I use a Hiker Pro Filter for water treatment here in Indiana and often must pump from stock ponds and/or lake Monroe, both of which are quite turbid. We use one filter for 4 people. Given the turbidity of the water, we go through paper filter elements too quickly at a cost of $40 each.

I have tried using coffee filters rubber banded to the inlet (as a prefilter), but they seem to disintigrate too quickly. Does anyone have any suggestions on keeping the silt out of the filter element?

Funny, another thread is addressing this same issue right now, as a side topic: http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?t=51868

This is one of the reasons I quit using a filter--maintaining the element. A bandanna as a prefilter and then Aquamira for the biological nasties is what I use now. Sorry I can't address your core issue.

I use a Hiker Pro Filter for water treatment here in Indiana and often must pump from stock ponds and/or lake Monroe, both of which are quite turbid. We use one filter for 4 people. Given the turbidity of the water, we go through paper filter elements too quickly at a cost of $40 each.

I have tried using coffee filters rubber banded to the inlet (as a prefilter), but they seem to disintigrate too quickly. Does anyone have any suggestions on keeping the silt out of the filter element?
how old is your filter? is it a pur hiker pro or a katadyn hiker pro? the newer katadyn filters that also interchange with the older pur filters(same thing new company)have a screen that wraps around the paper filter inside and a a net that fits over that to hold it in place then you put the outside cover back on. find the cleanest water possible to filter and try not to drag the pre filter on the bottom/or in the mud. all the replacement filters should have the screens and net included in the box with the new filter. can't say if 4 people is a overload on 1 filter or not?

Try this item (http://store.everestgear.com/eqcg9748.html)
or here (http://www.campingsurvival.com/cowabag.html)
for a coghlan water bag (http://www.backcountrygear.com/catalog/accessdetail.cfm/CO1010).
I have been using this for years (actually on my second one, lost the first one). Just let your water settle and float the inlet or acorn off the bottom of the bag and try not to shake up the debris on the bottom of the bag. I still use a coffee filter as a pre-filter and use the new filter elements with the screen. This saves my filter life as much as possible. Also never leave the element in the filter for over a day, esp. when storing long term. This will prevent mildew on the element.

BTW, I need to mention that I hang the water bag from a tree trunk or a shelter post if available. Wrap a pack strap (I carry an extra for this reason) around the post or tree and snap on a carabiner.
Then snap the water bag straps on the carabiner.

Try this item (http://store.everestgear.com/eqcg9748.html)
or here (http://www.campingsurvival.com/cowabag.html)
for a coghlan water bag (http://www.backcountrygear.com/catalog/accessdetail.cfm/CO1010).
I have been using this for years (actually on my second one, lost the first one). Just let your water settle and float the inlet or acorn off the bottom of the bag and try not to shake up the debris on the bottom of the bag. I still use a coffee filter as a pre-filter and use the new filter elements with the screen. This saves my filter life as much as possible. Also never leave the element in the filter for over a day, esp. when storing long term. This will prevent mildew on the element.
i use the coghalan water bag also when the water source is a ways off from camp.

Use a bag and stir in a teaspoon of alum, then let it set before filtering. Alum is a flocculate and the turbidity will dissipate in time.

Let it settle and filter off the top.

This is one of the reasons I quit using a filter--maintaining the element. A bandanna as a prefilter and then Aquamira for the biological nasties is what I use now.Wow. I cannot imagine using just chemicals on water from a stock pond. I know people do it, but ugh.

Replacing dirty filters is a reason I like filters. Not that I enjoy buying them, but when I toss a filter element that is black with crud and weighs a pound more than it did new, I'm glad I didn't have to swallow that crud.

Plus water from stock ponds tastes ... interesting ... when not run through a filter with charcoal.

I looked up alum and how it works, but did not find (easily) a "commerical brand". Where would one purchase such a product and under what commerical name? Thanks for the feedback.

Go to the local supermarket, look in the herb or canning section it is sold for making pickles (I think). We have a small jar of it in the cupboard right now, looks like a Frenchs herb jab.

Jar not Jab


JibJab

Another option not mentioned yet would be to get a field maintainable filter (such as a Miniworks, Sweetwater, etc.). The Hiker is susceptible to clogging when filtering dirty water because there is no way to flush it out (except for maybe pulling out the filter element and trying to wash it off). Although it adds in an extra step, the field maintainable filters come with instructions on how to clean them out in the field, and typically require periodic cleaning (per the manufacturer).

I’ve used both the Hiker and a couple of field maintainable filters, and I prefer the maintainable type. If you make cleaning it part of your daily routine (such as like at dinner time while the foods cooking) it isn’t a big deal. Usually it takes less then 10 minutes and just a little clean (filtered) water.

i thruhiked with a sweetwater, clogged all the time. i have 3 thruhikes with the hikerpro! (IMO best filter on the market!) those other two filters are field maintainable but you'll be doing it often. the hikerpro has a larger pour size. the hikerpro can filter 3-4 qts. in the same time it takes the other two filters to filter 1 qt. i love MSR products, except the mini-works(slowest filter i ever seen) opionions do vary but i have over 8,000 miles on a hiker pro with no problems! i would change out the filter just once on a thruhike. i don't know, maybe i was one of the lucky ones?

i thruhiked with a sweetwater, clogged all the time. i have 3 thruhikes with the hikerpro! (IMO best filter on the market!) yeah those other two filters are field maintainable but you'll be doing it often. and the hikerpro has a larger pour size. the hikerpro can filter 3-4 qts. in the same time it takes the other two filters to filter 1 qt. i love MSR products, except the mini-works(slowest filter i ever seen) so opionions do vary but i have over 8,000 miles on a hiker pro with no problems! i would change out the filter just once on a thruhike. i don't know, maybe i was one of the lucky ones????
Most of my experience is with the Hiker Pro and the Sweetwater. I have some second hand experience with the Miniworks, and started using a Hyperflow (which actually works now if you’ve seen my posts where I was complaining about it…I had a defective cartridge). Anyway, I agree with you in general. The Hiker Pro is a good filter, and works well in clear water sources. I have also had one clog (actually my buddy had one to and it was his) when used in a dirty source (a small muddy pool). I have never had any issues with the Sweetwater (I actually have a pre-MSR Sweetwater) clogging. And yes, the Miniworks is very slow…probably not a good choice for 4 people now that I think about it. Anyway, I was just throwing out another suggestion for the OP to consider.

wasn't trying to sound like a dick,sorry, bad habit of mine i'm told. i had one of the older sweetwater filters before msr bought them also. i liked it for the most part. 4 people using the same filter would be tough on any filter? i might suggest 1 filter for every 2 hikers? thanks Berserker

besides i've been out of the game for the last 3 yrs. or so, so what the hell do i know?

Thanks for the feedback. I think we will begin to carry a 2.5 gal water bag to allow water to settle and then pump from it. (will try the alum too) This will slow us down a bit, but we generally only use the the turbid water source one one night of a weekend hike and it is at our campsite (so speed is not so important.)

We do have one miniworks and while it is easy to clean (to get better flow), it sure does take a long time to pump a liter of water (compared to the hiker pro).

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Use a bag and stir in a teaspoon of alum, then let it set before filtering. Alum is a flocculate and the turbidity will dissipate in time.

Let it settle and filter off the top.

We always have that stuff in our cupboard. never heard of that use for it. Thanks.

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we generally only use the the turbid water source one one night of a weekend hike and it is at our campsite (so speed is not so important.)

Where in Indiana do you hike? R U referring to the Deam?

Yes, we generally hike in the Deam and nearly always have to draw water from Lake Monroe or from the little stock ponds along the trail.

We try to use stashed water at a road crossing, but almost every trip we camp along the lake on one night.

When the streams are running, they are a much better source.