I have made the charcoal filter & know it removes chemicals & that biosand filter does not. I am hoping my 5' long, 2" PVC pipe is sufficient for my biosand filter.
I will check the pool shock to make sure it is not stabilized like pool chlorine tablets. The stabilized products are not to be used for potable water. Thansk again for a great video.
Nice job on this video. Q. Can I assume you always keep the filter filed with water at all times? BTY: You do not want to add Chlorine or Activated Charcoal to the filter as it will kill off the Bio-zone. You will need a 2 stage filter to do that.
@Ebiczebulanious Yes that is correct. The filter (when in use) is always kept topped off at it's static water level. You must "feed" the biolayer every couple of days at a minimum by adding more raw water to the filter. In normal use you would be adding water every day. I recommend that anyone building / using a Biosand filter, download and read the CAWST source information about building and using a biosand filter. It's very important to do the homework. LINK to the info is in video description
@CrypticCRICKET Would the secondary activated charcoal filter be another PVC pipe with layer of large gravel, small gravel & charcoa? Making something like this with synthetic cloth to filter out the big trash. Then chlorine to purify it after it is filtered. I think I would need my system or yours but not both. Yours after my charcoal runs out of usefulness ( using another posters travel kit on a larger scale). Do yu know where to buy 'Polar Pure iodine crystals' & 'sodium hypochlorite' powder?
@gatorDennis A biosand filter doesn't use any charcoal as a filter media. It's my understanding that Activated Charcoal removes chemical compounds. A biosand filter doesn't do that.
Sodium hypochlorate is sold as a pool shock. You might try a pool supply store for that.
I just Googled 'Polar Pure iodine crystals' and Amazon.com was a search result.
@CrypticCRICKET I understood the charcoal was not in the biosand filter & I know from the Internet that activated charcoal filters out chemicals. I have made the charcoal filter. I am hoping my 5' long, 2" PVC pipe is sufficient for my biosand filter. I will check the pool shock to make sure it is not stabilized like pool chlorine tablets. The stabilized products are not to be used for potable water.
@CrypticCRICKET Now there is two - they want $29.98 & $35.98 with shipping for what the manufacturer says is a $10 - $15 product. I contacted Polar Pure & they told me that the EPA has put new requirements on obtaining iodine. They have not been able to acquire iodine for about 3 months. They may not be able to ever make Polar Pure again. Most sites on the Internet are out of stock. I found one site for $12.99 + $4.95 shipping for you need some while it lasts.
How do you drill the hole in the bottom and how do you attach the 90degree mettal fitting. I made one and tried to use a drill bit a little small so it could screw in but that didn't work well and I found I had to expand the hole with got messy and then had to fill it in with liquid cement. Any tips pls?
I drilled a hole through the side of the PVC pipe cap that was smaller than the largest diameter of the pipe thread of the 90 degree fitting. Then I screwed the fitting into the side of the PVC end cap to form threads in the PVC pipe cap. Just like you did. I glued the fitting into the threaded hole to make certain it was sealed well. I used "Goop" adhesive to glue the fitting into the threaded hole.
Does anyone know how you save or download a YouTube video to your computer? I don't what this bookmarked, I want this video saved on my computer and I know there is a way t o do it, but am not seeing here what to click on?? Thanks
Adding charcoal would help pull out bad chemicals and pollutants but as with most filters that use charcoal as a filtration media, The charcoal should be a special kind known as "Activated Charcoal". Activated Charcoal has it's structure opened up by a special process that's beyond the ability of most people to re-create. Especially in a long term survival scenario. The open structure (more surface area) is what makes it so effective at trapping chemicals and stuff.
How many people a day can that size of biosand filter comfortably support, and can a get a printed copy of your diagram you used during the video presentation? In a emergency situation, I could be supporting up to 15 people in our shelter. I'm wondering if making it a bit bigger wouldn't be a bad idea. Have you had the water tested? I was going to have my source water, the water straight from the filter and the water, after sitting in the sun, tested just for my curiosity. GREAT VIDEO too!!
@Adhighway66 Hi Adhighway66. I couldn't say how many people a day my version of CAWST's filter could support. I would think it could easily support 4 to 5 people's daily drinking water needs without over working the filter. If you hit the pause button while the filter diagram is on screen you can make a sketch of my graphic. CAWST's web site has downloadable files that include everything you might want to know about Boisand water filter design/use. Web link included in video discription above.
You actually want the biocommunity to build up and exist in the top layer of sand because the biocommunity eats the bad bacteria and organic solids as they go through the filter. It takes several weeks for the biolayer to mature and be able to do it's job effectively. Adding bleach would kill the bacteria in the biolayer and make the filter much less effective. You want the biolayer to be alive and healthy.
@CrypticCRICKET You can add small amounts of ammonia (measured in drops) depending on how much water is available in the top of the filter. One teaspoon per 10 gallons of water is what I use to rapidly create the beneficial bacteria within 7-13 days during summer temps. It needs to be at least 85 degrees for this to work. You could also use urea (human pee works in emergency) to rapidly establish the top beneficial bacteria as well.
I have made the charcoal filter & know it removes chemicals & that biosand filter does not. I am hoping my 5' long, 2" PVC pipe is sufficient for my biosand filter.
I will check the pool shock to make sure it is not stabilized like pool chlorine tablets. The stabilized products are not to be used for potable water. Thansk again for a great video.
I understood the charcoal was not in the biosand
gatorDennis 6 months ago
Nice job on this video. Q. Can I assume you always keep the filter filed with water at all times? BTY: You do not want to add Chlorine or Activated Charcoal to the filter as it will kill off the Bio-zone. You will need a 2 stage filter to do that.
Ebiczebulanious 7 months ago
@Ebiczebulanious Yes that is correct. The filter (when in use) is always kept topped off at it's static water level. You must "feed" the biolayer every couple of days at a minimum by adding more raw water to the filter. In normal use you would be adding water every day. I recommend that anyone building / using a Biosand filter, download and read the CAWST source information about building and using a biosand filter. It's very important to do the homework. LINK to the info is in video description
CrypticCRICKET 7 months ago
@CrypticCRICKET Would the secondary activated charcoal filter be another PVC pipe with layer of large gravel, small gravel & charcoa? Making something like this with synthetic cloth to filter out the big trash. Then chlorine to purify it after it is filtered. I think I would need my system or yours but not both. Yours after my charcoal runs out of usefulness ( using another posters travel kit on a larger scale). Do yu know where to buy 'Polar Pure iodine crystals' & 'sodium hypochlorite' powder?
gatorDennis 6 months ago
@gatorDennis A biosand filter doesn't use any charcoal as a filter media. It's my understanding that Activated Charcoal removes chemical compounds. A biosand filter doesn't do that.
Sodium hypochlorate is sold as a pool shock. You might try a pool supply store for that.
I just Googled 'Polar Pure iodine crystals' and Amazon.com was a search result.
CrypticCRICKET 6 months ago
@CrypticCRICKET I understood the charcoal was not in the biosand filter & I know from the Internet that activated charcoal filters out chemicals. I have made the charcoal filter. I am hoping my 5' long, 2" PVC pipe is sufficient for my biosand filter. I will check the pool shock to make sure it is not stabilized like pool chlorine tablets. The stabilized products are not to be used for potable water.
gatorDennis 6 months ago
@CrypticCRICKET Now there is two - they want $29.98 & $35.98 with shipping for what the manufacturer says is a $10 - $15 product. I contacted Polar Pure & they told me that the EPA has put new requirements on obtaining iodine. They have not been able to acquire iodine for about 3 months. They may not be able to ever make Polar Pure again. Most sites on the Internet are out of stock. I found one site for $12.99 + $4.95 shipping for you need some while it lasts.
gatorDennis 6 months ago
How do you drill the hole in the bottom and how do you attach the 90degree mettal fitting. I made one and tried to use a drill bit a little small so it could screw in but that didn't work well and I found I had to expand the hole with got messy and then had to fill it in with liquid cement. Any tips pls?
Jerath24 9 months ago
@Jerath24
Hi Jarath24.
I drilled a hole through the side of the PVC pipe cap that was smaller than the largest diameter of the pipe thread of the 90 degree fitting. Then I screwed the fitting into the side of the PVC end cap to form threads in the PVC pipe cap. Just like you did. I glued the fitting into the threaded hole to make certain it was sealed well. I used "Goop" adhesive to glue the fitting into the threaded hole.
CrypticCRICKET 9 months ago
Does anyone know how you save or download a YouTube video to your computer? I don't what this bookmarked, I want this video saved on my computer and I know there is a way t o do it, but am not seeing here what to click on?? Thanks
Izaana030505 11 months ago
You could add charcoal or chalk for some extra filtration.
mitsukai89 1 year ago
@mitsukai89
Hi mitsukai89!
Adding charcoal would help pull out bad chemicals and pollutants but as with most filters that use charcoal as a filtration media, The charcoal should be a special kind known as "Activated Charcoal". Activated Charcoal has it's structure opened up by a special process that's beyond the ability of most people to re-create. Especially in a long term survival scenario. The open structure (more surface area) is what makes it so effective at trapping chemicals and stuff.
CrypticCRICKET 1 year ago
How many people a day can that size of biosand filter comfortably support, and can a get a printed copy of your diagram you used during the video presentation? In a emergency situation, I could be supporting up to 15 people in our shelter. I'm wondering if making it a bit bigger wouldn't be a bad idea. Have you had the water tested? I was going to have my source water, the water straight from the filter and the water, after sitting in the sun, tested just for my curiosity. GREAT VIDEO too!!
Adhighway66 1 year ago
@Adhighway66 Hi Adhighway66. I couldn't say how many people a day my version of CAWST's filter could support. I would think it could easily support 4 to 5 people's daily drinking water needs without over working the filter. If you hit the pause button while the filter diagram is on screen you can make a sketch of my graphic. CAWST's web site has downloadable files that include everything you might want to know about Boisand water filter design/use. Web link included in video discription above.
CrypticCRICKET 1 year ago
Could you simply add some bleach to that filter every couple of weeks to prevent the bio community build up?
556Triggerman 1 year ago
@556Triggerman
You actually want the biocommunity to build up and exist in the top layer of sand because the biocommunity eats the bad bacteria and organic solids as they go through the filter. It takes several weeks for the biolayer to mature and be able to do it's job effectively. Adding bleach would kill the bacteria in the biolayer and make the filter much less effective. You want the biolayer to be alive and healthy.
CrypticCRICKET 1 year ago
@CrypticCRICKET You can add small amounts of ammonia (measured in drops) depending on how much water is available in the top of the filter. One teaspoon per 10 gallons of water is what I use to rapidly create the beneficial bacteria within 7-13 days during summer temps. It needs to be at least 85 degrees for this to work. You could also use urea (human pee works in emergency) to rapidly establish the top beneficial bacteria as well.
CallOnYahweh 7 months ago