Water Filters
 

There seems to be all kind of stuff to filter water but none of the things I have looked at says how often you have to change the filter, or how much water it will filter before you have to change it or anything like that.

So I was wondering if anyone knew any good ones, and if you actually know how long they normally last? I don't plan on using it everyday, just incase there is a water problem here or if TSHTF. Since I live in the desert it could be a bad thing heh. Anyway I don't want to spend that much, which is why how long they will last is important in trying to figure out the best buy.

Re: Water Filters
 

http://whollywater.com/

http://www.pure-drinking-water.com/M...ory_Code=C0002

2 grand whole house filter

ONE MILLION GALLONS

http://arbyte.us/blog_archive/2005/1...on_dollars.jpg

Re: Water Filters
 

And if I buy up all the water filter companies across the globe I could hold the world ransome for let's say ......

....... one million dollars !


.

Re: Water Filters
 

Attachment 16094

Sold at Home Depot for $24 and the replacement cartridges are $14

Linky

Re: Water Filters
 

I think he ment a water purifier instead of the discount store junk.

Re: Water Filters
 

FEATURES

Style Faucet Mount
Max. Filtered Water Flow (gpm)0.6
Filter Life 3 Months [depends on use]
Particulate Reduction Nominal 0.5 Micron
Capacity (Gals.) 200
Feed Water Pressure (psi) 30 Min. - 100 Max.Feed
Water Temperature 40-100 F
Filter CartridgeCarbon Block
Chlorine Reduction (Percent) 98%
Cysts Reduction (Percent) 99.99%
Lead Reduction (Percent) 99%
Turbidity Reduction (Percent) 99%


What is Halo's filter specs and cost?

:rolleyes: you know...what Alric requested.

Re: Water Filters
 

I use this.... it's incredible. If there is no UV as part of the filtration, I would not consider it.

http://www.ecoquestintl.com/lwmessag...3s_message.asp

Re: Water Filters
 

It's an AquaRain, four element unit, Marathon silver ceramic (viral guard), gravity fed, no pressurized water needed (works even if SHTF). Works without power, kitchen countertop unit, stainless steel construction. Provides 24 gals per day with an expected life span over 2000 gallons. That's 10 times the production of the discount store unit, and last several years compared to a few months.

The elements are the same type used in MSR Waterworks and Katadyn water purifiers, very tough units used in mountaineering and general exploration.

Cost me $199 back in 2004.


MADE IN USA

Re: Water Filters
 

Does that stuff get rid of fluoride too?

Re: Water Filters
 

Is there a system that will provide drinkable water form lets say a river or lake? Would RO do this?

Re: Water Filters
 

You're looking at it ... if I was using a known contaminated source, I'd spike it with iodine, you won't taste it after it drops tru the filter elements.

Re: Water Filters
 

Just another thought... What if you where to buy a still and distill all of your water? No filters to change, and you get pure water. All you need is a heat source. And if you are feeling especially spunky, make up a batch of vodka!

Re: Water Filters
 

I think they has a rig like that you could buy a few years ago, can't remember the name. I think you would still like to filter it afterwards.

Gets the cricket hairs out.


.

Re: Water Filters
 

Good thought on the filter... Didn't think of that. I've read online about
stills, you can make a backwoods one yourself for about 100.00 - 150.00,
or you can order a nice one for 400.00+. I really want to get the nice one,
but I don't want ATF all over me like files on sh*t either.

Re: Water Filters
 

:cool2: Dozens of brands out there.

Only a few brands pass California purifier codes.......the most rigid..

I use Aquasana.......only one I could find that removes chlorine and floride.

Most brands do not....

Very reliable.........filters fairly cheap........excellent units...

Scrounge around on ebay.......bought mine with 4 extra filters NIB for $90.00.......that was two years ago......well satisfied.

Alric: Filter change every 500 gallons.........a long time for drinking and cooking water..

Link: http://www.aquasana.com/

Re: Water Filters
 

Rat,
Where does this aquasana filter say that it removes Flouride?

I believe that only a Reverse Osmosis filter will remove Flouride from contaminated water.

Re: Water Filters
 

:wink: Aware: In the data sheet that came with the unit...

:wink: Newer models may not remove it...........don't know...

Maybe my older system and filters were different .......floride removal not a big issue .....didn't bother me.........chlorine did........

I have a State Class A DEHC water operator license( 10 years).........the chlorine is what you should worry about......if your water is treated.

We don't use floride.........never have......never will......

My district covers about 35,000 users......

Re: Water Filters
 

Do many communities return their "treated" sewer water back into the River where communities downstream then drink it?
:rolleyes:

Re: Water Filters
 

The filter I mentioned removes fluoride

it is about 800 for under counter unit

Re: Water Filters
 

So I was wondering if anyone knew any good ones, and if you actually know how long they normally last? I don't plan on using it everyday, just incase there is a water problem here or if TSHTF. Since I live in the desert it could be a bad thing heh. Anyway I don't want to spend that much, which is why how long they will last is important in trying to figure out the best buy. Alric

Re: Water Filters
 

:character Book: No !

Effluent treatment is slurry to dry............no release allowed..

Unless you want to spend an interesting time in jail while the district pays a huge EPA fine........I would not go there.....

Even if a flood overflows the effluent ponds.........got to report it and file a state environmental impact report.......even then........probably a huge fine........even if it's an act of GOD......beyond physical control.

They don't like it when that happens........plant operator goes to jail while they sort out the details.........no,I'm not kidding.

Operator is liable for all accidents........not the district....state law sucks

I'll stick with water......:D

Re: Water Filters
 

They don't separate the solids from the liquid...treat the liquid...then send the "treated" liquid down river? Where does all that liquid go if not down river? Gotta be gazillions of gallons going some place.
:yippee:

Re: Water Filters
 

:cool1: Book: Nope.............:rolleyes:

6 stage evaporation process..........constantly turning effulent over.....big pumps.........chain driven paddle system....
1st and 2nd stage spray evaporation........3 & 4 medium solids....solid waste slurry grinding.........5 & 6........heavy solids........air dry for months.......

Sod farm owners have state permit to pick up all dried solids and plow it into their sod fields........big business in my area.........thousands of acres..

We can't produce enough dry waste to satisfy them........

My district owns all the water and sewer..........controls everything...

Let my class C waste management license expire about 3 years ago......had enough of that.......

Now you know ..........hope you got a better idea where all the crap goes...:ARMS1: anywhere but in the water.........

Re: Water Filters
 

Thanks for the education [and good news] RiverRat!
:beer: <<< beer not made from up-river sewer water :smile:

Re: Water Filters
 

I think the state pumps all our treated water back into the same lake we get our drinking water from.

Re: Water Filters
 

Look into the Berkey (Berkefeld) water purifiers with the black purification elements. Top-notch purification, and each two elements will purify up to 4000 gallons of water. Shop around for the best price, though, as it varies rather widely from vendor to vendor. The store on Frugal's Forums often has the best prices (but the link was too long to copy here).

http://www.arkinstitute.com/themes/waterfilters.htm

http://www.arkinstitute.com/ReplacementFilters.htm

Re: Water Filters
 

If you're looking for temporary purification (as used for backpacking), the First Need Deluxe is one of the best. If you look at them, make sure you look at the First Need Deluxe purifier, not the First Need Microlite, which doesn't remove viruses. The filters handle about 125 gallons before requiring replacement.

If you really want to go cheap, you might also look into the Katadyn Exstream. It's basically a water bottle with a purifier unit in it. It does remove viruses. I don't know if it removes toxins. If you shop around, you can find it for about $35. Definitely read the reviews on it, though (try http://www.outdoorreview.com/ ). It doesn't function well in silty water, and the water source has to be deep enough to submerge the bottle. Lots of other little quirks, too.

Re: Water Filters
 

Supposedly the Lifestraw will cost about $2,
Will filter 185 gallons (estimated supply of 1 year for 1 person)
Effective against waterborne bacteria,
Weigh less than four oz.,
Can be worn on a string like a necklace.

http://www.lifestraw.com/en/low/specs_low.asp

Not a purifier, but when these come out I think I'll pick some up.

Re: Water Filters
 

I agree that it doesn't make sense to skimp on water filters. If you want safe drinking water, it's going to cost you. I have an MSR Sweetwater (actually, I have a couple), too. I actually like it better than my First Need because it's a bit more streamlined and easier to pack. I have a bit more confidence in the First Need, though. It is definitely a pain to carry extra filters, but it's really a necessity. I used to go down into the mountains of southern Mexico for caving expeditions, and in a land of outhouses (some positioned only about 80' uphill from the source of drinking water), the First Need was the only backpack-sized one I really felt confident in using. We did use the larger Berkey-type drip filters on larger expeditions, and they worked well, too. (I saw some friends get very sick one time using just silver for purification, however.)

Re: Water Filters
 

The First Need is the bomb as far as EPA reg purifiers go, but as a lot of folks now realize, it plugs up pretty fast.

That Miox purifier is pretty cool but batteries not included ?


.

Re: Water Filters
 

I have a travel berkey. Works really good. Also have a few extra filter elements.

http://www.berkeywater.com/start.main.html

Also have a few sport berkeys for when I need something smaller and lighter.

Re: Water Filters
 

We have a Katadyn drip water reservoir filter like a berkey. Got it at REI years ago. Saw one last week when I was in there. Real nice for at home or large base-camp type use. Dump 3 gals of water in the top and overnight it's done.

For personal filters, we have MSR's. They are high quality, mate up to a Nalgene bottle or MSR Dromedary water carrying bag and have a dealer and parts network that is unmatched.

Take every extra care to prefilter your water and you won't have to clean it very often. Always nice to have a few spare 5 gallon buckets, some toweling, cheesecloth, clean sand... Lots of ways to clean up dirty water before you run it through your filter.

Re: Water Filters
 

The science of MiOx is indisputed. Not only can you purify in a smaller, lighter package, but you can do 1l or 50gal at a pop. That's fantanstic scalability. However, you may have something to add about the salty taste it leaves in the water. If yours doesn't and you've tested the pH, maybe I'll try again.

The MSR is certainly the best thing going in conventional. However, it needs a lot of work per litre. In fairly clear water, you have to dismantle and scrub it about 2-4l, and it's not fast to pump. Mechanically, it's fine, but I wouldn't want to run a few hundred gallons through it--even with a rebuild kit (more junk to carry) you'd start scoring the inside cylinder. And how many scrubbies to you carry, and how many chances to contaminate from regular disassembly?

You could do the same thing I saw with Katadyn, hang a hose from the clean end, drop the cartridge in a bucket and let it siphon itself overnight. I don't know what the rate is, but if you were at camp, it'd probably work.

But all this is mo' money, mo' crap to buy and keep and fight over. How about this US-approved water plan:

Take 5-gal bucket, punch holes in bottom, line with cloth. Cover with clay, sand, soil. Set on top of empty bucket. Pour water in the top and let your free, reusable, invisible, not-worth-stealingable filter clean the water. You can use any container, and still have the raw materials around for other uses, say, a washing tub + a dishrag + a lime-spreader. Save your money for things that you CAN'T make at home.

BTW, this is scalable for 2-tank updraft cisterns, etc. And if you're really fussy, use pool ditimaceous earth as an even medium.

TS

Re: Water Filters
 

PS, while we're on water, you might use the wine-box liners instead of buying expensive camelback kits. Any mesh bag will hang them up fine at camp.

Free and foil-sealed. Colloidal silver to keep them clean.

(Or to purify. Any comments on the high-pro colloidal as purifier?)

TS

Re: Water Filters
 

You know thats a pretty good idea. Tons of sands just blowing around here, and the ground in most areas is all clay below the top soil. Maybe I should get just a shovel heh.

Re: Water Filters
 

If you put the right amount of clay in it, it will even filter out radioactive particles (see Cresson Kearny's Nuclear War Survival Skills for exact instructions). Does anyone know whether this filters out viruses?

Re: Water Filters
 

QWAK,Many years ago I experimented with large fresh water fish tanks,I found that the Dietom Filter was incredabl at filtering the water especialy when I did a deep gravel cleaning! The water could go from so clouded you could not see the back of the tank to cristal clear in a 55 gal tank in less than an hour and filtered to 2 microns! It kept the fish HEALTHY so I figured it would ME too! :)

I took a 350 gal. Rubber maid stock tank and hooked up a 2 hp POOL pump and Ditom FILTER. I can fill it with my WELL water that has high concentrations of Iron and has a slight film that looks lik oil when it stands for a wile. Once pumped the iron percipitates out fast as it is exposed to air. If I add a cup of clorox bleach in to the tank it turns rust color almost instently but runing the pump and filter in less than 1/2 hr the water is cristal clear filtered to 2 microns!:cheerful:

The COOL part IS I added 4 JACOSEY jets to the tank return system to best circulate the water for fastist recicling threw the filter. I built a WOOD FIRED water heater out of an old gas water heater tank and 60 foot of 9/16 copper tubing. Took a tap off of the pump out put and put it threw the water heater and I can get the 350 gal tank up to 106 in about 12 hours time.:cheerful:

It makes a mighty FINE HOT TUB SPA TOO! HE HE HE:cheerful: :wavey:

I added a 3" foam cover to insolate and also built a solar panel to heat with out the wood and using a small home circulating water pump when only heating is required.

BTW:JUNK MAIL helps HEAT MY HOT TUB! :proud: :getdown:

the DUCK

Re: Water Filters
 

A couple of years ago Emergency Essentials had a closeout sale on their AquaRain 200 model. I got it for half price...$87.50. Back then I would get on mailing/email lists and wait for things to come on sale. Now it's more of a question of availability and higher prices......

Re: Water Filters
 

What about building a homemade water distllation device
and then using a less expensive to replace filter?

You can build a still for $100 - $150 FRN's then buy some cheaper gravity
fed filters $15 - $20 FRN's. I think it will be cheaper in the long run.

http://www.moonshine-still.com/

Just my $0.02. Take it or leave it, I think I'm going to build one tho.

Re: Water Filters
 

batteries ...

Grrrrrrrrrrrrr

.

Re: Water Filters
 

Yes, clay will filter viruses. Passing something like 3' of soil is considered making absolutely pure water in the ground. The problem is really when you make a can like that, it's not that it doesn't work, but that you have no way of KNOWING that it works. They others guarantee to work (whatever that's worth) but you pay for that guarantee.

I think the high-pro ASAP colloidal would solve most problems about like MiOx and can also be made at home, but again, the problem is the TESTING, not the reality. MiOx <b>Promises</b> it works, that's all. High-pro ASAP colloidal is proven to kill dormant, encapsulated antthax (one of the toughies) on surfaces in 15min. That's some effective dope-ola, mate. I wonder if MiOx can make the same claims.

There is also that Oxy additive in the bottle, or plain old bleach. Bleach and Colloidal have multiple uses, which is nice. Bleach at least is cheap too.

For stills look for http://running_on_alcohol.tripod.com/id36.html Directions for making an ethanol still. Food or fuel grade. It would work fine for water as well and have multiple use. Hospitals have distilled water stills you can get sometimes if you want to dodge the rules, but since in the US you can legally make some 500gal/year drink and "unlimited" fuel, and no one is tracking the sale of these directions or have unusual parts to build, this should be a non-issue.

eBay has had fully contructed ethanol stills sometimes. Might want to buy the copper ahead of time though.

Solar still directions used in Africa, India, etc are available on-line and are as cheap as mil-plastic on the ground or as complex as glass and stainless acre with pump/piping system. Good for all tastes and budgets. If the sun don't shine where you are, probably you have all the water you need already.

TS

Re: Water Filters
 

Here's something interesting on the Berkey filters:

http://hostak1-passit.blogspot.com/2...arning_10.html

Re: Water Filters
 

The Marathon Elements in my AquaRain unit have a track record that's untouchable. Used in MSR Mini water works, Katadyne etc ...

http://bob-v.com/mara/technical.html





Overview | A Ceramic Filtration Primer | Manufacturing

Technical Information


Technical Specification for Marathon Ceramics Water Filters








2.7 X 10 Hi-Flow 1.9 X 10 Hi-Flow 2.7 X 10 Hi-Retention 1.9 X 10 Hi-Retention

Flow testing is done with room temperature water (approx. 20° C). Water quality and temperature dramatically effect the flow rate of water through ceramic filters. Longer ceramics and ceramics with a greater outside diameter have greater surface area which increases the flow rate of the filters. Longevity of a filter is primarily dependent on the quality of the influent water.


Hi-Flow versus Hi-Retention:
We offer ceramics with a range of pore sizes/flow rates for all your requirements. The Hi-Retention ceramic is optimized for superior microbiological performance, including bacterial retention (greater than 6 log reduction of Klebsiella terrigena at end-of-life and under worst-case conditions. The Hi-Flow ceramic has a higher flow rate (about 50% increase in flow) and is designed to remove protozoan oocysts and reduce turbidity.

Marathon Ceramics Specifications for Hi-Retention Formula:

Challenge EPA Purifier Requirements for Bacteria and Cysts New1 Cartridge End-of-Cartridge Life2
Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts >99.9% (3 log reduction) >99.9% >99.9%
Klebsiella terrigena >99.9999% (6 log reduction) >99.999999% (8.9 log) >99.9999% (6.6 log)
1 0.250 inch wall thickness, tested at 60-90 psid
2 0.150 inch wall thickness, tested at 60-90 psid

Testing Sources:
Primrose Hutton, B.Sc., Hons., M.Sc. and Jerry Ongerth, Ph.D., P.E., University of South Wales, Sydney, Australia
Debra E. Friedman, Ph.D. and Joan Rose, Ph.D., University of South Florida, Dept. of Marine Sciences, St. Petersburg, Florida, USA

Summary:
"The MiniWorks does meet the USEPA Guide and Standard Protocol requirements for bacteria and protozoa removal thus providing a significantly reduced risk of diseases from these types of organisms." Friedman and Rose.


Challenge Results
Toxicological Extraction Test All analytes evaluated were within the guidelines set forth in NSF Standard Number 42
Testing Source:
Spectrum Labs, CA

Summary:
"All analytes evaluated were within the guidelines set forth in NSF Standard Number 42." "The Marathon Ceramics Ceramic Filter Cartridge meets the requirements for compliance under NSF Standard Number 42-1997 for the toxicological extraction evaluation."


Challenge Results at End-of-Cartridge Life
Turbidity (68.8 NTU water) 0.012 NTU3
3 Average of 3 samples after 20 liters challenge water

Testing Source:
Tests conducted for the U.S. Marine Corps by Naval Facilities Engineering Service Center (NFESC), Port Hueneme, California, USA

Summary:
"All three filters tested treated 84 gallons of high turbidity feedwater without exceeding the 0.5 NTU products turbidity criteria."


Challenge EPA Purifier Requirements for Bacteria and Cysts New1 Cartridge End-of-Cartridge Life2
Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts >99.9% (3 log reduction) >99.9% >99.9%
Klebsiella terrigena >99.9999% (6 log reduction) >99.999999% (8.9 log) >99.9999% (6.6 log)
Testing Source:
Tests conducted for the U.S. Marine Corps by Jaime Naranjo, B.S., and Charles P. Gerba, Ph.D., University of Arizona, Dept of Soil, Water and Environmental Science, Tucson, Arizona, USA

Summary:
"The geometric average removal exceeded 99.9999% for the bacteria and 99.9% for the Cryptosporidium oocysts. These units would comply with the criteria guidelines for microbial removals under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Guide Standard and Protocol for Testing Microbiological Water Purifiers"


Challenge New1 Cartridge End-of-Cartridge Life2
Brevundimonas diminuta4 >99.9999% (6 log reduction) 99.99815% removal
4 Brevundimonas diminuta is the test organism for HIMA (Health Industries Manufacturing Association) test protocol for pharmaceutical grade filters used for the filtration of injectable fluids and is one-third the size of EPA test organism.

Test conditions:
Influent concentration of 105/ml at end-of-cartridge-life (minimum wall thickness) at 60-90 psid water pressure with laboratory test water.

Testing Source:
Primrose Hutton, B.Sc., Hons., M.Sc. and Jerry Ongerth, Ph.D., P.E., University of South Wales, Sydney, Australia

Summary:
"The MSR MiniWorks filter consistently removed 99.998% (approx. 5-logs) of potentially pathogenic bacteria when subjected to a rigorous test under realistic operating conditions."


Test Comparability:
In comparing test data, one should be alert to data that may not represent how the product will actually be used by the consumer throughout the entire life of the product, up to and including diminished performance at the end-of-life of the filter. The following four criteria critically impact test results:

1) Volume of challenge water tested (ie. a filter challenged with 5 liters v. 50 liters)

2) Pressure and/or flow rate of test (ie. 15 psi v. 90 psi) (ie. 0.25 GPM v. 1.0 GPM)

3) Wall thickness (ie. new ceramic product v. ceramic product abraded or cleaned to thin wall)

4) Exposure history (ie. distilled water aging v. realistic field water exposure for aging)



.

Re: Water Filters
 

Anybody use one of these?
http://www.samsclub.com/shopping/nav...=5&item=165779

Re: Water Filters
 

Thanks for the information and as you know the web has stuff supporting both sides however it appears that some research has been done to contradict what you said, can you provide some additional research and information to support the leaching statement?

http://www.steamdistiller.com/distil.htm

Re: Water Filters
 

I use a Watts R.O. system and like it. I use the R.O. water for my fish tank and my fish are good with it...I haven't lost a fish in months.

As far as comparing R.O. water to distilled....I don't know about that. R.O. water still has the full flavor that only water with minerals has...distilled taste different.

I also have the AquaRain but don't use it on a regular basis... it's part of my preps.

Re: Water Filters
 

I tend to wait for sales. I bought a MSR Miniworks for $59.95 back in 1999. Around 2001 I decided it was time for a table top unit but didn't want to spend a bundle. I put my email address on every camping/preparedness website I could find. I waited 2 years and Emmergency Essentials had a clearence sale on their AquaRain 200. I got it for $87.50.

I went with AquaRain for 3 reasons. sale price, a better filter than the competition and its made in the USA. Can't we for once buy American made?

http://www.homestead-products.com/aquarain.htm

Re: Water Filters
 

MSR Miniworks for $59.95

I saw one on O'bay for $75 including shipping. Thinking of buying one for travel (bug-out pack), its got a heck of a track record, uses silver ceramic/carbon filter like the AquaRain.



.

Re: Water Filters
 

I will reccomend the Berkey Light water filter.

http://www.berkeyfilters.com/index.html

I have a reverse osmosis $750 system attached to my water line at home but it requires water pressure. It supposedly does a great job and its the only water I drink. I don't really trust the government to filter out the water and there is trace amounts of pharmaceutical drugs in the water supply such as prozac and estrogen, no lie. This is from people urinating them into the toilet from their bodies and back into the water supply.

For emergencies, the Berkey light fits what you need. Yes, it filters out flouride, if you buy a second filter called the PF-2. The filters have a shelf life of 20 years and can filter up to 6,000 gallons of water before needing to be replaced. From what I understand, a person needs 1/2 a gallon per day on an average day. Obviously one could survive on much less. So, comfortably, you and a loved one could live on 6,000 gallons for 6,000 days. That's 16.4 years for 2 people. I didn't bother buying any replacement filters. If the SHTF, I doubt people will be living much more than 16.4 years.

The cost for it delivered to your home with the 2 additional filters that filter out flouride and heavy metals is $266. It requires no water pressure. You just pour in water in the top and wait a bit until it filters out the bottom. I only opened mine to see if all the parts where there and then put it into storage. I haven't used it yet and don't plan to unless there is an emergency. Supposedly you can put sewage water in it and it will come out potable. The manufacturer states that the cleaner water you put in, the longer the filters will last. If I had to put pond water into it, I'd filter it through some cloth first to get out the sediment.

I know some of you like Alex Jones and some don't but that really shouldn't matter regarding getting free stuff. If you tell the company that you heard about them on www.infowars.com, they will offer you a free gift of your choice: a sport bottle sized water bottle with a carbon filter or a few bottles of potassium iodide to prevent radiation poisoning of the thyroid in the event of a nuclear device going off near your home. I chose the water bottle.

This filter claims to be able to take food coloring out of water. There are a few more accessories you can buy such as a solar charged LED lighted base for the water filter, but it isn't neccessary for the operation of the device, it is merely a light source and it doubles the price. It may appeal to some people though. Good luck.

Re: Water Filters
 

I bought the British Berkey

BigBerkey with additional

Set of 4, PF-4 MTBE, Lead, Fluoride, Arsenic, Filter. For Big Berkey and SS-4 $85.00

http://www.arctic-1.com/filters.htm

works good.

Water seems to have less taste and odor. Chlorine smell is gone.

Have to lift up the top half to look into the bottom to see what the level is - other than that seems to be an excellent design

Re: Water Filters
 

I got the travel berkey and an extra set of filters just to be safe.

The travel berkey uses the same filters as the berkey lite but it is all stainless steel and half the size so I figured it would be easiler to travel with if neccesary. Using it right now and the tap water I put through it tastes much better than any bottled water I have bought.

Re: Water Filters
 

The "British Berkey" was the first water filter to use diatomous earth (a natural sedimentary material) as a filtering media, quite ingenious if you think about it. The American couterpart, Marathon elements went a step further in developing man made micro porous ceramics. Both use silver oxides to stop bio growth left by trapped pathogens.

Both are good filters but I try to buy local.

.

Re: Water Filters
 

I bought a back packers filter from REI.com--Sweetwater 2 by MSR if I remember.

Small and packable by design for the bug out bag. will filter 200 gal. Can also use the included iodine drops. Less than $100 highly portable cleans well for my needs.

About the size of a soda can with a pump handle.

E-A

Re: Water Filters
 

I have this RO system in the basement right underneath the kitchen. It is connected to the Columbus city water and feeds up to the sink and the icemaker in the freezer. It also has a 2.5 gallon pressure reservoir that is not shown.

Re: Water Filters
 

Wooly Bully likes it!
http://goldismoney.info/forums/attac...2&d=1142008691

Re: Water Filters
 

Could you tell me if you are sure it removes fluoride?I`m trying to make up my mind about what filter to buy.

Re: Water Filters
 

I think I saw this on Kook-Bomb. Some guys dogs won't drink water that was run through his Big Berkey. Straight out of the tap, they'll drink it. My AquaRain 200 is mainly for shtf but I tried it out a while back. There is a very slight metalic taste to it. Most people probably wouldn't notice it but I bet his dogs did.

Re: Water Filters
 

I don't have animals - but the water out of my big berkey has no taste, has no odor.

Perhaps the dog was reacting to the lack of something that he was used to.

There is a noticeable taste/odor to tap water compared to the water from the Big Berkey

Re: Water Filters
 

I had cats that wouldn't drink the Berkey water for the first two times I filled their bowl with it. They love it now though. They've become picky and only drink filtered or bottled water - tap water no longer appeals to them.

Berkey has an extra element that you can hook up to take out the fluoride.

I have one of those portable katydn filters (the size of a beer bottle). I don't have total confidence since I can still taste some chlorine from the tap water. I figure it's better than nothing, though, and keep it in the truck.

Re: Water Filters
 

[QUOTE=Cousi;579355]I had cats that wouldn't drink the Berkey water for the first two times I filled their bowl with it. They love it now though. They've become picky and only drink filtered or bottled water - tap water no longer appeals to them.

Yup...over time, I'm sure I would quit noticing it also....

Re: Water Filters
 

I have a berkey filter as well and the water tastes great. Better than most bottled water I have tried. One of the things I noticed was that when I refilled a bottle with it and it sat out in the sun for a few days it didn't have that musty taste I was getting with tap water. I have filled 1 L glass bottles with the water and after sitting for 3-4 months it still tastes as good as when I filled them.

Re: Water Filters
 

Looks like a berkey with an additional fluoride filter is the best deal,especially for STHF when there is no pressure for regular tap filters or heat for distilling.

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If I were to do it over again, I'd order the filter elements and the fluoride pf2 things, then just build the rest of the filter. You're paying a lot for a stainless steel cylinder (more as the size of the cylinder goes up), and it's really not cut out to give the best flow rate. It looks pretty nice though, so if you want something to sit in your kitchen that the wife won't bitch about, maybe it's better to order everything.

Re: Water Filters
 

The Berkey is overpriced compared to the AquaRain that does exactly the same thing.

But of course, Alex Jones does not endorse the American product.



h

Re: Water Filters
 

My memory isn't what it used to be, and frankly I don't wanna go thru the hassle of verifying what I recall - but IIRC, I went the Berkey because of the additional filtration that is available - the additional filters that go down in the bottom -

IIRC, the AquaRain filters and selection do not remove Flouride, something I wanted to filter.

If you wanna filter out the fluoride, I believe that is the case

Re: Water Filters
 

I wonder how much Flouride is in creek/pond/lake/old well water ?

Cause your not going to get any from the city/county line WSHTF.


h

Re: Water Filters
 

No, but in the meantime it makes it easy to get fluoride-free water.

Some water in Ontario is up past 1ppm fluoride, straight out of the ground. Natural or contamination or both, I don't know.

Re: Water Filters
 

I recently bought two of the Katadyn Combi's.

These are now on sale with extras included!

You can use them in your kitchen sink or out of a mountain creek.

Katadyn has long been a supplier to the U.S. Armed Forces (Navy SEALS, Army Operations' Force, Marine Corps, etc.

I have been using Katadyn water filters for ten years now.

I use only the best!

http://www.nitro-pak.com/product_inf...oducts_id=1084

MLS

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Does Aquarain fit the Berkey filters?Berkey filters fluoride but I don`t see any info on aquarain filtering fluoride.

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I`ve just assembled my new Travel Berkey fit with fluoride filters,it works fine but there is slight chemical smell from the water,is it from the rubber seals?

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since the steel aquarain models are cheaper than the berkey....does anyone know if the berkey black filters fit the aquarain?
it might pay to buy the aquarain without filters and install the black berkeys.

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There was a thread here long ago where Tech guy asked the diameter of the holes in the Berkey Filter to compare to the Aquarain. I measured my Black Berkeys and I can't remember the size but I believe the end result was that the Berkey's would fit in the Aquarain or vice versa.

Re: Water Filters
 

How come nobody talks much about the gravidyn? .2 microns filter and under $200.

Re: Water Filters
 

That is correct, the standard filters should interchange.

You cannot however use the flouride filter add on in the aquarain. I think it is a clearance issue.

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I don't know. I have one, I never took it out of the box though. I think I got it from Nitro Pak since something I ordered wasn't available anymore and I had a credit. I know a guy who has used his and he likes it.

Re: Water Filters
 

So you have the gravidyn and the berkey?