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Traditional Catholic Faith => The Catholic Bunker => Topic started by: Matthew on June 03, 2010, 10:13:22 PM

Title: Critical for survival - a water filter
Post by: Matthew on June 03, 2010, 10:13:22 PM
Title: Critical for survival - a water filter
Post by: shin on May 18, 2011, 06:09:20 PM
This is all true enough, however, when civilization breaks down, one isn't going to be going to the local hardware store to buy new filters to replace the old ones.

I'd like to hear about home made filters, and what works, and what doesn't and for how long that way.
Title: Critical for survival - a water filter
Post by: ServusSpiritusSancti on May 18, 2011, 09:16:50 PM
A well is also good to have because it's clean and free of flouride.
Title: Critical for survival - a water filter
Post by: Catholic Samurai on May 19, 2011, 12:06:39 AM
Quote from: SpiritusSanctus
A well is also good to have because it's clean and free of flouride.


It's clean provided your water table isn't polluted with other stuff.
Title: Critical for survival - a water filter
Post by: Darcy on June 10, 2011, 08:36:41 PM
And many wells need a pump---an electrical pump to get the water out.
Hand operated pumps are impossible to get to much of the clean drinkable well water.

I read this on the net probably a survival blog. I'll put it here and google some info on it later.

You can use a tshirt to strain the water through and that will trap protozoa. Then mix about a capful of bleach in a gallon of water to kill bacteria and viruses. I only worry about the bleach killing normal, good bacteria but acidophilus might help with that.
All of the above assumes you are at a base and not on the go.

I think I read it at Rawles blog.
http://www.survivalblog.com/
Title: Critical for survival - a water filter
Post by: Iuvenalis on June 12, 2011, 07:20:44 PM
Ya gotta check out the Berkeys:

http://www.directive21.com/products.html
Title: Critical for survival - a water filter
Post by: The Curt Jester on July 23, 2011, 01:22:53 PM
Quote from: Iuvenalis
Ya gotta check out the Berkeys:

http://www.directive21.com/products.html


I have a Berkey as well, soon to be upgraded with better filters.   Those things last a long time, too, without having to switch out the old ones for new ones on a constant basis.
Title: Critical for survival - a water filter
Post by: gladius_veritatis on July 23, 2011, 01:34:49 PM
Berkeys are great, but it is wise, IMO, to have a top-notch portable filter, too.  FWIW, Katadyn makes some very good ones, from basic and inexpensive to bomb-proof and more pricey.
Title: Critical for survival - a water filter
Post by: The Curt Jester on July 23, 2011, 01:46:11 PM
Quote from: gladius_veritatis
Berkeys are great, but it is wise, IMO, to have a top-notch portable filter, too.  FWIW, Katadyn makes some very good ones, from basic and inexpensive to bomb-proof and more pricey.


Berkey makes portable filters as well.
Title: Critical for survival - a water filter
Post by: gladius_veritatis on July 23, 2011, 03:31:04 PM
Well, ALL Berkeys are technically portable.  However, this...

http://www.bigberkeywaterfilters.com/categories_name-c-0/travel-berkey-p-186?zenid=1f5958e59f140880ef826f969430af52

...is not the same as this...

http://www.katadyn.com/usen/katadyn-products/products/katadynshopconnect/katadyn-water-filters-endurance-series-products/katadyn-pocket-usa/

...and if you end up having to be on the move, which is entirely possible, the latter is MUCH better to have than the former.

Is there some other Berkey product you have in mind, CJ?  I know they have some bottle thingies, but those will not be worth a darn in a serious or long-ish situation. From what I have seen, they do not make anything that is conveniently portable, for lack of a better term, in any and all scenarios.  FWIW, the Red Cross uses the Katadyn filter I linked.  It is one helluva filter, will filter 13000 gallons (give or take), and can be taken anywhere.
Title: Critical for survival - a water filter
Post by: Iuvenalis on July 23, 2011, 04:12:35 PM
Check out the link I posted. I think you will find some pretty portable Berkeys!
Title: Critical for survival - a water filter
Post by: gladius_veritatis on July 23, 2011, 04:48:44 PM
Thanks, Iuvy, although I still prefer the Katadyn Pocket...
Title: Critical for survival - a water filter
Post by: Iuvenalis on July 23, 2011, 04:57:54 PM
You've definitely got me interested! Once I'm on a computer instead of a phone I will give them a look. Been meaning to get a portable filter for bugouts.
Title: Critical for survival - a water filter
Post by: gladius_veritatis on July 23, 2011, 05:52:20 PM
The Katadyn Pocket is $300, so it is out of the price range of some people, but it is worth every penny.  Unfortunately, mine 'walked off' (long story) a few months ago, but filters like it are ideal for bug out bags, etc., and most are not nearly as expensive.
Title: Critical for survival - a water filter
Post by: parentsfortruth on July 23, 2011, 06:13:35 PM
Quote from: gladius_veritatis
Thanks, Iuvy, although I still prefer the Katadyn Pocket...


Thanks for that!

I have been wanting a Berkey for years, and that's the only one I knew of that was really good.

Now, I have another option, and it's cheaper!

 :dancing:
Title: Critical for survival - a water filter
Post by: gladius_veritatis on July 23, 2011, 06:21:38 PM
Well, don't get me wrong...Berkeys are great., as are many other similar products.  They are just not the best for every circuŠ¼stance.  FWIW, Katadyn also makes a gravity-assisted filter very similar to the kind sold by Berkey.
Title: Critical for survival - a water filter
Post by: parentsfortruth on July 23, 2011, 08:39:47 PM
Quote from: gladius_veritatis
Well, don't get me wrong...Berkeys are great., as are many other similar products.  They are just not the best for every circuŠ¼stance.  FWIW, Katadyn also makes a gravity-assisted filter very similar to the kind sold by Berkey.


That's the one I was talking about. I think I'll get one of those rather than a Berkey.
Title: Critical for survival - a water filter
Post by: rowsofvoices9 on July 24, 2011, 11:31:38 PM
Quote from: shin
This is all true enough, however, when civilization breaks down, one isn't going to be going to the local hardware store to buy new filters to replace the old ones.

I'd like to hear about home made filters, and what works, and what doesn't and for how long that way.


Berkey black water filters can be cleaned and reused over and over.
Title: Critical for survival - a water filter
Post by: SeanJohnson on July 25, 2011, 08:25:08 PM
   Since someone mentioned wells as the ideal bugout cabin solution (which it is), it thought it might be helpful to post this link to a company that installs hand pumps INSIDE your cabin.

   Get one for the kitchen sink, and one for the bathroom, and you are immune from elictric pump failure and also from carrying water.

   Mighty handy, and if you have the money for a bugout cabin, you can probably afford $1,500 for one of these...

http://www.bisonpumps.com/
Title: Critical for survival - a water filter
Post by: PAT317 on November 26, 2012, 11:56:06 AM
What's the latest and greatest advice on filters?  Berkey?  Katadyn?  

Seems like there are different options:

What's a good one to have for everyday use now?  
vs.
Best portable one for survival?

Would like feedback on both.  (Just when I'm on the verge of buying one, I see negative feedback on Amazon, and then am not sure.)  
Title: Critical for survival - a water filter
Post by: PAT317 on November 26, 2012, 12:32:15 PM
Might as well post comparison charts I come across as I look:

Gravity Water Filter/Purifier Comparison Chart (http://www.bigberkeywaterfilters.com/helpful-resources/compare?gclid=CJqRt5qg7bMCFUid4AodxEoALw)

Berkey Water Filter Comparison
 (http://www.berkeywaterfilterstore.com/berkey-water-filters.php)
(this one just compares the various Berkeys)

Still would like to hear feedback from folks who've actually used them.
Title: Critical for survival - a water filter
Post by: 1531 on November 27, 2012, 06:43:17 AM
Quote from: Darcy
And many wells need a pump---an electrical pump to get the water out.
Hand operated pumps are impossible to get to much of the clean drinkable well water.

I read this on the net probably a survival blog. I'll put it here and google some info on it later.

You can use a tshirt to strain the water through and that will trap protozoa. Then mix about a capful of bleach in a gallon of water to kill bacteria and viruses. I only worry about the bleach killing normal, good bacteria but acidophilus might help with that.
All of the above assumes you are at a base and not on the go.

I think I read it at Rawles blog.
http://www.survivalblog.com/


Yes, his excellent book "Survivors" is a novel, but a real eye-opener on what can happen when the the economies go belly up, which they will do! It's also action packed!
Title: Critical for survival - a water filter
Post by: Marlelar on November 27, 2012, 07:22:41 AM
Quote from: PAT317
Might as well post comparison charts I come across as I look:

Gravity Water Filter/Purifier Comparison Chart (http://www.bigberkeywaterfilters.com/helpful-resources/compare?gclid=CJqRt5qg7bMCFUid4AodxEoALw)

Berkey Water Filter Comparison
 (http://www.berkeywaterfilterstore.com/berkey-water-filters.php)
(this one just compares the various Berkeys)

Still would like to hear feedback from folks who've actually used them.


I am hands down a Berkey fan, we've had ours for over 14 years. We use our Big Berkey everday as our tap water has a chemical after taste.  All it takes is one of those green scrubby sponges to clean off the elements (black ones are the best) every few months.  We store extra filters also.  It takes chemicals out of city water and with added filters will remove fluoride also.  My husband has a portable filter, MSR maybe?, but I'm not sure.  He takes it hunting and likes it.

Marsha



Title: Critical for survival - a water filter
Post by: Tiffany on November 27, 2012, 08:32:30 AM
Store 2 weeks of "drinking water" in bottles or 2L before you buy a filter. In a short term emergency you will prefer drinking bottled water over filtering water from who knows where.
Title: Critical for survival - a water filter
Post by: Nadir on November 27, 2012, 08:50:25 PM
Does anybody here collect rainwater?
Title: Critical for survival - a water filter
Post by: Mabel on November 30, 2012, 02:11:22 PM
I love my Berkey and I have the ceramic filters, which just get scrubbed down twice a year. For really dirty water, they say just to put a few drops of bleach in the top chamber and you're good to go.

Also, we had some trouble with the Berkey black filters breaking after about a month of use, I don't know if this flaw has been fixed but  many other people have found the same issue.
Title: Critical for survival - a water filter
Post by: rowsofvoices9 on December 01, 2012, 12:37:36 PM
Now here's an idea.

http://www.richsoil.com/rocket-stove-mass-heater.jsp

rocket mass heaters in a nutshell:
heat your home with 80% to 90% less wood
exhaust is nearly pure steam and CO2 (a little smoke at the beginning)
the heat from one fire can last for days
you can build one in a day and half
folks have built them spending less than $20
Title: Critical for survival - a water filter
Post by: Seraphia on December 01, 2012, 03:57:46 PM
I am a serious rainwater collector for our plants/garden. My mother got me a Katadyn filter one Christmas (it wasn't cheap) for my preps and I hope next year to get a hand pump for my well.
Title: Critical for survival - a water filter
Post by: Nadir on December 01, 2012, 05:53:15 PM
Quote from: Seraphia
I am a serious rainwater collector for our plants/garden. My mother got me a Katadyn filter one Christmas (it wasn't cheap) for my preps and I hope next year to get a hand pump for my well.


At last, an answer to my question. "does anybody collect rainwater?".

Locals councils in Australia encourage rainwater tanks but always suggest rainwater be used for laundry and flushing toilets. This puzzles me. What a waste of good rainwater. But then again maybe they want people to ingest more fluoride.  :shocked:

We always drink and cook with filtered rainwater. Do you drink your rainwater, Seraphia, and is there an advantage for using rainwater, instead of tap water, on the garden; is it a matter of economy or the health of the plants?

What is "my preps"?
Title: Critical for survival - a water filter
Post by: Seraphia on December 01, 2012, 10:00:20 PM
Quote from: Nadir
Quote from: Seraphia
I am a serious rainwater collector for our plants/garden. My mother got me a Katadyn filter one Christmas (it wasn't cheap) for my preps and I hope next year to get a hand pump for my well.


At last, an answer to my question. "does anybody collect rainwater?".

Locals councils in Australia encourage rainwater tanks but always suggest rainwater be used for laundry and flushing toilets. This puzzles me. What a waste of good rainwater. But then again maybe they want people to ingest more fluoride.  :shocked:

We always drink and cook with filtered rainwater. Do you drink your rainwater, Seraphia, and is there an advantage for using rainwater, instead of tap water, on the garden; is it a matter of economy or the health of the plants?

What is "my preps"?


At this time, all of my rain barrels are used for the plants/herbs/garden. Rainwater is better for plants -- I have always been taught that rainwater is lower in acidity. If the well ever ran dry then of course I would use it much more. I live in a forest in North Carolina and have plenty of water. If I had city water, I would definitely use it for drinking, no question about that at all! But my well water is excellent.

"My preps" mean my supplies and preparations I have made in case of difficult times in the future. :)
Title: Critical for survival - a water filter
Post by: Nadir on December 01, 2012, 10:56:53 PM
Thanks, Seraphia. What a blessing to have both rainwater and a good well water.