best solid block carbon water filter? berkey VS aquasana

ztaitaifufu
ztaitaifufu Posts: 77 Member
in Chit-Chat
i'm shopping around for a water filter for the apartment my husband and i share in nyc. we rent so we want a portable one. ie not a undersink or anything connected to a facet. after some searching i'm debating between the travel berkey (1.5 -228USD) berkey replacement filters (both types) are about 107USD for a 2pack (160USD if adding 2 flouride filters) but i'm not sure how long they last. "Each durable and efficient purification element will last for up to 3,000 gallons (6,000 gallons per set of two) and provide years of efficient water purification. What's more, the unique Black Berkey purification elements are self-sterilizing."
and the aquasana AQ-4000 Countertop 87USD they recommend replacing the cartridges after six months or 450 gallons, whichever comes first. Replacement filters cost $59.99

i don;t think the aquasana removes flouride, and also i can't find much info on berkey's certifications, external quality control ect. i've read that they are cheapest in the long run and that the filtration systems are highly rated worldwide (ie PC & british royal fam - but i want some hard data ! : )

should I get a berkey or aquasana? Anyone one know anything better (lifetime affordability, removing most environmental toxins flouride, vocs ect?

anyway what do you guys think? any pointers?
thanks !

Replies

  • _John_
    _John_ Posts: 8,646 Member
    I studied adsorption to of manu different ligands to soil minerals in grad school, and it's amazing how much those companies are making on those filters...

    I'm in the biz with larger units and it is HARD sometimes to get a straight answer as to what's actually in those filters. I know BASF sells an iron oxide based adsorbent that I worked with that is used in a blend in some, and it removes As and F-. Activated alumina is also decent at removing both in a point of use filter.

    Really some product with an activated carbon iron or aluminum oxide would produce decent quality water from most municipal water systems in America. I'm not a fan of under sink stuff on municipal water (filters or RO units) either because most of the time you're just overtreating already decent water. You're also a slave to water treatment companies with the pre filters on an RO.
  • jonnythan
    jonnythan Posts: 10,161 Member
    I get a water test report every year and I've never seen anything in it to concern me. Is there something in particular you are trying to eliminate?
  • _John_
    _John_ Posts: 8,646 Member
    I get a water test report every year and I've never seen anything in it to concern me. Is there something in particular you are trying to eliminate?

    She mentioned VOCs (run of the mill activated carbon removes most of those) and fluoride (metal oxide).

    The fluoride I could see, but there's just as many arguments for it in the water. I know around houston tx where I am, many different organic compounds can be found, but as you say they are almost always within acceptable limits in the drinking water reports.
  • ztaitaifufu
    ztaitaifufu Posts: 77 Member
    jonnythan, mainly im worried about the chemicals used to treat the water, etc (those horror stories about prescription drugs are in the water supply) _john_ i know the companies are making a killing, that's why i looked into berkey, as they were suggested as the most cost effective. since aquasana is relatively new i wasn't sure if that was still the case - or would be applicable to my personal situation. since we rent i'm only looking at units that stand alone/ no installation.
    and thanks for the response, both of you !

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