Pond Water vs Water Filters (Berkey | Alexapure | Purewell)

[@pantrypreparedness]

I made another video to test these even further with some really interesting contaminants. When you’re done with this one, check it out! kzbin.info/www/bejne/mX7JgoCGrbdkpJIsi=yJUmnnW15TjiQv2x

[@patriotares]

I have alexapure for a while. Used filter since June 1, 2024. Still working. I'm diabetic so I drink water every day . I've tested alexapure against tap water with similar test straps and it indicates that alexapure DID successfully filter fluoride. (Chlorine can be filtered by simply leaving the lid off as it will evaporate). That's why you have to continue putting Chlorine in your pools. Speaking of which.... you dipped pond water to test , just do the same except with pool water to test Chlorine filtration

[@dees2514]

Can you give names or links to the test kits used?

[@Danang1968]

Thanks for the time and effort to make this video available to us. I've been retired for quite a few years so my knowledge on this topic may be "old school" to many of you. My profession was environmental chemistry and water pollution control systems design. In all of the reviews I have read here on youtube the creator of the video focuses on the brand name of the filtration device as though it is the most important part of the testing. In most cases, the manufacturer of these filtration units simply makes two metal cans that fit together, a lid, a spigot or faucet, and fittings to attach the filter(s). The actual filters are usually made by another company and sold to the device company to be installed in their product. In many cases the actual filters are all manufactured by the same company and installed in several different brands of filtration units. That's why the same filters can usually be installed in different brands. So the "tin can" that sits on the counter and looks nice and shiny plays absolutely no part in removing contaminants from the water no mater what brand name is displayed. I'm sure many of you already know this but some of the questions and comments indicate that this is not true for everyone. 😊

[@melindamiller2804]

Could you please tell me the name of the company where I could buy just the filters, please? I am tight on money and would like to make my own water purification system using food buckets. Thank you!

[@Tad-For-Global-Peace]

Ty!

[@nicholastaylor8289]

Me too

[@melissaeggleston3632]

I just came across your response and that makes absolute sense. If one goes with the cheaper “tin can” what type of filters would you purchase to put in the canister? And do they just actually sit in the canister? Thank you hopefully you get this message.

[@msferz9177]

Hi, what water filtration system do you use? What do you think of distillation?

[@sandydegen4603]

They say to filter pond/creek/river water thru a tshirt first, get the chunks and debris out. Then thru the Berkey.

[@deltabourke1005]

Do you think it should be boiled first? Before being out into the stainless?

[@sophrosyne5900]

Can also use cheesecloth or a rice strainer

[@grantrodgers2470]

The best method is to just let it settle in a 5 gal bucket for 24 hous or so. Then pour in filter reservoir and just discard the last 3 to 4 inches at the bottom of the bucket before it goes into the filter reservoir. Time is your friend .

[@deltabourke1005]

@@grantrodgers2470 brilliant. Thanks! That’s great advice.

[@stan4d1969]

I would put some kind of cloth over the mouth of whatever container is being used. Then boil it for sure. In an emergency I then plan to run it through a pre-filter of gravel, sand, activated charcoal and 1 micron filtration paper. At that point it's probably safe to drink but then it will go through the Berkey or ZeroWater filter. I do not recommend running muddy pond water directly into a countertop gravity filter... you will drastically shorten the filter life.

[@tennray]

I like your test! I had my pond tested at the local college cost me $100 for their most thorough test. Stumbled across a good deal on the Alexapure setup you have and saw an amazing difference. My biggest worry being some of the excessive minerals sulfates, nitrite, nitrate, ecoli. Chloride dropped by 30.176 to 1.83 on scale. Ecoli went from 66 to

[@pantrypreparedness]

Nice! I thought about trying to get it tested at a lab. I’m going to try some other tests for various minerals and chlorine.

[@tractormanx5954]

Thanks for taking the time and money to run these tests, very good content 👍

[@tevman69]

Answers a lot of my questions, good job…thank you! I have the ALEXAPURE, by the way.

[@JB-dt9ef]

This is the best water filtration video I have ever seen. I have the Alexapure and love it . Thank you!

[@noyopacific]

Thanks for the video ! Good Job !!! At our cabin we drink water out of the lake after boiling for 20 minutes and then running it through a Berkey that was given to us but not with Berkey's filter cartridges. The lake water is tested periodically for about 30 different contaminants. I never thought much of Berkey's refusal to do any 3rd party testing and NSF certifications. I don't trust a business that says: "Just trust us, we wouldn't screw you."

[@MTknitter22]

Yes I agree.

[@nattamused9074]

#YoungLiving

[@Twolegger]

What are you taking about? Berkey had 3rd party testing done.

[@AnnaBananaRepublic]

Even if what you’re saying is true, why do you need consensus approval? You say you’ve tested it, right? Or did you just use it without thought?

[@noyopacific]

@@AnnaBananaRepublic "consensus" approval is not a factor. I prefer to have critical health systems evaluated by competent professionals that have no economic interest or bias in the results of their testing and evaluation. If you are content to rely on the honesty and competence of a vendors evaluation of the filters they are selling go ahead.

[@richardsmith4187]

I went with a Pro One water filter system which looks the other models you tested. Pro One has independent lab testing to back up their claims of filtration and when you read the vast listing it's a no brainer. A drip water filter system is a great item to have in reserve, just in case you need another clean water source. Great testing !!

[@Ocean_breezes]

I have a Pure One system for over a year. Love it.

[@DoyleShadduck]

Great video, I too was curious about how the Alexapure would stack up against the Berkey and the generic versions. I use a hard pump well at my cabin and currently have been using a Brita pitcher for drinking water, however the filters don’t last more than a month or so before they slow down to a crawl. Thanks for sharing your experience!

[@shanepitzer4323]

I own the Purewell model with fluoride filters and the carbon. Total of (2) fluoride and (2) black carbon. Total of 8 stages. You can choose a chemical/mineral to focus on. Check your local water to see your chlorine or Fluoride level and choose accordingly 🤓

[@Bluebird-77]

I just learned that the Berkey fluoride filter puts heavy metals back into the water just to filter out the flouride. I recently saw a video on YT so I stopped using Berkey after that. I'm not sure if the other two use the same procedure?

[@Javaman92]

I've had my Berkey for about 10 years and it is still going strong. They say that the filter is good as long as it passes water through it, and it still does. Replacing the filters has gotten so expensive that if I feel I need to replace them, I probably will go with these other brands.

[@pantrypreparedness]

It’s nice that they’re so interchangeable!

[@dianes7782]

You must do the red dye test. Water can run through but not be safe.

[@Javaman92]

@@dianes7782 even if its tap water I am putting into it?

[@soniavriesen4302]

Well done on your testing. Something to consider when looking to buy is the expense of filters and how often they should be changed. I have a Travel Berkey that gets new filters every 5 years. I am glad to see other products on the market and also to see them perform equally under basic testing. Thank you for running this comparison.

[@daliddleOne]

Great video! I’m looking forward to more! Since this one that I’m watching is four months old I’m sure you have some newer ones I’m going to look for them. I also subscribed. Thank you so much for taking the time, energy and money to do this most important video!I’m trying to decide what water system I want to buy for our home!

[@livingtx]

great test! I would love to see more tests with the water filters!

[@pantrypreparedness]

I’ll get on it! It’s going to be fun!

[@HappyLife-wv5ms]

Wondering if anyone can answer this question for me. I have been using a Berkey filter system for several years and have been happy with it. I heard about the Zero water filter and thought I would try it. Since I can put it in my fridge. It came with a testing probe that measures dissolved solids in the water. I did a test on my tap water, Berkey water and the the Zero water. Tap water registered 149, Berkey 167 and Zero was actually zero. What is the Berkey adding into the water? Now I take the Berkey water and run it through the Zero filter pitcher. I have repeated the test on several occasions and comes out the same each time.

[@domading2759]

I live on rain water and use my pond during dry times... Berkey is the only filter I trust.. They are not the same, especially the Amazon specials.. Chinese knock offs can't filter what berkey does especially over time

[@pantrypreparedness]

That’s what I’m seeing too! The Alexapure seems good too but it doesn’t look like it has the same lifespan as the Berkey.

[@DChristina]

Great to hear as I’ve purchased a Berkey during the covid just in case’, but never set it up. Think I’ll figure out the setup and get it up and running. Cheers 💕💦

[@markguice434]

Great video! Thank you for taking the time to test them!!!

[@lukelucy1980]

I forgot to thank you for your time, Great Video thank you.

[@TheRealWilsonn]

Would love to see you push these filters to the limit. Considering there price I hope they can live up to all of their claims. Thanks for the time you took making this video.

[@pantrypreparedness]

You’re welcome! Anything in particular you’d like me to test?

[@TheRealWilsonn]

@@pantrypreparedness fluoride and chlorine are often in our water supply, so maybe those two at the very least. If it were up to me I would like to know that these filters can remove everything they claim and hopefully more. It would be cool to see what minerals remain after the water is filtered too.

[@Listen2me400]

@@TheRealWilsonnYes fluoride because AlexaPure says theirs remove fluoride though Berkey does not. You have to purchase separate filters that fit in the bottom for that.

[@premadimauro2691]

⁠@@Listen2me400so with Alexaure no xtra filters are needed like the Berkey? Thanks I am in the process of choosing a filtration system. It does get very confusing

[@brendaallen4245]

Live in Arizona, extremely hard water, but with 2 black & 2 fluoride filters our Berkey has been great for the 4 years we've used it. Great video. Thanks.

[@KnowEyes]

The 2 black filters and the 2 fluoride filters lasted/worked for 4 years? I’m about to pull my hair out trying to figure this all out. 🤦‍♀️

[@sarahsaurausrex]

@@KnowEyes I've had the same berkey water filters for going on 5 years. I have 2 black filters and 2 of the fluoride filters. I am a 1 person household though... although I do give my dogs berkey water as well so in terms of water usage, I probably go through what a 2 person household would. I clean my black filters off every couple months. My berkiy takes quite a while to filter water now so I will replace soon. I should also mention that 6 months out of the year I live in a small cabin on a lake and I use lake water as my water source. So they do really work.

[@johnndavis7647]

I noticed that one unit had more than one filter cartridge in it. That will filter water faster than a unit with a single cartridge filter. If you are in a hurry then you might order a unit that takes two or more cartridges. I top my tank off in the evening so I have a full tank in the morning. Then in the morning i pour a quart in the top before I draw off a quart from the bottom. Water comes out faster from a full tank than it does when the water level starts to get low. Thanks for the video

[@JD-uy5js]

Thanks was about to buy those test kits and do this for myself. Saved me money.

[@pantrypreparedness]

Glad I could help!

[@SurvivingtheDaily]

Vwry aqesome tests! I wasnt even aware these filters existed.

[@ryanmorrissey9771]

Great job. This is how the test should be done using dirty disgusting water.

[@lindabuice1756]

What is the best home water test kit?

[@milkmandbw]

Great review. Subscribed to your channel. Would love to see you do the AquaCera cerametix gf filter in one.

[@glennnisidio2813]

Love my purewell, could not afford the Berkey, the water is fantastic!

[@Hilhub]

I’d be happy that it completely filters out all the junk in city tap water. Thanks

[@annevanderlaan6441]

Could you put in the more expensive filters in the cheapest one?

[@pantrypreparedness]

You absolutely can.

[@justtinkering6713]

Boil first, then filter.?

[@sharonmckee2403]

Thank you for this review. I’m looking at the alexapure.

[@pantrypreparedness]

I use that one every day. I think it’s a great option for the price. Berkeys are good too, just even more expensive.

[@alekswhy88]

How does this compare to the water machine?

[@davehopper1519]

Vary informative nicely done 😊

[@EliseGeiman]

Too bad you can't get the original Berkey water filters anymore. The new one is only for municipal tap water. I purchased 4 of them, so I am good for a while. I don't know if the other ones are able to kill viruses like the original Black Berkey filters.

[@Sunkissedclo]

Why can’t you get the original filters anymore?

[@EliseGeiman]

@@Sunkissedclo You can still get them until they are sold out. The EPA banned the original black filters due to using silver to kill viruses and bacteria. The EPA considers them to be a pesticide since silver is use to kill pest in other countries. They are going to be selling a new one, but it is just for municipal tap water only. I don't know why they decided to pick on Berkey only. ProOne and AlexaPure also use silver in their filters as well. So I would say stock up on some if you have been using the black Berkey filters. I been reading up on ProOne and also AlexaPure. Some people say that AlexaPure filters don't last long at all. I think they say six months at the most for some, and then have to purchase more filters. Please research.

[@jokich6379]

Wanting affordable water filtration system. Also want glysophates and other pesticides out of water. Not sure that after the first few hundred gallons if filters still filter out as well. Am still wanting other junk out of water too. Go get refills in gallon jugs. Tired of having to make trips and having lots of jugs sitting around. Thanks.

[@rnordquest]

The most affordable is free. Try grapevine, cypress, or pine branch. MIT did study with pine branch some years ago. I saw a video and the guy used pro test lab for results. Water moves through branches by osmosis and filters out most everything. His pond water was way worse than this.

[@johnprocidano3783]

Knowing it is the filters themselves that actually are important and not the container, my containers are food grade 5 gallon buckets. Therefore I only needed to buy filters. The only problem with filters is finding a company that sends items ordered to the exact address on the ordered form. Mine were sent to the wrong address. That creates a whole different problem

[@lorrainemagarian2677]

Doulton filters are the parent company of Berkey. It would be interesting to see how it works in comparison to the others in reference to pufas and other nasty chemicals.

[@northwestsparrow]

Thank you for the excellent video, this is exactly the information I needed. Subscribed! 🌺

[@pantrypreparedness]

You’re very welcome!

[@djl9154]

Besides bacteria, need to check for viruses as well. It is assumed that if you chlorinate to kill bacteria, you will kill the viruses. However, filters need to be much more dense to take out viruses than bacteria. Suggest you use UV disinfection after your filter.

[@trentonvet]

Another good video, thank you very much.

[@pantrypreparedness]

My pleasure! I'm doing some more testing on these today, so I'll share that video in just a few days.

[@AE-yt4lx]

I am curious if you can tell us what we are supposed to do with our old filters? Are they sustainable?

[@lordbentley730]

Wich on filter away medicines and plastic?

[@darmatm9416]

how long does it take to make a gallon of water.

[@loriekaczmarek9788]

Berkey most expensive because of the capacity of the black filters. Gal for gal its cheaper than the alexapure

[@pantrypreparedness]

Yeah, that’s a really good point

[@ROBSwank-pm1vd]

Great analysis n review if these products good job ! Continued Success 😎

[@BigggRoss]

I wonder of you mixed up something like kool aid and ran it through them what would happen

[@pantrypreparedness]

That's a fun idea. Berkey includes some water dye with their filter to test to make sure the filters sealed properly and it successfully removes the dye. But I'm curious about the sugar. Now I want to try it with a bunch of stuff!

[@pantrypreparedness]

Done! I made a new video that includes Kool Aid. Here it is! kzbin.info/www/bejne/mX7JgoCGrbdkpJIsi=yJUmnnW15TjiQv2x

[@milliesecond102]

GREAT VIDEO!!! I just inherited a Berkey Light and find the peiming of the black filters a pain and expensive when purchasing the flouride/arsenic filter combo. Ive beenbteyingvto find outbif the 7" Sterasyl (ceramic) filter would be easier and reduce the need of buying the traditional combo. I would greatly appreciate your advice!

[@pantrypreparedness]

I’ll look into that and see what I can find out.

[@Jasonmbartley]

Can the contaminated water dripping down the outside get through the crack where they mate and contaminate the clean water underneath?

[@heykeiffers6684]

Did you set up and run water through the filters as per the set up directions?

[@tellywoodmasti4237]

This filter can Remove fluoride from water

[@yelenasandler2358]

Absolutely great review. Thank you. I was wandering whether you had a chance to ever use Aqua Rain? I have been using Aqua Rain since 2010. Absolutely love it. However, recently my lower chamber’s rim started to give a crack. So, I bought Alexapure. It’s the same concept. Different filters, black. I still have extra ceramic tan color filters. Have not tried to use them in AlexaPure. Use the one it came with and bought 2 additional ones. But do you know how the ceramic ones compare to the black ones? I had no problems with them for 15 years. Just cleaned them regularly. Sometimes boiled them. Replaced them a few times. Many thanks in advance for your reply.

[@melindamiller2804]

Just an FYI, Berkey filters cannot be used with softened water. It damages the filters. Bummer!

[@evanh4948]

This is a great and informative video thank you so much!

[@Zebrajellyfishphoto]

Thanks for your video. It could be better, like testing VOCs. I'm going to check your channel to see if you go in depth with other tests/contaminants.

[@allyne82]

How is the purewell filtering fast? I came on KZbin to see how to know that my purewell was even filtering. I can’t hear anything and don’t see any water filtering.

[@shoreline780]

I have a Alexepure great system!!

[@2rich2Mr]

It’s the filter that makes the difference. The can that houses them is immaterial. The Berkey fluoride filters are not good. Keep in mind the ceramic filters are great too.

[@johnconni]

None of then can take the salt taste out of my water (water softener salt) here in Florida:(

[@grantrodgers2470]

You have to plumb in a water line in the main line before entering the water softener with a handy little manual valve.That way you can fill up a bucket of the stinky water or hard water and put it through the Burky system .I paid a plumber an affordable price to do it for me and my family when I lived in a place with a water softener system like that.

[@lindabuice1756]

What is the name of the bacteria test kit you used?

[@pkdude5334]

If I'm taking standing water from a pond, I'll likely add a drop of beach per gallon before filtering.

[@TASTYVENISON]

What is the test for ecoli and where can I get it?

[@nadinecarson3259]

It’s been almost a year since this video but I have The Berkey. I love the Berkey but don’t like the fact that our government got involved in stopping Berkey from producing their filters. You cant purchase anywhere unless you get a brand new Berkey. Government is in full blown over reach!

[@nadinecarson3259]

Why wouldn’t government want the American ppl to have clean drinking water? Hmmm

[@pantrypreparedness]

Why indeed…?

[@Jadapa]

Did it remove the iron red from your parents filter?

[@righteousnot1]

Kool Thanks for sharing!!

[@brandonlane1683]

Alexapure only can do 200 gallons on a filter ? And berkey is 3000 gallons ??? Huge difference and for the price berkey filters are much better. If I am seeing the info right

[@pantrypreparedness]

I had to double check that. That’s what the Berkey website says! According to even the Alexapure site their filters only have a 200 gallon lifespan. Alexapure also claims that their removes almost all chlorine but that’s not what I experienced in my test.

[@OhioInTheWild]

​​@@pantrypreparednessalexapure used to say alot more then 200 gallons but after all the lawsuits with the other company's I think they changed the Info just to play it safe!

[@chuckstenberg]

You said you decided on purchasing the Pure Well brand on the right. How did you get possession of the others for this video?

[@pantrypreparedness]

I actually purchased all of them. The one I think is best for the money of these 3 is the Alexapure. I did another test in another video and the Purewell doesn’t hold up.

[@jade.j5781]

​@@pantrypreparednessWhat is your favorite things about the Alexa Pure over the Berkey? I'm trying to decide which one to purchase

[@pantrypreparedness]

@@jade.j5781 the main thing is the price. Additionally, the Alexapure says it filters Chlorine and Fluoride with the standard black filters which Berkey doesn't. However, in my own test, the black Berkey filters and black Alexapure filters both filtered about the same amount of Chlorine and it wasn't as much as Alexapure claimed... so that's a strike against them actually. In the end, they're basically the same thing. The Alexapure does have the metal valve where Berkey comes with a plastic one. And the Alexapure is less expensive.

[@jade.j5781]

@@pantrypreparedness I ended up going with the ProOne, they all seemed so similar in so many ways. I just likes the thought of the filters being simple, no added attachments for fluoride

[@sandikobilansky8766]

Thanks for this video. I just purchased the alexapure system. I think Berkey is overrated, and they have a class action lawsuit against them now.

[@premadimauro2691]

Isn’t the most important thing to clean water the filter? If most of these filters are interchangeable why not get the most inexpensive stainless steel container you can find and put the best filter in it? Am I missing something

[@pantrypreparedness]

The main thing is that these all come with filters. So you can buy the cheap setup and the best filters but you’ll also get the cheap filters that don’t filter as much. The total cost may end up higher. That might be worth it if you decide to use the cheap filters too, but if you’re just going to throw those ones away then you won’t actually save money. But you are right, they’re all interchangeable.

[@hammerglock42]

Can I use one of these filters for my well water that I don’t treat?

[@pantrypreparedness]

Yeah, they should be able to filter your well water really well!

[@Taras-Nabad]

Dumb question, why not Britta? Seems to work on the same principle.

[@rondonovan4293]

It would be nice if you quoted prices ? , also remove sulfer and more mineral content .

[@Enjoythepour]

How many filters are you using in each water filter?

[@premadimauro2691]

Do you have an opinion as to what the best filters are

[@pantrypreparedness]

After my testing and subsequent research, the Berkey filters are the best from this test. Their lifespan is way longer than the Alexapure. I’d like to try out the Pro One filters next. I hear really good things.

[@lorimcmanus5657]

Did you ever test the pro one?

[@pantrypreparedness]

I haven’t yet. I’ll try to get some of their filters soon!

[@bparkerfool]

were the filters primed or from the sound im guessing not

[@pantrypreparedness]

Yes. The Berkey takes forever to get any flow if it’s not primed.

[@2rich2Mr]

It’s the filter that makes the difference. The can that houses them is immaterial. The Berkey fluoride filters are not good.

[@glennnisidio2813]

Smaller Filter Pore Size - The filter pore size of Purewell gravity water filter is 0.01 microns so that it can filter out 99.99% tiny materials from the water while other brands' filter pore size is only 0.2 microns. The smaller filter pore size, the higher filtering accuracy. What's more, Purewell water filter system can maintain the optimal flow rate (4 gallon/hour) while the filter pore size is smaller.

[@luzmarinabarrero5221]

I would like to have your reviews regarding the 4 Patriot water filter . I’m in the search for getting a water filter and would like to decide . Thank you !

[@pantrypreparedness]

I'll try to get a hold of one. Sometimes it's hard to justify already having these 3! I'm doing some more testing on these today though and the results are definitely more varied.

[@RudyNance]

Just saw this. Wonder why the Berkey is most expensive when it's got what looks like a cheap plastic spigot?

[@pantrypreparedness]

Yep. They’ve been making these the longest.

[@Loader7272]

ty for the time and efforts...but why would you ever add flouride?

[@pantrypreparedness]

The idea is to remove fluoride that has been added. So I would add fluoride to test how well these filter it out.

[@jasonasbell6213]

Many municipal water suppliers add Floride (an old dumb idea about preventing cavities)

[@tarody3953]

Does a Berkey filter or Alexapure pro filter fit in the Amazon Purewell housing?

[@pantrypreparedness]

Yes! They’re all interchangeable

[@fredking1782]

I like tests, especially of pond water which I might resort to. What's missing is the acid test - DRINK some!

[@eyeonart6865]

hy I quit using mine. The filter is not under the water at all times which is very bad. Going with the Epic pitcher, always under water.

[@22thinker]

Very nice job in explaining things, well done.👍

[@baref0ot455]

I watch your income school videos 😂

[@pantrypreparedness]

Cool! Welcome to my new channel

[@djl9154]

There are holding time maximums for fecal coliform, if not followed your results will be skewed.

[@davidlee8551]

Good test for bacteria. You DIDN’T Mention viruses, which of course are not usually filtered out. Thank you.

[@sandramartin2555]

Usually too small to filter

[@brandonlane1683]

I went with the berky. But im not happy with it. I flushed it and primed it. Worked for about a week. And now won't filter water again. And I primed it again and it still won't filter water. Berky is not looking good for me.

[@k.cswavo1426]

How about filter capacity on these?

[@pantrypreparedness]

I assumed they’d be similar. But I should have checked before making the video! According to Berkey, their fillers last way longer than the others. But I also know that their testing has been called into question recently so I can’t say for sure if they really do last that much longer.

[@FloridaSalon]

I saw another channel send Berkey samples to a lab. It added a bunch of aluminum even though he had flushed the filters before the test. It barely removed fluoride. Every video I see people rave about the taste of Berkey. It's frustrating.

[@pantrypreparedness]

That’s interesting. I’m looking into proper lab testing. The strips aren’t very precise.

[@Wolf9of9Odin]

I don't use fluoride filters as i don't have fluorinated water. My Berkey water does taste great.

[@FloridaSalon]

@@Wolf9of9Odin I don't know what to think. Everybody that has a Berkey says they like them.

[@tedm4932]

Very difficult to beat Alexapure , why I got one , had it for years. It's the only water I will drink. It filters actually a little more .

[@chefgav1]

If you can send it off to tap score it’s a much more intense testing

[@pantrypreparedness]

Yeah. I think it would be cool to do that. Maybe I’ll contaminate some water with several things I’d like to test for and send off the contaminated water and a sample filtered through each filter, and my countertop RO filter. I’d love to get some accurate, numerical results.

[@chefgav1]

@pantrypreparedness Just an FYI you need to prime Berry filters with 150 gallons as they leach aluminium. And you have to be careful not to overtighten and filters tend to be 1 in 4 will be faulty

[@TFRANCO101]

You NEED to pre filter the chunks and debri out as well as wiggles through at least a cheese cloth or cotton material to not clog your filters and to get maximum longevity out of you filters? I understand this is a youtube video but you should follow manufacturers recommended instructions to make it more accurate? Just a thought???

[@patrickm3807]

I suspect your results are not equal because you used four filters in the Alexapure but only used two filters in the Berkey and I could only see one in the other tank. I use the Alexapure with only two filters.

[@pantrypreparedness]

Yeah. That will only impact the time it takes to filter. Each particle of water only goes through one filter whether there are 2 or 4. If they were in line one after another then it would definitely impact the quality of the filtered water.

[@patrickm3807]

@@pantrypreparedness That makes sense; thanks.

[@PahaPoniesSpanishMustangs]

Great vid thanks

[@XWxxxxx]

Gravity filters are designed to remove certain pathogens from perfectly clear water such a mountain stream. If there is any silt in the water they will plug up and not allow water to flow through. You can scrub the cartridge, but soon you will reduce the thickness of the media and then it will not remove pathogens. YOU ABSOLUTELY MUST PRE-FILTER THE WATER UNTIL IT IS PERFECTLY CLEAR. This can be done by a combination of settling, flocculation, sand filtering, and/or common cartridge type sediment filters that are easily available. If you don't believe this, take out all but one of your ceramic cartridges, plug the other holes, add some dirty water like what you will have to use during a crisis, see how long it takes to plug up your ceramic cartridge. You will ruin one cartridge but you will know the truth! Another issue: if there is water in a ceramic cartridge, even a little, and that cartridge is allowed to freeze, a fine crack can occur that will allow pathogens through. You may not know it as you cannot see the crack. NEVER ALLOW YOU CARTRIDGES TO FREEZE!

[@GrandmomZoo]

Thank you!

[@melindamiller2804]

You keep saying bacteria. What about viruses??

[@pantrypreparedness]

Good point. Their micropores are small enough to filter out viruses too. They say 99.999% but I didn’t personally test the virus filtering.

[@michaellindauer538]

The cost isn't as important as your life in a shtf

[@roberthart9886]

SO... where ware all the biologicals and contaminants going? Aren't they staying in the media, and growing, multiplying, clogging