Phat wrote:


Brumfield wrote: Well, aren't we quick to make generalized statements here... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

The problematic issues with ceramic filters used by backpackers has been due to their trying too quickly to force too much water volume through way too small of a filter. This a good example of what happens when 6 ft, 225 pound guys decide they just can't carry a 16 ounce water filter, no matter what, nor can they wait 10 minutes to get 32 ounces of safe water with a larger ceramic inertia filter, versus waiting 3 or 4 minutes to hand pump (force) the water through their little 3oz super-micro handy dandy just how extreme can we be on weight saving water filter. I've seen the little UL ceramic filters clog up too and often. I also have seen people drop the filter's intake line on the bottom of muddy creeks, in sand, silt, clay, and in water they'd just walked out into to place the intake line down. I never suggest a small diameter ceramic filter, they just cause too many problems, unless you have major pre-filtering going on, such as string and charcoal. But, that's just too much work.

Ceramic filters are the most efficient water filtration being used today. Ceramic is used by many military; including the USA, Israel, Australia, and on and on. Ceramic is also used in most (yes, most) medical centers around the world, where as chemical treatment is last on the list of treatment choices due to reactions with medicines, drugs, and other chemicals given to the patients. Chemical treatments do not remove harmful heavy metals, chemicals, or wastes.

Katadyn makes an inertia filter called the Siphon Filter that is 16 ounces in weight and it will filter between 5000 and 20,000 gallons of water. I made one of these 16 years ago, long before Katadyn came out with theirs. It still works fine. I found Katadyn's inertia filter online while tracking down a ceramic filter to make one for my house as a backup water supply. The Katadyn filter with a protective case and a hose attached costs just about the same as the replacement filter cartridge alone, so that's pretty much a no brainer as to which one I bought. It's the same ceramic filter. I can filter enough water to handle all of my needs including washing dishes, faster than I can get my camp set up, cook and eat, and decide it's time to clean up. At 1.40 gallons per hour, with no pumping, it's well worth the 16oz carry weight. If 16 ounces feels just too heavy on my next trip, then I could always loose one pound off my belly before I leave on the hike. Or choose a different pair of boots. Or carry less food... NAW!

For me, the filter has needed a scrubbing about every 60 gallons when on the trail. Takes two minutes, and involves no tools to take it out of it's protective case. I use a paper coffee filter, tied around the end of the intake hose with a rubber band, as a pre-filter, then treat the water with chlorine dioxide before filtering if it looks questionable, and even UV treatment while on the trail. But then again I'm in the jungles of Mexico, what do I have to worry about? Brum.