View Full Version : gravity water filter
hikingshoes
04-25-2011, 19:21
I have two MSR water filters,which i like, but im looking into a gravity water filter. I'd like to hear the pros/cons, plus i was wondering if anyone has ever used it as a shower too. As always look forward to your input. Thanks HS
mweinstone
04-25-2011, 22:03
gravity inline filters are the future. less parts. less stress on the parts. no pushing dirt thru membrane at high pressure causeing uneven wear. perfect solution to going to fast too complex and to wastefull. absolutly the last word in filtration in my opinion. after this, only replicators can surpass.....
I've used one on my last two section hikes and have been pretty satisfied. The one problem may be a low water source that makes it difficult to fill the bladder but fortunately I haven't had that problem yet. Mine has two four liter bladders, one for the unfiltered water and another to drain into though it seems a bit redundant. Normally l'll simply fill the bladder and filter as needed, especially if the water source is close by.
mweinstone
04-26-2011, 08:50
i watched johnney thunder drive one of those puppys down the trail,...very impressive.not as slow as folks imagine.
Two Tents
04-26-2011, 08:54
I made up the one off of the site Jason Klass has (Google his name and you should be able to find the gravity filter in his stuff). I am very happy with it. I get other chores done while the water is filtering. I agree," gravity inline filters are the future." I made a cap to cap set up so I can put a funnel type scoop on a Gator aid bottle for getting water from a low source. It all has worked very well. I sold my MSR so I'm confident this set up will work.
Harrison Bergeron
04-26-2011, 10:22
I've got a 4 liter single-bag Sawyer gravity filter, but for the AT hike, I'm thinking about leaving the bag at home and using my Camelback as the "dirty water" bag with the filter in-line on the sippy tube. Naturally, the Sawyer fittings don't fit the Camelback tubing, but I think I can rig something. It would get my water treatment plan down to 3 oz, which is probably less than aquamira.
Of course, being a hopeless gearhead, I'll probably just spend the saved weight on one of those cool foldable buckets or a camp chair or something!
I have the Sawyer bag, love it, it works, it is easy. I have the bottom third of a water bottle cut off for a dipping cup, works just fine. In really cold weather, I put the filter in a ziplock and stow it with me at night to prevent freezing.
HockeyGirl
04-26-2011, 15:20
For those of you with a Sawyer, have you gone with the bacteria or the virus filter? Which would be recommended for the AT?
I'm thinking about a four liter but not sure which one.
I currently have a four liter platy storage bag - can you give any advice on if I should buy a Sawyer with just dirty bag and filter and let clean run straight into the platy (think I could rig it to hang up?).
Or would it just be easier to go with dirty and clean bag from Sawyer? Just thinking on saving costs. :-?
Thanks for the help. :)
Two Tents
04-26-2011, 15:38
This is the one I'm talking about that's modeled after the Jason Klass idea.
www.thereadystore.com/frontier-pro-water-filter
klpicktown
04-26-2011, 15:46
Two 4L bags seems like overkill.... I have the 2L bags (sawyer) and it filtered fast enough for 5 of us to use in backcountry canada without really waiting around for clean water. But i will use a bandana around the fill hole from now on to keep the bigger floaties out
For those of you with a Sawyer, have you gone with the bacteria or the virus filter? Which would be recommended for the AT.
Viruses are veritably non existant in the water in North America.
I don't think 2 bags are necessary, especially for one person. 4 liters should be plenty for one person.
Az
hikingshoes
04-26-2011, 20:16
I made up the one off of the site Jason Klass has (Google his name and you should be able to find the gravity filter in his stuff). I am very happy with it. I get other chores done while the water is filtering. I agree," gravity inline filters are the future." I made a cap to cap set up so I can put a funnel type scoop on a Gator aid bottle for getting water from a low source. It all has worked very well. I sold my MSR so I'm confident this set up will work.
Nice website and lots of good info there. I seen a gravity filter that was made out of a wal-mart dry sack, filter, hose (tube), and a bite valve, but i can't find the website. Thanks for all the good info. and keep them coming. Thanks HS
hikingshoes
04-26-2011, 20:18
i watched johnney thunder drive one of those puppys down the trail,...very impressive.not as slow as folks imagine.
"Mr. Loop D Loop,
good music too.:banana
Liv2Ride
04-29-2011, 21:38
Nice website and lots of good info there. I seen a gravity filter that was made out of a wal-mart dry sack, filter, hose (tube), and a bite valve, but i can't find the website. Thanks for all the good info. and keep them coming. Thanks HS
http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/showpost.php?p=174954&postcount=19.
The link takes you to a thread on HammockForums. It gives instructions and the part numbers for the components to make your own gravity filter.
I made one using the instructions but changed it up a bit to fit my needs. Instead of using the Hiker Pro filter inside the bag I use a Sawyer in-line filter on the outside. On the end of the hose I use the Camelbak filter adapter to connect it directly to my Camelbak hose whenever I need to refill the bladder. There are a couple of other mods that I did also but I didn't want this response to go on and on.
Bottom-line: Make one. It's unbelievably easy, inexpensive to make, extremely handy, safe, and much lighter than any of the ready made ones on the market.
Bags4266
04-29-2011, 21:52
Link don't work for the common folk
mweinstone
04-30-2011, 04:16
i belive the reason most of us dont make more of the things we need in life is because we have low self esteme causeing us to look down on things we made and hold high stuff someone named apple or msr made cause their popular and haveing their brand name on our stuff dosnt embarass us as our own name does.
or because we dont teach each other how. ya know, folks used to make everything before dollars existed.
by executive order and by the power invested in me by the appalachian trail, i matthewski the leader of the free hikers do hearby on this day decree all hikers are ordered to dismantle the prefab filter industry overnight and recast the industry into an elements and parts only industry focused solely on providing alternative waterfilter components for self assembly and consumer design.
mweinstone
04-30-2011, 04:19
i belive that topic just took a good weinstoneing.i weinstoned that biatche.
Liv2Ride
04-30-2011, 09:55
Link don't work for the common folk
OK. For those nonmembers of HammockForums.net I copied the instructions etc., for your reading, viewing and DIY creations.
Everything needed except some rubber washers can be had from US Plastics (http://www.usplastic.com/). These parts are indistinguishable from the ones previously supplied by ULA.
1x - Female Adapter Nylon Fitting (http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?itemid=32184&catid=669&clickid=searchresults) 1/4" x 1/4" - Part # 62169
1x - Male Adapter Nylon Fitting (http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?itemid=32201&catid=669&clickid=searchresults) 1/4" x 1/4" - Part # 62174
1x - Tubing Clamp (http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?itemid=31257&catid=858&clickid=searchresults) accepts tubing up to 1/2 inch O.D. Acetal. - Part # 59200
5ft - Silicon Tubing (http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?itemid=36286&catid=799&clickid=searchresults) 1/4" ID x 3/8" OD - Part # 54033
2x - Rubber Washers 7/16" x 1" x 1/16" - obtained locally at Lowes
To keep the project as simple as possible, I decided that I would like to build the entire filter (including sack) from off-the-shelf parts, so I used the inexpensive WalMart dry bags instead of a sewn silnylon bag.
After all the parts were on hand, it was simply a matter of marking the bottom of the bag with the male nylon fitting, and using a razor to cut a hole carefully so that the fitting would *just* fit inside. I passed a lighter quickly around the hole to prevent fray, then I assembled all the parts tightly. The whole project took 5 minutes, and the only tools used were a razor blade and a lighter.
This parts arrangement is working very well... I actually made several of them, and gifted a few to fellow HF'ers... (BillyBob58, Hetairoi, IHangnBankhead) to test.
It would be a no-brainer for one of the vendors here at HF to pick this list up and make a version for sale...even one where the end-user supplies their own Katadyn cartridge. In the meantime, though...this is an easy DIY project..
-note - even though the large green bag is shown from the 3pack of bags, it actually works better to use the medium sized orange bag. Also, the entire filter with cartridge stores very nicely in the smallest bag from the 3pack...
hikingshoes
04-30-2011, 12:54
OK. For those nonmembers of HammockForums.net I copied the instructions etc., for your reading, viewing and DIY creations.
Everything needed except some rubber washers can be had from US Plastics (http://www.usplastic.com/). These parts are indistinguishable from the ones previously supplied by ULA.
1x - Female Adapter Nylon Fitting (http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?itemid=32184&catid=669&clickid=searchresults) 1/4" x 1/4" - Part # 62169
1x - Male Adapter Nylon Fitting (http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?itemid=32201&catid=669&clickid=searchresults) 1/4" x 1/4" - Part # 62174
1x - Tubing Clamp (http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?itemid=31257&catid=858&clickid=searchresults) accepts tubing up to 1/2 inch O.D. Acetal. - Part # 59200
5ft - Silicon Tubing (http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?itemid=36286&catid=799&clickid=searchresults) 1/4" ID x 3/8" OD - Part # 54033
2x - Rubber Washers 7/16" x 1" x 1/16" - obtained locally at Lowes
To keep the project as simple as possible, I decided that I would like to build the entire filter (including sack) from off-the-shelf parts, so I used the inexpensive WalMart dry bags instead of a sewn silnylon bag.
After all the parts were on hand, it was simply a matter of marking the bottom of the bag with the male nylon fitting, and using a razor to cut a hole carefully so that the fitting would *just* fit inside. I passed a lighter quickly around the hole to prevent fray, then I assembled all the parts tightly. The whole project took 5 minutes, and the only tools used were a razor blade and a lighter.
This parts arrangement is working very well... I actually made several of them, and gifted a few to fellow HF'ers... (BillyBob58, Hetairoi, IHangnBankhead) to test.
It would be a no-brainer for one of the vendors here at HF to pick this list up and make a version for sale...even one where the end-user supplies their own Katadyn cartridge. In the meantime, though...this is an easy DIY project..
-note - even though the large green bag is shown from the 3pack of bags, it actually works better to use the medium sized orange bag. Also, the entire filter with cartridge stores very nicely in the smallest bag from the 3pack...
This is it!!! Thanks for posting all the info on here. I'm a member of HF and call myself looking for them post, but i was looking in the video section. Once again thanks for the information. HS
Liv2Ride
04-30-2011, 16:17
This is it!!! Thanks for posting all the info on here. I'm a member of HF and call myself looking for them post, but i was looking in the video section. Once again thanks for the information. HS
You're welcome. Good luck on your project. As I said in my previous post I made a few changes to the one I made so mine isn't identical to the one in the instructions. But, it's probably at least 90% the same. I love it and even when the bag dies I can still reuse the pieces to make another one.
Waterbuffalo
10-03-2012, 19:45
Alright I'm interested in the gravity filter too however I have a hiking partner that brought up the thought of shallow springs how do you get your water then? Has anyone had this issue? I have used pockets of water in some places just enough to put my msr filter hose in.
cabbagehead
10-03-2012, 23:09
shallow springs how do you get your water then? .
This is done using the zip lock bag method, taking care to not agitate the dirt. It can be helpful to have a pot/bottle nearby to empty the bag into.
cabbagehead
10-03-2012, 23:12
Here's the filter I got recently. The red bag was the most important part to me. I can always replace the filter.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s26yPCD2HvQ
Alright I'm interested in the gravity filter too however I have a hiking partner that brought up the thought of shallow springs how do you get your water then? Has anyone had this issue? I have used pockets of water in some places just enough to put my msr filter hose in.
Yeah I've had to use a scoop to dump water into my dirty bag when things have been real shallow. That's the one scenario where pump filters are more convenient.
bad biscuit
10-04-2012, 13:06
I have the Sawyer 2 liter filter system. I like not having to pump - but a ziplock bag or cut off gatorade bottle will work for low flow areas. The flow is pretty quick - but not sure about taking a shower under the thing. I prefer the ziplock bag so my filter can be stored in it (in my sleeping bag) when it gets close to freezing - and it's dual use :)
I just take the dirty water bag, hose, and filter (and ziplock bag). I filter into my water container of choice. I do like the ability to carry 2 liters of water to be filtered later if the need presents itself.
It's pretty darn light, easy, and works. To the non gram weenies like myself, it's a win, win, win.... YMMV
G-FOURce
11-15-2012, 18:44
OK. For those nonmembers of HammockForums.net I copied the instructions etc., for your reading, viewing and DIY creations.
Everything needed except some rubber washers can be had from US Plastics (http://www.usplastic.com/). These parts are indistinguishable from the ones previously supplied by ULA.
1x - Female Adapter Nylon Fitting (http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?itemid=32184&catid=669&clickid=searchresults) 1/4" x 1/4" - Part # 62169
1x - Male Adapter Nylon Fitting (http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?itemid=32201&catid=669&clickid=searchresults) 1/4" x 1/4" - Part # 62174
1x - Tubing Clamp (http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?itemid=31257&catid=858&clickid=searchresults) accepts tubing up to 1/2 inch O.D. Acetal. - Part # 59200
5ft - Silicon Tubing (http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?itemid=36286&catid=799&clickid=searchresults) 1/4" ID x 3/8" OD - Part # 54033
2x - Rubber Washers 7/16" x 1" x 1/16" - obtained locally at Lowes
To keep the project as simple as possible, I decided that I would like to build the entire filter (including sack) from off-the-shelf parts, so I used the inexpensive WalMart dry bags instead of a sewn silnylon bag.
After all the parts were on hand, it was simply a matter of marking the bottom of the bag with the male nylon fitting, and using a razor to cut a hole carefully so that the fitting would *just* fit inside. I passed a lighter quickly around the hole to prevent fray, then I assembled all the parts tightly. The whole project took 5 minutes, and the only tools used were a razor blade and a lighter.
This parts arrangement is working very well... I actually made several of them, and gifted a few to fellow HF'ers... (BillyBob58, Hetairoi, IHangnBankhead) to test.
It would be a no-brainer for one of the vendors here at HF to pick this list up and make a version for sale...even one where the end-user supplies their own Katadyn cartridge. In the meantime, though...this is an easy DIY project..
-note - even though the large green bag is shown from the 3pack of bags, it actually works better to use the medium sized orange bag. Also, the entire filter with cartridge stores very nicely in the smallest bag from the 3pack...
has anyone here actually made this DIY gravity filter? if so, how durable is it? is it worth of a long, multi-day hike? i like the concept and ease-of-execution, but my concern would be how it would hold up during real use.
Odd Man Out
11-15-2012, 21:49
I have the ULA filter (now discontinued). I like the gravity idea, but the problem I had with this model was filling the bag was a pain because you had to keep the clean end of the outlet tube from getting contaminated while dipping the dirty water bag in the water source. I think a better arrangement would be to use the same design to make a water bag with an outlet tube. Then get in in-line filter to hook up to the tube. Then you can dip the water bag in the source and not worry about contaminating the outlet tube (which would be clamped off when filling). The filter and clean outlet tube never gets close to the water source so less chance of contamination.
Have used the MSR Auto Gravity filter (http://cascadedesigns.com/msr/water-treatment-and-hydration/basecamp-water-treatment-and-hydration/autoflow-gravity-filter/product) for a couple of years and love it.