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Is there a way to build and maintain your own water filter for home use? Talking about drinking water.

Is there a way to build and maintain your own water filter for home use? Talking about drinking water.

(post is archived)

[–] [deleted] • 4 pts

We use a Berkey. Been using it for a few years. I have no complaints. As far as homemade goes.... unsure on that. Plenty of affordable options on the market right now.

[–] • 1 pt

Thanks. Been looking for a selfmade option though.

[–] • 0 pt

How homemade? Cause if you want to go all the way and make a water filter from scrap with sand, powdered charcoal and all that, the knowledge is out there...

[–] • 0 pt

yes you know, some sophisticated plan to do this maybe. Finding knowledge and inspiration is why I asked in the first place and if you have some to share I'd appreciate it

[–] • 3 pts

Distillation is the easiest to maintain, but highest in energy use. I have a still (for perfume extract of course), that I can use to make pure H2O, but the human body cannot use pure water as it will strip electrolytes from you. So also have electrolytic powder to add them back to the distilled water. It is a balancing act. We have Berkey (need replacement filters) Stills (needs electrolytes added) Luckily we have a year round springs near my home with tested clean water.

[–] • 1 pt

Don't worry about the electrolyte thing too much, most of your electrolytes come from food, not your water. Add it if you feel like it but if you're eating you're fine.

[–] • 2 pts (edited )

Fill a bucket with sand that drains into another with a commercially available gravity filter that drains into another bucket. Perfectly clean water. The sand is a primary filter that will expand the life of a gravity filter and is easily replaceable.

The whole setup is cheap and gravity fed. Hell you could even run a gutter spout into it from your roof.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00XTJJIF2/ref=ox_sc_saved_image_7?smid=A2RJ63KAV55ZXI&psc=1

Edit: Make sure and run some water through the sand bucket before hooking it up to the second bucket. Also you can mess around with layers of all kinds of filter substrates in the sand bucket. For instance maybe charcoal on the bottom, sand in the middle, and fish tank filter ceramic on top. At that point the water would probably already be about 98% filtered before it even touches the 0.2micron filter in the second bucket.

[–] • 1 pt (edited )

I suppose you could try making something with PVC pipe canisters full of filtration media and "recharge" the media on a periodic basis.

Another option would be distillation, however that would result in mineral deficiency over time.

Most refrigerator filters are made out of ground up coconut that has been turned into a kind of hard charcoal shell.

[–] • 0 pt

I read that activated charcoal can also be made out of coconut scraps. But I won't go that far yet to produce it by myself.

[–] • 1 pt

It's been years, and I don't know what it's called, but about 30 years ago I used to install septic systems. We were once hired to install some type of natural filter type setup. Going off memory it consisted of us creating walls as if we were pouring a basement. Then we layered various grades of sand and a layer of charcoal somewhere in it. All water was run through it and it came out clear and clean. I'm sure a set up similar could have a steam run through it with clean water coming out the other side like it was a spring

[–] • 1 pt

Not sure what you are trying to accomplish, but I use a whole house water filter that uses string-wound cartridge filters, a water softener, and I have a reverse osmosis filter for drinking water.

[–] • 1 pt

I’ve got the same setup, but paid to have it done professionally.

[–] • 0 pt

Nor do I, yet. But I was thinking about drinking water and some kind of selfmade filters to avoid cost and dependency on certain manufacturers.

[–] • 1 pt (edited )

You could build a diatomaceous earth filter. https://water.mecc.edu/exam_prep/DiatomaceousEarth.htm

Regarding RO filters, generic versions are available on eBay for not much money. A 5 stage unit can be purchased for a bit over $100. Even if you put together your own PVC, you would need the sediment filter, carbon filter and RO membrane cartridge.

I have these behind the house filter and the softener in two houses. I change the cartridges every couple years.

[–] • 0 pt

Sounds interesting and I'll look into that, thanks

[–] • 1 pt

Apec makes self-install filter systems and they're pretty cost effective

[–] • 0 pt

seems like one of the better options to go with manufactured filters, but not what I'm looking for

[–] • 1 pt

I'm sure that you could build one for yourself, there is already Berkey water filters. If you clean it after a few months it will last a lifetime.