Inline water filters

Submitted: Monday, Dec 16, 2019 at 08:01

ThreadID: 139428 Views:14185 Replies:8 FollowUps:10

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Trevor G5

I’m just wondering what type of water filters people have put in hoses that they use when filling up drinking water containers? I only carry a jerry can amount. Thanks

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Reply By: Frank P (NSW) - Monday, Dec 16, 2019 at 08:20

Monday, Dec 16, 2019 at 08:20

An Aussie product, BEST.

Link.

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Follow Up By: Member - Peter (1) - Monday, Dec 16, 2019 at 10:37

Monday, Dec 16, 2019 at 10:37

I agree with Frank, I fitted one of these to the hose I use to fill the tanks on my caravan and I have used some pretty suss water at times. The water coming from the filter is always clear and sweet. A little tip when doing this is to reverse the filter on the hose and flush out using the water from your tank, doesn't need much water, this prevents the build-up of pollution in the filter. Peter 1

It doesn't get any better than this!!!
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Follow Up By: Dave B18 - Monday, Dec 16, 2019 at 12:58

Monday, Dec 16, 2019 at 12:58

Sadly you have been reading and believing way too much advertising.
If you think any inline filter at the flow rates you are talking about will improve water quality you are living in fairy fantasy land. A filter of that type can never clear turbidity from water, or make water 'sweet'. It is a technical impossibility.

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Reply By: tonysmc - Monday, Dec 16, 2019 at 10:27

Monday, Dec 16, 2019 at 10:27

Hi Trevor, I bought the Stefani filter from Bunnings and plumbed it with a hose fitting so it can connect to a tap. Use the larger 25mm female tap fitting and bush it down to 20mm when required.
https://www.bunnings.com.au/filter-undercounter-stefani-ucfa_p5090102
Using this filter I can get replacements at any Bunnings store at any time, so much easier than trying to find a place that sells the correct filter.
I use the .2 micron filter in it so filters out almost everything. (that's point two)
https://www.bunnings.com.au/filter-water-stefani-sub-micron-perform-0-2pm-107_p5090025
Tony

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Follow Up By: Dave B18 - Monday, Dec 16, 2019 at 13:05

Monday, Dec 16, 2019 at 13:05

Water filters if you read the specifications require reasonably slow flow rates. To get the best out of the filter you are better off just filtering your drinking and cooking water through a separate tap. Your cartridge will also last longer.

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Follow Up By: tonysmc - Monday, Dec 16, 2019 at 16:24

Monday, Dec 16, 2019 at 16:24

I only use this filter for Drinking and cooking water. Although it is meant as an under sink filter, you will see I said I have plumbed it so it connects straight to a tap and just fill my pots and/or drinking water containers from it.

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Reply By: Kazza055 - Monday, Dec 16, 2019 at 11:35

Monday, Dec 16, 2019 at 11:35

I have a standard twin filter setup which I use when the water is suss. I hardly even need to us it in WA as the town water is always fine.

I have put in 2 stainless steel self tappers along side the water inlet and hang it on them if needed. I also have a short length of hose about 600mm that connects to the van and I also use it from inlet to outlet so I don't get water everywhere in the boot.

AnswerID: 629111

Reply By: Dave B18 - Monday, Dec 16, 2019 at 12:54

Monday, Dec 16, 2019 at 12:54

Keeping the fine dirt and rust out of your tanks is of prime importance. Using one of these Karcher filters which is the finest screen type you can buy of this type is excellent. You will often be stunned how much muck it catches. Easily washed and takes standard sized hose fittings each side.
https://www.bunnings.com.au/karcher-high-pressure-water-filter-cleaner-accessory_p6279615
$15.90
or
https://www.bunnings.com.au/gerni-water-filter-for-high-pressure-cleaner_p6270716
$12.98
Make up a short hose with click fittings either side to use inline.

These Stefani inline filter are excellent value for money and superior to anything else come across of the same type and substantially cheaper.
https://www.bunnings.com.au/stefani-caravan-water-filter-cartridge_p5090173
$26.24
What I do is fill my tanks with the inline type Karcher/Gerni filter and only filter the water for drinking through the Stefani filter.

What needs to be understood, the claims made by some of the inline filters are technically impossible to achieve. The price of those inline filters is nothing short of extortion for what they are. Reason I use the Stefani filter purely on the drinking water tap to achieve proper filtration with slower water flow. Filtering Australian town water is going to do nothing for you other than using the Karcher/Gerni type filter. A filter cannot remove calcium or iron or improve water quality in any way. Any such claims made from inline type click filters are ridiculous with the high water flow, and technically impossible to achieve.

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Reply By: Phil G - Monday, Dec 16, 2019 at 16:44

Monday, Dec 16, 2019 at 16:44

The quality of water in most outback towns has improved out of sight over the years so I no longer bother filtering.
But I do store my water in multiple jerrys and on the caravan the two tanks can be isolated, so if I need extra water for washing, from say a well or a bore, I keep it separated from water for drinking.
The filter thats sitting idle in the shed is an undersink unit - the cartridges are better value.

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Follow Up By: Dave B18 - Monday, Dec 16, 2019 at 16:52

Monday, Dec 16, 2019 at 16:52

You would still be well advised to use the Karcher/Gerni type filter in my previous post. You will Unpleasantly surprised how much muck it will catch at times. It is the muck, sand and rust that gets into the tanks and stuffs up the water pumps, or blocks the pre-screen filters on the water pumps. The issue is the pre-screen filters are not really fine enough.
Yes, the quality of water in in rural towns has improved substantially over the years. Few towns still have very hard water that doesn't make good tea or coffee, and then just buy one of the 10L water containers. If I know I am heading to a poor water area, take one or two with me. I don't like buying them not because of the money, is because of the plastic. You know only too well it won't get recycled out there and end up in land fill. What I have been doing is cutting the tops off and taking them home to turn into storage bins in for my shed shelves.

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Reply By: Peter_n_Margaret - Monday, Dec 16, 2019 at 23:13

Monday, Dec 16, 2019 at 23:13

Keeping water in a tank in warm conditions is the best way to promote bacteria growth.
We buy water filters by specification, not by brand.
We don't filter as we fill our tanks, but we do add liquid chlorine (sodium hypochlorite) to all water added.
We then filter using twin 10" cartridges after the pump and before the taps. The first filter is a 5um sediment filter, the second is a 0.5um carbon/silver filter. The carbon will remove any residual chlorine and lots of other stuff and the silver inhibits bacteria growth inside the filter if it is not used for a while.
Cheap and effective protection.
Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome

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Follow Up By: Allan B (Sunshine Coast) - Tuesday, Dec 17, 2019 at 10:48

Tuesday, Dec 17, 2019 at 10:48

.
Pete, after agreeing with your expression on temperature and bacterial growth I decided to search on that subject. Now my head hurts. It seems that there is a bacteria for every temperature from sub-zero to superheated. I may adopt your method of adding chlorine to our water in general, but I think that I will drink only bottled beer to be safe and sure. lol

Actually, our setup is three totally separated tanks of 40L each and we seem able to reserve our treated town water for potable use whilst topping up one or two of the tanks with unknown quality. So far so good!

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Follow Up By: Peter_n_Margaret - Tuesday, Dec 17, 2019 at 11:09

Tuesday, Dec 17, 2019 at 11:09

Yes Allan, you are right about the presence of bacteria, but check the rate of growth at various temperatures.
I recall that in the past, the treated town water in the Morgan to Whyalla pipeline in SA has twice been declared unfit to drink. The water gets warm, the chlorine breaks down and bacteria proliferate. The solution has been to increase the chlorine levels so that it remains at reasonable concentrations until the water arrives at the consumption points.
Safe water does not necessarily stay safe, even in the dark and the longer your water supply lasts, the greater the risk.
Chlorine (in the form of liquid swimming pool chlorine or cheap household bleach) is cheap and so are good quality filters.
Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome

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Follow Up By: Peter_n_Margaret - Tuesday, Dec 17, 2019 at 19:22

Tuesday, Dec 17, 2019 at 19:22

A bit more info on filters.

B.E.S.T. carbon/silver, no micron specification that I can see, - $119 plus each.
https://bestwaterfilters.com.au/

My most recent purchases....
Carbon/silver 0.5um 10" cartridges - $22 each (I paid under $20, but from this supplier).
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/5x-SILVER-IMPREGNATED-Carbon-Block-Water-Filter-0-5-Mic-10-x-2-5-BCC2510-P5-4-58/231602675504?_trkparms=aid%3D333200%26algo%3DCOMP.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D61013%26meid%3D0d28b9d74a514b47bfaf09c491aab74f%26pid%3D100008%26rk%3D4%26rkt%3D12%26sd%3D141937541460%26itm%3D231602675504%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D0%26pg%3D2047675&_trksid=p2047675.c100008.m2219

I purchased 5um 10" sediment filters from Fresh Water Systems in Adelaide for $2 each cash over the counter.

There are other choices for both.

Twin 10"cartridge holders cost under $100. Here is one at $55.
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Twin-Undersink-Water-Filter-System-10-x-2-5-Housing-Bracket-Only/113039906546?hash=item1a51b416f2:g:bacAAOSwQz1bFnj~

Cheers,
Peter
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Reply By: Trevor G5 - Tuesday, Dec 17, 2019 at 17:25

Tuesday, Dec 17, 2019 at 17:25

Thanks for the feedback re inline water filters. My son and i have had a very bad experience from dodgey water which put him in hospital and made me very sick. Anyway, thanks for the feedback there is plenty of good information for me to digest.

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Follow Up By: Frank P (NSW) - Tuesday, Dec 17, 2019 at 18:28

Tuesday, Dec 17, 2019 at 18:28

Where did the dodgey water come from? A tank? A rockhole? A stock trough? Etc?

I don't think the B.E.S.T. filter I recommended would be appropriate for billabong water laden with bovine faeces, or similar polluted water sources, if that's the kind of thing you're referring to.

I'm not an expert in survival, but I think you need more than a filter for such polluted sources - ie chemical treatment, which is another layer of discussion.

What were your circumstances when you got infected?

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Follow Up By: Dave B18 - Tuesday, Dec 17, 2019 at 22:11

Tuesday, Dec 17, 2019 at 22:11

Don't think the BEST filter would be good for much to anything at the flow rate. IMHO the worst rip-off going in water filters. The specs are not poor for no good reason.

Only fill my tanks with town treated water. Have a separate pump and filter for shower or clothes washing water if using river/lake/dam water. To wash dishes with river/dam/lake water will always boil the water, and my wife washes the dishes with the boiling water with cotton gloves with rubber gloves over the top. Cannot afford to get sick from crook water while travelling in remote areas. 3 years ago at a remote location in WA traveller had to activate PLB for emergency medical treatment from drinking bad water. If was forced to drink dam/river/Lake water would always give the water a rolling boil. I also carry plain bleach to treat water if necessary. Also use it if the water has high turbidity and let stand overnight to clear for washing clothes or dishes. Only need a small amount and is inactive my morning.
I suppose you could say I am a tad paranoid about drinking/cooking water, but thankfully have never had issues because of the care and attention take to water quality and hygiene. Just as fussy about food storage temperatures in the fridge as food poisoning in a remote location is just as bad.

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Reply By: IvanTheTerrible - Tuesday, Dec 17, 2019 at 21:43

Tuesday, Dec 17, 2019 at 21:43

I carry a large twin filter setup. One is a twine rapped filter to take out the chunkies and a carbon/ceramic to take out the fines and smell. I also have a filter that is suppose to take out nasties and has silver/platinum in it but have never used that particular filter. We have pumped out of creeks, rivers and wells but only use the water for washing. Remember though, like your tanks and jerry cans, filters and pumps need to be disinfected as often as you can.

AnswerID: 629133