Comments on: The Difference Between Black Berkeys and Ceramic Filters - A Quick History and Comparison

By: Dan DeBaun

Dan DeBaun — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 15:54:28 +0000

Hi Barbara -

Please refer to the black berkey filters page for details on what the filters remove. At the bottom of the page you will also find testing results for the black berkey filters from NSF/EPA certified testing facilities. Please refer to those links for more details. As for “removed to non-detectable levels”, 99.99% would be regarded as detectable since they are detecting .01%. As would be 90% (10 detectable) and 95% (5% detectable). Even at the 99.99999% purification level, there is still levels of detection. Non-detectable levels represents the fact that no residual was detected by the instruments used. Below detectable levels represents the fact that residuals could not be detected above the sensitivities of the testing instruments used.

A side by side comparison of both the black berkey elements and ceramic filters can be found in our comparison of berkey water filter vs top consumer filter brands linked from the home page. Hope this helps.

Thanks
Dan

By: Dan DeBaun

Dan DeBaun — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 18:15:06 +0000

Hi Lawrence -

Thanks for the suggestion. This is on our “to do” list and we hope to have this available soon.

Thanks
Dan

By: Lawrence

Lawrence — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 18:02:12 +0000

You show some very useful comparisons with other water purifiers/filters items on the market but there seems to be lacking one of the most popular, namely the reverse osmosis system. Is there a reason you have not included this item in the comparisons? Can you include this? I know of some differences as far of costs and maintenance, and taking out good minerals, but I would like a comparison of the bad things each takes out. Thank you!

By: Dan DeBaun

Dan DeBaun — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 13:55:11 +0000

Hi Dean - Please use a scotch brite pad and fully scrub the filters under luke warm running water. Upon completion, you may install them into your system. We then recommend performing a red food coloring test on the filters to ensure they are still working to design specifications.

By: Dean Krause

Dean Krause — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 16:43:23 +0000

I have a Berkey filter system with the black cartridges. After using for a while, we put it into storage. Today, upon examination of the unit, I found small amounts of black stuff, probably mold, growing on an instruction sheet I had left in the upper chamber, and the metal surface felt damp. The cartridges appear to have some whitish splotches on them, although this could be mineral deposits. My worry is that this is mold also. How should I go about cleaning them, or should they be replaced?

Thanks,
Dean

By: Dan DeBaun

Dan DeBaun — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 13:33:01 +0000

The black berkey filters are currently undergoing testing for chloramine removal. Also, the black berkeys are adept at removing disinfection byproducts of chlorine, but until these other chloramine dbp’s have been tested for, no claims can be made.
For the ceramic water filter / PF-4 combination, we are not aware of outstanding tests that British Berkefeld is conducting for these chemicals mentioned above, so we cannot make a statement as to their efficacy in this regard.

By: Dan DeBaun

Dan DeBaun — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 13:23:11 +0000

There no special precautions to make. You can clean your ceramic filters with a brush prior to use and they should be fine. However, the PF-4 fluoride water filters only last for 6 months once they are put into use. If you had used the PF-4’s 2 years ago, then they have expired by this time, and require replacement.

By: Mike

Mike — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 12:52:15 +0000

Our Sterysyl filters and pf-4 filters have been inactive for about two years. Are there any special precautions we need to make when reactivating their use.

By: Mike

Mike — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 05:16:55 +0000

Our local water company is going to be adding chloramine to our water supply instead of chlorine.

Unfortunately, we have found no filters currently in existence that will reduce or remove the highly toxic byproducts including NDMA, hydrazine, iodoacids and DXAA. Filters certified by NSF at classification 42 wil reduce the monochloramine itself but not the byproducts.

We have the sterysyl filters with the PF-4 add on filter. Will these protect us.

By: Dan DeBaun

Dan DeBaun — Tue, 25 May 2010 18:36:08 +0000

Hi Mike - The 3000 gallon mark per black berkey element is considered a estimated point of full saturation. At this point, they should be replaced. Up and until that 3000 gallon mark, you can clean and maintain the black berkey as many times as needed. Depending on the source water, a cleaning may be required every month, once a year, or never. More than 60% of our customers are able to use the elements the entire life without a need for a cleaning.