Water Gravity Filtration Set Up

[TheSillyGoose]

Has anyone built their own water filtration set up? I'd like to make something that hangs from a tree with a 10L+ capacity to filter water down into another 10L+ bag/container while I'm sleeping in camp. I'd like to have something like the sawyer mini in the middle of the drip line so it could easily be switched out when the filter needs replaced. Has anyone built something like this? I'd love for some tips and pointers.

 

[T_Widdy]

I built a setup like that with 6L hydrapak bladders you could use the 10L seekers they sell also

 

[TheSillyGoose]

Thats awesome! How do you say it works? Does it take a whole night for the water to filter down with 6L?

 

[doverpack12]

Yes that’s what I do.
I originally used a sea to summit ultra sil dry bag as the dirty bag and cut a hole in the bottom for a female hose quick adapter that only flows when connected. It worked alright but I either tore the bag or broke a buckle.
I decided the small weight penalty was fine to use a waterdrop 1.5 gallon bag from Amazon.

Biggest thing is a way to hang your bag, a decent length of hose between the bag and filter (30” or so), that head helps the filter flow. I use sawyer mini and have quick disconnects on each end so it’s easy to connect or disconnect. Keep that filter from freezing.
I also put a shutoff switch on the outlet side of my filter.
I also have the shutoff and a coupler setup to interchange so I can hook straight from the filter to my backpack hose that has a removable mouthpiece with a quick connector. No need to pull the water bag out of your pack then.
I don’t think I have any pictures.

 

[T_Widdy]

Thats awesome! How do you say it works? Does it take a whole night for the water to filter down with 6L?

Works great, I’ve never timed it but I think it filters the 6L in less than an hr

 

[limpet]

I use a msr dromedary 10L bladder with a sawyer squeeze filter that screws onto the cap. I use to go beverage bladders to store clean water and sometimes extra dirty water. They’re like $5 a piece on amazon and a light weight. Since this picture I added 3-4 feet of tubing between the filter and the bag so I can get extra gravity pressure.

 

[mad_angler]

First, this type of filtration is GREAT. For basecamps, it is so cool to have a nearly endless supply of filtered water without doing any work.


I had a Katadyn basecamp. It is a pretty good stand-alone setup.

But the filter can plug. In northern Minnesota, some pretty clean lakes have something that nearly immediately plugs the Katadyn filter. It is a known issue by Katadyn and part of the reason they redesigned their filters.

Here is thread on a canoe forum that talks about replacing the Katadyn filter with a Sawyer. I made the conversion years ago and it works great.

BWCA: Converting Katadyn Base Camp

Gear Forum - Converting Katadyn Base Camp

bwca.com

One word of caution.. the Sawyer filters can not be frozen or they might lose there effectiveness. So i would not use this setup for nights that are below freezing.

 

[doverpack12]

First, this type of filtration is GREAT. For basecamps, it is so cool to have a nearly endless supply of filtered water without doing any work.


I had a Katadyn basecamp. It is a pretty good stand-alone setup.

But the filter can plug. In northern Minnesota, some pretty clean lakes have something that nearly immediately plugs the Katadyn filter. It is a known issue by Katadyn and part of the reason they redesigned their filters.

Here is thread on a canoe forum that talks about replacing the Katadyn filter with a Sawyer. I made the conversion years ago and it works great.

BWCA: Converting Katadyn Base Camp

Gear Forum - Converting Katadyn Base Camp

bwca.com

One word of caution.. the Sawyer filters can not be frozen or they might lose there effectiveness. So i would not use this setup for nights that are below freezing.

I pull my sawyer each night, double ziplock bag it and toss it inside my sleeping bag.

 

[mountainman406]

I have used a 10L MSR Dromedary bag with the hydration kit for a few years now and it works great. Take the drinking end off the hydration line and replace it with the Sawyer mini, it filters pretty quick, like 1L every 2-3 mins I would guess. Just backflush it once in a while and take it in with you at night if its going to get near freezing temps and you'll be fine.

 

[Maverick1]

Posters here have it covered. Just make sure you have a good support system for your contraption. 10L of water weighs over 22 pounds.

 

[TheSillyGoose]

Thank you all for the ideas! I'm restless this offseason so I'll start building one and send some updates after some field tests.