Filter or Tablets

imported
#1

Trying to cut some pack weight. Are tablets just as effective as my (heavy)Katadyn Pocket filter.

Randy Man

#2

Even More effective! I’m pretty sure there was just a thread on this subject that you can review. In short, Aquamira is a very popular chemical treatment; inexpensive, efficient, and effective. Leaves a small taste but better than any other chemical treatment. There are other good chemical treatments like potable aqua and polar pur as well.

Canyonman

#3

I wouldn’t compare Aqua Mira to Portable Aqua or Polar Pur. Aqua Mira is chlorine dioxide, while the other two are iodine-based treatments. Chlorine dioxide has been proven much more effective over a broad spectrum of biological contaminants than iodine. Chlorine dioxide is, as Canyonman states, effective, when used correctly. Iodine, by contrast, is always a gamble.

Tron

#4

While I agree that chemical treatment is at least as effective as a good maintained filter and I do use it on short hikes I worry about the safety of using chemicals on a daily basis over the course of several months. I have not seen any studies of this but it would make sense to me that anything designed to kill bacteria in the water would have to have some negative affect in the long run on the good fauna in your system. I feel the same way about taking large doses of vitamin I on a daily basis. Over the long term there has to be some negative affect.

Big B

#5

I’ve used filters, iodine, AquaMira and a Steripen. I’m about a third done with my AT thru-hike, have used all four of these water treatment methods and like the Steripen the best. Once I figured out it has to be completely dry before packing it away, it’s worked fine each time. It’s light weight (5.8 oz.) and ease of use “sold” me. And it’s wonderful to be able to drink the treated water while it’s still ice cold from the mountain.

Croft

#6

Big B makes a good point. I think I’ll pour myself a cold glass of chlorine and flouride-enhanced tap water from the kitchen sink and mull over my options.

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#7

also chlorine dioxide is what most cities use in their water treatment systems anyway. also know that iodine is not effective in water below 40 degrees

Bravefriend

#8

I won’t say anything bad about AquaMira or the Mi-Ox except when I’m thirsty, I’m thirsty now. If you don’t mind the wait it is good but I do like my Steri-pen for ease of use and being able to drink that water while it is still cold. Lots of options out there and even more opinions, good luck. HYOH

4 Bears

#9

All good points. Totally agree aquamira is much better than iodine. I used the steripen on the PCT a few years back and it was great when it worked properly. Perhaps I was not patient enough to make sure the water sensors were completely dry each time, but It became very fickle and frustrating and I wound up going back to aquamira which costs $12 and produces 120 liters of water. The steripen is only effective in clear water and wasn’t useful in some of the stagnant, less savory water sources in southern cali, so It’s a good idea to have chemicals as backup in most places (I know most trails have clear water but you could run out of batteries or break the bulb too).

Canyonman

#10

I can’t remember if it was aquamira, but I used a chlorine based one that had a chlorine antidote to use after 30 minutes or something… it was 2 liquids if I remember right & got rid of the taste & chlorine harmful effects!

gingerbreadman

#11

Iodine is the best treatment: http://www.high-altitude-medicine.com/water.html#chemical

It’s possible to use Betadine and tincture of iodine instead of the pricier Potable Aqua pills, too. Potable Aqua has a package that comes with neutralizing pills, which are ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) but I stopped using these. I would not want to contaminate my iodine with Vitamin C, thus neutralizing it, and the smell/taste confirms that the water bottle has been disinfected.

Obviously if you cook with water you don’t need to disinfect it provided that you cook to a boil.

Camel Man

#12

The steri pen is now my sterilizer of choice. Lithium batteries # CR123A might be hard to find, however. Check outfitters along the AT (available at REI). Camera stores have them, too.

I carry a one liter pot which I keep handy, fill and purify at streams, drink a liter carry a liter. The advantage is that water is ready as soon the process is done in a couple of minutes. I use a piece of no-see-um to filter out “floaties”.

rambler

#13

Iodine may be the “best treatment” if one doesn’t mind the fact that it’s been proven to be far less than 100% effective against giardia and cryptosporidia.

The cited article is old news, to say the least, and does not consider chlorine dioxide, which is not chlorine “bleach” that backpackers once used, and has, in fact, been proven to be far more effective than iodine at killing biological contaminants in water.

Referencing the Wikipedia entry on chlorine dioxide:

“It is more effective as a disinfectant than chlorine in most circumstances against water borne pathogenic microbes such as viruses,[16] bacteria and protozoa – including the cysts of Giardia and the oocysts of Cryptosporidium.[8]:4-20–4-21”

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