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berkey filter purifier water
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A

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Discussion Starter · #1 ·
I want to filter water.
Been interested in the Berkey filter with black filters plus fluoride removing elements.

The cost of the guitars units is shocking. I'm seeing larger ones costing 700

Decided to diy my own units. There are videos on YouTube DIY BERKEY.

Basically involving two stainless steel 16 litre stock pots.
1. Cut out a circle on the lid of the bottom stock pot using a drill to make little holes followed by a tin snips to cut out a circle

2. Double sided sticky pads to stick the cut lid to the bottom of the top stock pot.
This now sits on the bottom stock pot. The hole allows the two berkey filters to drop into the bottom pot.

3. Make small holes in the bottom of the top pot (to put the berkey filter through.

Now water placed in the top filters through to the bottom pot.
Adding a spigot to the bottom pot is optional.

I've researched further. As I always do.
I've come across this...

The Black Berkey system is a sick joke - and one that may end up with you being sick

I've personally promoted the Black Berkey elements for years. That ended tonight. I learned a few weeks back that one of the "laboratory tests" New Millennium Concepts, Ltd., the manufacturer of the Black Berkey elements, asserts (asserted?) to be valid in supporting the Black Berkey's...
www.goldismoney2.com

Now my question...

Should I even bother using berkey filters. Is it a scam?
Should I diy or just use the actual unit.
What testing do we really have?

Is there another better filtration method?
Possibly using silver impregnated filters as the above thread suggests?
The thread mentions how they're filtering water in Africa.
What method do they actually use?
 
montana Bill

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#3 ·
Most towns of reasonable size have a water test lab. They test the quality of water in wells which is required in most places if you are buying a house with a well. Also most restaurants have to have their water checked. Reasonable price just pick up a sample jar from them and take it back with your water sample and pay for the level of testing you want.
We use our well water for household chores and i fill multiple 5 gallon jugs for our drinking water from a spring high in the mountains. luckily we live in rocky mountain montana
 
A

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Discussion Starter · #4 ·
It is tap water . very hard. Limescale residue from using a kettle just once, washing machine needs de calc tablets in every wash.

I just want cleaner water due to a health issue (inflammation) I can't control it via the doctor. Who's bull**** creams do nothing and only attempt to address the symptoms anyway..

I've heard the metals and chemicals such as chlorine in the water can exasperate inflammation.

But I'm not expressing how dire the situation is or putting it into the correct context.

I had this all under control in 2019 with tyke help of lazer treatment.
(The inflammation includes the sinuses)
Masks make it worse. As my dermatologist says warm humid air incubates fungi which penetrates the pores of the affected skin and further exasperates.

Now I didn't notice any problems with FABRIC masks. But here ppf2 masks are required.
Within 2 months of ppf2 masks being mandated my condition which had been under almost complete control for years has deteriorated worse than ever.

Now despite my dermatologists advise to "minimise" mask wearing. And "exposure to too much sunlight"
She didn't want to give me a mask exemption.
Just some stupid cream I had to use for 6 weeks straight and doesn't work anyway.
Oh and it costs 40 bucks despite being fully health insured.

I have to say how much this is ruining my life.
I can't go anywhere or do anything without my condition further deteriorating.
I can't even have access to my daughter as it involves public transport and visits in a contact centre requiring masks.

I have no idea why ppf2 masks specifically caused a rapid deterioration. In such a short time. I've googled some stuff which has theories but it seems to be a politically loaded topic. And all I want is a cure. One way or another.


So yes my life is basically over so I'm hoping to improve my health and immunity.
 
D

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#7 ·
Decide what you want your water filter to do, different ones are for different purposes. Berky is not for softening water. Some also question whether it is reputable.
Cutting a stock pot with tin snips would be pretty hard, I can't imagine doing it. You could use a hole saw, it has a pilot bit surrounded by a round saw blade, comes in different sizes but not sure what size you would need. Stainless is hard and if you go too fast the hole saw will burn out. Or there are ratchet or hydraulic punches, these are expensive but you might find someone who could do the job. Thinner metal would of course be easier. The difficulty is why many use plastic buckets instead of stock pots.
 
C

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#10 ·
C

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967 Posts
#11 ·
ARWYN said:

The Black Berkey system is a sick joke - and one that may end up with you being sick

I've personally promoted the Black Berkey elements for years. That ended tonight. I learned a few weeks back that one of the "laboratory tests" New Millennium Concepts, Ltd., the manufacturer of the Black Berkey elements, asserts (asserted?) to be valid in supporting the Black Berkey's...
www.goldismoney2.com
Click to expand...
Notice how claims like this are never backed up. It's always something like "I learned a few weeks back". Not to mention that that particular story is almost 10 years old.
 
C

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#12 ·
AquaRain claims to meet NSF standards but from what I can tell they don't actually do the yearly testing. Also I don't know what specific standards they claim to meet. Doulton at least specifies NSF/ANSI 53 but that only covers lead, chlorine, and cysts, not bacteria or viruses or anything else.
 
A

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Discussion Starter · #13 ·
cowboy1964 said:
Doulton is a great alternative to Berkey. Make in the UK, not China.

www.amazon.com

Doulton W9121214/British Berkefeld W9121215 0.5 Micron ATC Super Sterasyl Ceramic Water Filter for Gravity Systems (2 Pack)

Buy Doulton W9121214/British Berkefeld W9121215 0.5 Micron ATC Super Sterasyl Ceramic Water Filter for Gravity Systems (2 Pack) at Amazon. Customer reviews and photos may be available to help you make the right purchase decision!
www.amazon.com

Why do you need a flouride filter?
Click to expand...
Is that a serious question?
Seems like you disagree with fluoride being banned in most countries due to all modern research showing how artificial fluoride is toxic aawell as bad floor the teeth?

Research that previously showed any positivity is as outdated as research showing cigarettes were healthy.
 
A

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Discussion Starter · #14 ·
cowboy1964 said:
AquaRain claims to meet NSF standards but from what I can tell they don't actually do the yearly testing. Also I don't know what specific standards they claim to meet. Doulton at least specifies NSF/ANSI 53 but that only covers lead, chlorine, and cysts, not bacteria or viruses or anything else.
Click to expand...
What about mercury and other metals?

Because a water distiller fails fo filter mercury due to it's low melting point. It seems to remain after precipitation? If that's the right word ?
 
M

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#15 · (Edited)
A water testing lab may be found in most communities of considerable size. They test the water filter quality in wells, which is necessary in most regions if you are purchasing a home with a well. In addition, most eateries must have their water tested. Reasonable cost Simply pick up a sample jar from them, return it with your water sample, and pay for the testing level you desire.
For our drinking water, I fill multiple 5 gallon jugs from a spring high in the mountains, and we utilise our well water for household tasks. Fortunately, we live in the Rocky Mountains of Montana.
 
Bluesky9

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#16 ·
ARWYN - The water we get from the public water line is not to bad. However, first it goes through a "whole house filter" (cost about $35 plus install). Then to a water softener (ours was $375) which softens and removes iron. The resulting "softened water" tastes very good. I neither smell nor taste chlorine from the faucet water. Most of the water I drink, comes from the refrigerator which also has a filter in it.
We used to have a Reverse Osmosis system (Lowes $150) that worked really well for water to the furnace filter, but for drinking, I do not think it necessary.
It is surprising how much "stuff" the whole house filter takes out. The water softener would remove the same material but I just like the Idea of having the pre-filter.
 
J

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#18 ·
Reverse osmosis is your finest option if you're seeking for a long-term water purification system that will undoubtedly keep you and your family safe from all forms of illnesses. It's also acceptable if you're thirsty and find an unopened bottle of distilled water chilling in the refrigerator. Other water filters that you can think of include whole-house filters, NSF-certified filters, and MWF filters.
 
A

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Discussion Starter · #19 ·
If I want to remove fluoride chlorine. Metals etc. And stop limescale . is reverse osmosis enough?

I've been looking into distilled water and I'm just not convinced it's bad for your health. If you eat semi healthy I expect the negative effects of distilled water are negligible? Or am I missing something?

I would like to be able to effectively purify water I can collect as rainwater or for example from a lake (when camping)

I think the doulton filters would very quickly need replacing if I run through bad water?
My research into this suggests the filters need replacing more often depending on the condition of the water.
So living off the grid for a substantial time may become expensive?

Of course I know some people use a combination of filters. For example a homemade carbon/sand/grit filter to remove the worst. Followed by a doulton type filter?

Interested in your opinions.

Also I see that distilling water can require a lot of energy to boil the water. But that doesn't seem like such a negative point if the fuel can be an infinite supply of ground branches?

Would love to hear your thoughts.

Some of these home filtration systems seem very expensive. And that's without getting into the higher end in devices fitted with uv lights to kill bacteria for example.
Such a thing isn't suitable. I can't just make modifications to the plumbing in a house I rent with a deposit. I'll probably lose a chunk of that and have to remove/relocate/reinstall the device in future if I move.

I know I can theoretically use 2 large stock pots to diy a doulton type stainless steel filter.
But I'm not confident to use angle grinders or snips to carve steel pot lids.

It would need to be a bit more portable?
Can't wait to hear your thoughts
 
T

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#20 ·
I have a countertop gravity fed filter. Bought the Doulton filters separate from the two part container. I’m filtering city water because I don’t trust it and it has an aftertaste. I also had someone come out and give me a bid for a whole house filter but is the outrageously expensive. sorry, I don’t know much about distilled water. I did have an old thread asking about the filters here, not sure if this is the correct way to link it but a few people gave me some links to look at. Doulton candle question

anyway, I’m happy with my choice. Check out the water thread sticky at the top of foods and water too. Lots of info
 
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Tiresias
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