting water.

Re: I got got my Aquarain 202, is the filter element damaged?
 

Im glad it worked out for you. Please do let us know how your test goes. My AR filters may end up in the trash can.

Re: I got got my Aquarain 202, is the filter element damaged?
 

Why not use them as pre-filters to extend the life of the other elements?

Re: I got got my Aquarain 202, is the filter element damaged?
 

The filtered water taste crisp and clean....no chlorine smell or taste. I also use the pf2 flouride reduction elements that attach to the bottom of the black elements.

Re: I got got my Aquarain 202, is the filter element damaged?
 

When I called aquarain to see if their filters fit the Berkey, we got into the topic of the extra PF-2 flouride filters and how they cant be used on the AR filters. The lady on the phone told me that the aquarain filters by themselves can filter out 80% of the flouride in the water, but since they have never been officailly tested they cant make that claim. If the AR filters let red food coloring through I dont see how they could have any effect on flouride.

I think i'll stick with black berkeys + the flouride filter.

Re: I got got my Aquarain 202, is the filter element damaged?
 

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-BIG-BERKEY-C...QQcmdZViewItem

seems to be a better offer than most

Re: I got got my Aquarain 202, is the filter element damaged?
 

I got my Berkey yesterday with 2 free sport bottles. Have you guys ever used those?

The important news is, my Berkey passes the red food coloring test! bancha

Re: I got got my Aquarain 202, is the filter element damaged?
 

where did you order from? do you think the water tastes any different from this device?

did you buy extra filters or the filters that filter out the arsenic/fluride?

Re: I got got my Aquarain 202, is the filter element damaged?
 

Re: I got got my Aquarain 202, is the filter element damaged?
 

I ordered from an online store called jamesfilter. They give you the option of free sport bottles, fluoride filters or something else when you order a system. I went with sport bottles because they're useful when traveling.

EDIT: I got the travel Berkey. it's big enough for 2 people.

edit 2: taste is good but I can taste a little bit of the stainless steel from the tank. Any solutions for that?

I tested the sport bottles with food coloring as well. They filtered out more than 90% of the coloring.

Re: I got got my Aquarain 202, is the filter element damaged?
 

did you all get this item too so you can see how much water is in the reservoir?
http://www.morethanalive.com/Waterview-Spigot



anyone use this stuff in the clean water section?
http://www.disasterstuff.com/store/p...55.htm#details

Re: I got got my Aquarain 202, is the filter element damaged?
 

Did you wash the unit out with soap and water prior to using? I did that and I don't have any stainless tastes...

Re: I got got my Aquarain 202, is the filter element damaged?
 

I sterilized the unit with boiling water, didn't use soap. After letting it air for a day, the taste is gone. :smile:

Re: I got got my Aquarain 202, is the filter element damaged?
 

i just got this one , i hope the price was not to high , i got the one with 4 filter for 260.00 an free shipping , i also did not know they had silver in the filters ...............http://www.gravityfilter.com/igbegrwafiwi.html

Re: I got got my Aquarain 202, is the filter element damaged?
 

I see that you got the ceramic filters. Does anyone here have experience with those?

Re: I got got my Aquarain 202, is the filter element damaged?
 

The Difference Between Black Berkeys and Ceramic Filters - A Quick History and Comparison

To understand the differences between the Super Sterasyl Ceramic filter and the Black Berkey purification element, it helps to have a brief history on the evolution of the business. Essentially, the Super Sterasyl filters are an evolution of ceramic filter technology originally discovered in 1827 by Henry Doulton in Britain. Over the years, the Doulton company made noteworthy improvements upon the ceramic filters by introducing methods for bacteria removal and self sterilization. Once these improvements were incorporated, gravity filters became heavily used by military forces, relief organizations, and missionaries who lacked access to clean water. The general public also took note and the Doulton company built it�s core business around this Super Sterysyl Ceramic filter technology. Eventually In 1985, British Berkefeld was acquired by Doulton and continues to sell these ceramic filters across the world to this day.

Through a distribution partnership with Berkefeld, the US based company New Millennium Concepts gave North American residents the opportunity to purchase the Super Sterysyl Ceramic filter product locally. New Millennium Concepts then built upon this filtration franchise by designing and creating the Black Berkey Element and expanding the lineup of Berkey housing systems and accessories. Designed over a decade ago, the Black Berkey is a proprietary combination of approximately 6 different types of media designed to take filtration to the next level. They exceed EPA log 7 ANSI / NSF protocols for filtration and thus are rated as water purifiers.

Without going into too much detail, from a filtration perspective the Black Berkey�s filter out the same chemicals and contaminants that the Super Sterasyl Filters do, but go above and beyond by removing Lead, MTBE�s, and other heavy metals. In addition, since the Black Berkey�s are water purifiers, they will filter out a contaminant like Chlorine to undetectable levels, while the ceramics will only remove > 90% of Chlorine.

The Black Berkeys and the Ceramics and basically the same in terms of life span, cleaning, price, and overall day to day use. While both filters are very durable, the ceramics have a slight edge and may benefit missionaries or those who expect to place daily physical wear and tear on the filter when breaking down the system for transport. In essence, both filters are outstanding performers with a long proven track record and tens of thousands of satisfied customers, however the Black Berkeys are more comprehensive in the array of contaminants addressed and have an advantage in their ability to remove some of these contaminants to a higher percentage.

It�s important to note that if you already own the Ceramics and are looking to address some of these missed contaminants like Lead and MTBE�s, the PF-4�s will remove this in addition to growing public concerns like Fluoride and Arsenic. Along those same lines, if you own or are considering purchasing the Black Berkeys and would like to remove Fluoride and Arsenic, choosing the PF-2�s as an add-on will accomplish this goal. To learn more about other configuration aspects of Berkey filters, please read my article, Intro to Berkey Water Filters 101.

http://www.bigberkeywaterfilters.com...nd-comparison/

Re: I got got my Aquarain 202, is the filter element damaged?
 

thanks j son learn a little every day . so do you think the price i pay for the one i got was fair

Re: I got got my Aquarain 202, is the filter element damaged?
 

price was nice...i was looking at that offer too but thought i'd go with the black filters instead.
i think the one you got is the one they bring to the third world countries so its gotta work nicely.

Re: I got got my Aquarain 202, is the filter element damaged?
 

Do note that the Black Berkey elements, IIRC, only have about a tenth of the life of the white ones. So for us, it's the White elements for well water. If TSHTF and we have to rely on pond or creek water, we'll switch to the Black ones. Mayhaps running it thru cloth or such as a pre-filter.

Re: I got got my Aquarain 202, is the filter element damaged?
 

xinkid told me he felt the berkey canister was made better than the aquarain.
Anyone else handled both for an opinion?