Homemade berkey water filter

[Arklatex]

I am researching higher capacity filters as I am lacking in this department. I just have lifestraws, backpacking filter and some purification tablets. I got major sticker shock when I saw the prices for the famous berkey system. Further research led to some vague information about building your own out of berkey replacement filters and 5 gallon buckets. Has anybody tried this or know someone who has? From what I've found it can be built for less than 100 dollars. Or is it worth it to pay the big bucks for the real deal?

[Sparkyprep]

Nothing wrong with a home made system using Berkey filters. Thousands have done this. Check YouTube for about a million how-to videos.

[HuntingHawk]

Go to amazon & buy Doulton filters, 7 or 11". Then make your own with two food grade 5gal buckets. You want something solid like expanded metal or old BBQ grill rack between the top & bottom buckets to support weight. turn the top bucket over & space to drill two holes for two filters. Turn the bucket over & install the two filters. Lid on the top to keep debris from blowing in. Sit the water catch bucket on the ground, grill ontop of it, & filtering bucket ontop of it & you are set.

I found a small aquarium I set mine up in. And I use the 7" ceramic filters because I use a collander with a pillow case as a prefilter.

BTW, Berky uses the Doulton filters.

[MrsInor]

So are Doulton filters cheaper than Berkey filters?

[Arklatex]

Is there any reason they are so expensive?

[Arklatex]

HH got any pics?

[Deebo]

I have a plan, to use two five gallon water coolers, with the berkey filters, and to use an air intake valve on the top cooler, becouse of the spin on our, and the insulation. I should probably use five gallon buckets first, then, if it doesn't flow fast enough, use the air valve.
I saw many videos, and the reason I went pressurized was some blue gas can looking water purifier used in Afica, but they were more than a berkey.
I am almost caught up on the yard, still need some roof patch installed, and roll linoleum in bedroom, but I do wanna do this project.
After deer season. Sept 1

[Inor]

The thing with the Berkeys is that it is the filters that are the expensive part not so much the cans. The cans are about $100 if you take out the cost of the filters. That does not seem too outrageous for two stainless steel cans with a top and a spigot, etc. But it is the cost of the filters that will bleed you white. Unfortunately, making your own with their filters will save the $100 for the cans, but...

[HuntingHawk]

[Montana Rancher]

A great hillbilly setup, not sure why you would use a bucket so obviously soiled and dirty, why not scrub it out with beach and make it look pretty?