Aqua Mira off-gasing on plane?

I took Aqua Mira on the plane from Alaska to Colorado to hike the CT last summer. One of the bottles, I can't remember if it was part A or B, seemed to off-gas on the plane or the pressure uncapped it. When I was on the trailhead, the bottle ran out quickly.

Has anyone else had problems with Aqua Mira on a plane or understand the composition of Aqua Mira enough to determine if that could have been the problem. Maybe I just didn't have the lid screwed on tightly enough. Or perhaps on the hike the contents off-gased.

It's a great mystery & I am getting ready to fly to Colorado again for the CT & am wondering if I should fly with Aqua Mira.

The two parts don't "gas up" until they are mixed. Maybe it's the change in pressure, but methinks it's more likely that you didn't have the cap screwed on tightly.

Next time, get Micropur instead -- one tablet per liter (the tablets are easy to break up for treating smaller water volumes). Identical active ingredients, but in a more potent (concentrated) form. No need to count and mix drops, no five-minute solution mixing wait, and no more worries about leaks or spills.

Yes but for the money the liquid is way, way, more cost effective. And if waiting for five minutes while your mixture brews while you get to have a break and look at scenery, eat a snack, and possibly talk to another hiker is waisting too much time is a problem then you should not be out there any way. Then again some don't like esbit either HEE HEE HEE HEE, <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

MUGS,

Go ahead and play with your Aqua Mira liquid if it pleases you. But Katadyn tabs have been tested by the military (your tax dollars at work, usefully, for once) and found to be the most effective chlorine dioxide treatment. I'll pay the extra $$ for the conveniance and peace of mind.

I use the Katadyn tabs as a backup for my SteriPen Adventurer. Both are FAR lighter and more effective than my HIKER filter. Technology marches on...

Eric

Micropur and AquaMira Drops both have the exact same active ingredients. But:

1. Micropur is EPA approved whereas AquaMira is not.
2. Micropur states effectiveness against bacteria, protozoa and viruses but AM states effectiveness against bacteria only.

Reason is that Micropur has a higher concentration of chlorine dioxide. The liquid format AM is too diluted to obtain EPA approval and is forbidden from mentioning anything about treating protozoa or viruses.

Can't remember which forum, but a member called AM to and confirmed the above. He also posted that AM told him that he could match Micropur's potency by increasing AM dosage four fold!

Not that you need to pour out your AM stash, but when it comes time to replenish, I would recommend switching over to Micropur.

Yes, and it's OK to be a Micropur AND Esbit user, although not necessarily at the same time.

I use both. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Leadfoot,

Geeze oh Man! And here I am using Katadyn tabs and ESBIT tabs at the same time. You mean ESBIT tabs are not for purifying water?? I am boiling water with ESBIT tabs and drinking water from my hydration bladder that has been purified with Katadyn tabs. Will I get sick? Maybe get the GLEEP?

Eric

From previous posts, sounded like Micropur is worth checking out as an alternative to Aqua Mira. However, I just checked the listing for Micropur on EMS's site, and it indicates that it requires a four hour wait period to be sure it's effective. If that's correct, that sounds like a big argument against it and in favor of A/M. Can someone more familiar with Micropur clarify?
thanks
Gerry Magnes
Schenectady, NY

Having used both and having talked with reps from both companies, I can clarify:

Aqua Mira's instructions specify a five-minute wait for the two solutions to mix/oxidize and then a 15-minute treatment time.

Micorpur, as you know, states 4 hours -- period.

But if you look at AM's instructions, only bacteria is mentioned. Nothing about viruses or protozoa (e.g. crypto, giardia, etc.). AM is not EPA approved and is forbidden from mentioning effectiveness against protozoa or viruses.

In contrast, the more potent Micropur is EPA approved and is allowed to mention effectiveness against all three classes of baddies. I am not sure if it's simply the Swiss or European way of stating only the MAXIMUM treatment time, but the company rep (and various websites as well) indicated the same 15 minutes treatment time for bacteria, same for viruses, and 30 minutes for protozoa. However, the 30-minutes for protozoans (esp. harder to kill types like crypto) will need to be lengthened if water is cold -- up to 4 hours if water is just above freezing.

For me, I seldom have 4 hours to wait while hiking -- and don't want to guess the water temps to calculate whether it's 30 minutes or 60 or 90 or whatever minutes. That's why I prefer to use a combination of methods:

1. scoop water, treat with Micropur, and wait 15 minutes to 'kill' tiny bacteria and viruses.

2. suck water through Frontier Pro (2 oz.) to block out the bigger and harder to kill protozoa -- as well as improve water clarity and taste.

But strictly choosing between Micropur and AM -- Micropur is clearly superior -- quicker and easier to use.

So if I'm understanding you correctly Ben, if you're most concerned about Giardia, then follow the 30 minute guideline noted for Protozoa unless the water is very cold. In that case, lengthen the time you wait. Is that basically it?
Gerry

Yes. Tiny stuff like bacteria and viruses are easy for the chemicals to kill / neutralize; but the bigger stuff -- esp. stuff with protective shells like some protozoa -- require longer time.

GLEEP not good to get. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> Possible if you only wait 14.9999 minutes for water to be treated.

mugs mention of his using the tabs and Esbit should have been arrested by the jason grammar mafia. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> which is worse than contracting GLEEP, from what I've heard by his victims <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />
<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

This off-topic has been beaten to death so much. I've used the tablets and never had a problem, even during a drought with hard to find water. I think use whatever works for folks. AM for me doesn't kill all that needs to be killed. Why bother with a treatment if it doesn't work? Counting drops, heavy bottles, not knowing how much is left, short shelf-life. I would use the method that b2w mentioned. But now I use a SteriPen.

back to the topic of off-gassing: only when I eat beans on the trail <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

Ben,
The wait time for MicroPur is PRECISELY why I use a SteriPen Adventurer with the MP as a backup in case the SteriPen gets broken.

But, about the 3rd day out I put three MP tabs in my 3 L. hydration bag just to be sure the bag isn't building up any bacteria. This is also good for rinsing out the hose mouthpiece area where bacteria DOES build up.

I'm so thankful these two very effective and very lightweight treatments are available. We Old Timers hate weight even more than you young Gram Weenies.

Eric