Aquarain vs. Big Berkey vs. Katadyn TRK

[backwoodsman7]

Originally Posted by Crutch

Really its none of my buisness. This isn't my site, and I am probably over stepping my bounds.

I'd say you've pretty much nailed it there. Not to mention, you've managed to alienate two new users, whom you don't know at all, in one fell swoop.

Its unfair to all the other companies, and businesses that followed the rules and had integrity enough to respect Kev and the work and money he has invested in this.

If I've violated some forum rule or policy, please point it out to me, because I missed it when I read carefully through the rules one has to read to register. If I haven't, then maybe we can stop cluttering up this thread now, OK?

If I recall correctly, there was some stuff in the rules that would relate to personal attacks. With all due respect, you might want to review those parts.

[lanahi]

Originally Posted by backwoodsman7

I'd say you've pretty much nailed it there. Not to mention, you've managed to alienate two new users, whom you don't know at all, in one fell swoop.



If I've violated some forum rule or policy, please point it out to me, because I missed it when I read carefully through the rules one has to read to register. If I haven't, then maybe we can stop cluttering up this thread now, OK?

If I recall correctly, there was some stuff in the rules that would relate to personal attacks. With all due respect, you might want to review those parts.

He didn't direct any personal attacks toward you.

[Crutch]

Originally Posted by backwoodsman7

I'd say you've pretty much nailed it there. Not to mention, you've managed to alienate two new users, whom you don't know at all, in one fell swoop.



If I've violated some forum rule or policy, please point it out to me, because I missed it when I read carefully through the rules one has to read to register. If I haven't, then maybe we can stop cluttering up this thread now, OK?

If I recall correctly, there was some stuff in the rules that would relate to personal attacks. With all due respect, you might want to review those parts.

What was the personal attack?

It doesn't matter. You stopped adding your tag line, and that was the issue.

Enjoy the site, and if you do find where I attacked you, please let me know. I still can't find it.

[woodyp]

This is one product category in which you think the manufacturers would hold themselves to a higher standard and fully and simply explain to the buying public exactly what their filters are and are not capble of minus any marketing hype.

Wait........I thought the same thing about Toyota.

[tunasi]

Is anyone familiar with the Jungle Bucket (www.junglebucket.com)? I heard some people talking about them. they said the filters don't ever have to be replaced.

[Crutch]

My wife ordered one the other day.

Thank you guys for all your help.

Btw Google has THIS site as the first link when you type in Berkey vrs Aquarain.


How awesome is that?

[empdavid]

Does Aquarain filter for fluoride? Berkey has a post filter for this. Does anyone know if the Berkey PS-2 or PS-4 are compatible with an Aquarain system?

[Crutch]

Originally Posted by empdavid

Does Aquarain filter for fluoride? Berkey has a post filter for this. Does anyone know if the Berkey PS-2 or PS-4 are compatible with an Aquarain system?

Aquarain filters all chemicals. The only thing it doesn't filter is Virus, which is killed by a UV (sun light) rays.

[empdavid]

Originally Posted by Crutch

Aquarain filters all chemicals. The only thing it doesn't filter is Virus, which is killed by a UV (sun light) rays.

This is the reply I received direct from Aquarain:

Fluoride is a difficult thing to remove from water, and gravity carbon
filter systems may not be the most efficient or effective way to do the job.
If you use a gravity water filter system that has carbon in its operation, a
more accurate word would be reduce rather than remove. Carbon is generally
not the accepted media for fluoride reduction and our unit has not been
specifically tested again fluoride to see how significant the reduction can
be. There are variables involved with certain chemicals. For example: We do
not know how much fluoride has been added to your water system; there would
be a sliding scale of effectiveness as the carbon ages, etc.

However, we know the water passes slowly through the AquaRain (which is
positive since you want the contact time to be as long as possible.) We have
found documents that say carbon will reduce fluoride enough (up to 80%) that
pro-fluoride people are alarmed and want you to add it back into your diet.
If your main concern is fluoride removal/reduction, there may be better
options out there than a gravity water filter system. (Reverse Osmosis).

Not to discount the danger of fluoride, sadly and statistically, all of the
strengths found in the AquaRain filter system...bacteria, cysts, protozoan
removal, VOC contaminants, chlorine, benzene, pharmaceutical drug removal
can be accomplished with the AquaRain but most people do not even know of
these dangers.

[MSG]

I'm surprised no one here has ever bothered testing the water that comes out of these filters. At the very least, test the total and free chlorine levels of the water if it's from a municipal source. If you have a well, you can buy comprehensive water test kits for around $14 to test for bacteria, heavy metals, etc... It's more productive than all this arguing over specs and yada yada yada.

[lanahi]

The Sawyer sounds good and does remove viruses. It doesn't say how much water you can filter through them before replacing the filter cartridge, though.
I've read in the past when looking for filters that viruses are only a danger in the warmer states, but I'd like knowing it was capable of getting the viruses out anyway.

[Crutch]

Got my aqua rain in today... its small.

Very small. Like pitcher of Ice tea, small.

[backwoodsman7]

Originally Posted by calypso

My understanding is that any filter which uses carbon is going to need to be replaced every three months, due to the properties of the carbon.

You should get a lot more than 3 months out of them. Usually you'll notice a difference in taste when the carbon is used up, which tells you it's time to change them; but that should still be into the thousands of gallons. When I was still selling Katadyn, they admitted off the record that the time recommendation (6 months at the time) was probably just so they sell more elements. If you don't need the carbon's capabilities, you can use the elements as long as the ceramic is good. I haven't seen a time recommendation from AquaRain or Fairey (manufacturer of Berkefeld & Doulton), only to change them when the taste changes if you need the carbon.

Originally Posted by empdavid

Does Aquarain filter for fluoride? Berkey has a post filter for this. Does anyone know if the Berkey PS-2 or PS-4 are compatible with an Aquarain system?

Even the best quality carbon won't reliably get fluoride. Fairey's post filters won't fit AquaRain elements; the thread is different. So if you need to get fluoride, you need a Doulton/Berkefeld with the post filters.

Originally Posted by Crutch

Got my aqua rain in today... its small.
Very small. Like pitcher of Ice tea, small.

Guess you should've got the big one, not the small one.

I sell AquaRain and Doulton (same as Berkefeld), and used to sell Katadyn, so I'm familiar with all three. (I know essentially nothing about the Black Berkey elements because I haven't been able to find out what's in them.. which in itself is enough to make me go elsewhere, which is one reason I've never pursued selling them.)

Which is better? Bottom line: They'll all do the job just fine unless you have needs beyond the basic ceramic & carbon functionality. Beyond that, Katadyn is overpriced. AquaRain has the best specs, is very well made, made in USA, uses heavier stainless steel than Doulton/Berkefeld. Doulton is significantly less expensive, especially the replacement elements, so if you're on a budget that might be the deciding factor.

Which one do I use, you ask? Well.. it's an old Berkefeld can, with one AquaRain and one Fairey Super Sterasyl element, both of which have been in use for about 5 years now.

--
homestead-products.com

[empdavid]

Originally Posted by backwoodsman7

I sell AquaRain and Doulton (same as Berkefeld), and used to sell Katadyn, so I'm familiar with all three. (I know essentially nothing about the Black Berkey elements because I haven't been able to find out what's in them.. which in itself is enough to make me go elsewhere, which is one reason I've never pursued selling them.)

Are you offering any special package deals or discounts? I think there are definitely some people here that are interested in buying. Personally, I've learned a lot from what people have written here and I'm just about ready to buy. With tax refunds (hopefully) around the corner, a discount might be mutually beneficial

[Crutch]

**deleted** Not gonna rant.

[Crutch]

Please do any advertising of goods or services through Kev. Thanks.

[empdavid]

Originally Posted by Crutch

Please do any advertising of goods or services through Kev. Thanks.

My apologies for this. I probably broke some rules here...

Let's not get too off topic on the thread.

[NortonGreg]

Wow what a wealth of knowledge here! I'm loving the comments keep them coming! I personally have purchased the royal berkey and I am anxiously awaiting its arrive! It is coming with the black berkey filters and I'll have to pick up some ceramics later on for later use.

At big berkey website they compare the black berkey elements to the super sterasyl ceramic filter.

http://www.bigberkeywaterfilters.com...ter_comparison

[lanahi]

I think I would get the Berkey for home and a different one for a BOB. The Aquarain sounds good. So does the Sawyer. I have an MSR Autoflow Gravity Microflow as well a straw filter and bottle filter that can be used on the go. The gravity flow is handy if you have set up base camp overnight...it will filter the water while you sleep or do other chores. This is the one I have:

Amazon.com: MSR AutoFlow Gravity Filter: Sports... Amazon.com: MSR AutoFlow Gravity Filter: Sports...
Amazon.com: MSR AutoFlow Gravity Filter: Sports...

I like looking at www.amazon.com for equipment or books because of the many customer's reviews for the products...these are more people who've actually used them and tell you why they did or did not like them, not just the manufacturer's hype.
Katadyn is probably the oldest and best known name in water filters. It doesn't mean they are the best now, only that they have been at it for a longer time and are still very well respected for their products. I'd never heard of a Berkey before coming onto this forum but I have always known about Katadyn from camping.
You probably can't go wrong with any filter but it's a matter of what you want them to do for you. All of them take out most bacteria, some take out chemicals and viruses too. Some can produce safe water instantly, others like the gravity flow work less quickly but require no pumping or attention at all, some are BOB type small, others work better on your kitchen counter, some are expensive, some not. They all have pros and cons. There is a whole world beyond Berkey! Look first for the type you want or what it will do, then find the best brand or model that works in doing that. I want one that takes out chemicals. You may have to have more than one filter for various situations. What may be most important is how much water it purifies or how many filter cartridges you can afford to buy, since you will need to depend on them for pure water for a long, long time.

[Dancing Bear]

To get back on track here... The instruction sheet that came w/my Big Berky, back in about 2002, had a section on boiling the filters every so often to rejuvenate the charcoal. I normally clean and boil my SS filters every 3-4 months and my family can all tell the water just tastes fresher afterward.