One of the questions I receive the most is: “How many Berkey filters are needed for my system?” The answer ultimately depends on the type of Berkey Water Filter you have and your own needs.

By reviewing the 7 basic facts and guidelines outlined below, you will gain a better understanding of the world of Berkey and be able to make an informed decision when choosing and configuring your filtration system.

Of course, you can also jump straight to the answer – presented as a table – immediately.

• Fact 1: Basic Systems Start With 2 Filtration Elements in the Upper Chamber
• Fact 2: Bigger Systems Mean More Filters
• Fact 3: Upper Chambers Hold Black or Ceramic Filters, Lower Chambers Hold PF Filters
• Fact 4: Black Berkey Filters Pair with PF-2s, While Ceramics Pair with PF-4s
• Fact 5: The Number of Upper and Lower Filters in a System Must Be Equal for Optimal Performance
• Fact 6: Only Uniform Filters Can Be Used in a Single Chamber
• Fact 7: Adding More Filters Speeds Up Filtration and Extends Their Lifespan

Fact 1: Basic Systems Start With 2 Filtration Elements in the Upper Chamber

You can then build upon the system from there, depending on your needs and system capacity.

Want to learn more about how individual Berkey systems work? We’ve covered this topic in another article on our blog. Visit it now and discover how a Berkey water filtration system works!

Fact 2: Bigger Systems Mean More Filters

The larger the system, the more elements you can fit into the upper chamber. The number of filters a Berkey can accommodate in the upper chamber ranges from 2 elements in a system like the Travel Berkey or Berkey Light to 8 elements in the Crown Berkey.

Fact 3: Upper Chambers Hold Black or Ceramic Filters, Lower Chambers Hold PF Filters

Traditionally, filter elements are designed to fit into either the upper or the lower chamber. Ceramic filters & Black Berkey filters must be installed in the upper chamber, while PF-2 Fluoride / Arsenic and PF-4 Arsenic / Lead / MTBE / Fluoride filters must be installed in the lower chamber.

In theory, if you wanted to pimp out your Berkey, 16 filtration elements could fit into the Crown Berkey (8 in the upper chamber and 8 in the lower chamber).

Fact 4: Black Berkey Filters Pair with PF-2s, While Ceramics Pair with PF-4s

This is because the PF-2s are designed to complement the improved filtering abilities of the Black Berkey elements. Similarly, PF-4 filter technology is designed to complement and fit with the Ceramic filtration elements.

So, if you buy 4 Black Berkey’s to install up top, you'll need to install 2 sets of PF-2s down below... not a PF-4 set.

Fact 5: The Number of Upper and Lower Filters in a System Must Be Equal for Optimal Performance

For example, if 2 Black Berkeys are installed in the upper chamber, you need to install 1 set of PF-2s below, and if 4 Ceramics occupy the top section, you will need to install 2 sets of PF-4s below, etc.

The lower chamber filters screw into the base of the upper chamber filters and filter water after it has passed through the upper chamber filters, removing fluoride and arsenic as it passes through.

If, for example, there are 4 Black Berkeys in the upper chamber and only 2 PF-2 filters fitted in the lower chamber, water that passes through two of the Black Berkeys will still contain fluoride and/or arsenic when it reaches the lower chamber.

Keep in mind that lower chamber (PF-2) filters are not required; they are optional, depending on the quality of your water source. A system can function with only upper chamber elements, like 2 Black Berkey filter elements, but not the other way around.

Fact 6: Only Uniform Filters Can Be Used in a Single Chamber

You cannot combine different types of filtration elements in one chamber. In other words, if you have 2 Black Berkey purification filters in the upper chamber and you'd like to expand to 4, you cannot add 2 Ceramic filters to the mix. You would need to add 2 additional Black Berkey filters.

Fact 7: Adding More Filters Speeds Up Filtration and Extends Their Lifespan

If you're buying a larger system, you most likely need water to be available quicker and in larger volumes. In this case, you would want to opt for 4, 6, or 8 upper chamber filter elements, as this would speed up the filtration rate.

Increasing the number of filters also increases the volume of water they can process before the filters need to be replaced. If the flow rate of your filters slows down substantially, it may be time to clean your filters.

And if they are still not filtering optimally after being cleaned, they may have reached the end of their filter lifespan and require replacement.

Conclusion: How Many Berkey Filters Are Needed For Your System?

Let’s summarize this topic with a table:

Berkey System	Black Berkey Filter Elements (upper chamber)	PF-2 Fluoride & Arsenic Filters (lower chamber)
Travel Berkey	2	2
Big Berkey	4	4
Berkey Light	4	4
Royal Berkey	4	4
Imperial Berkey	6	6
Crown Berkey	8	8

I hope this gives everyone a clearer understanding of how many Berkey filters are needed for their system. Couple this information with your filtering intentions and you'll be able to select the right system and elements combination that will meet your health needs.

Please feel free to contact me with any other questions that I can help you with - dan@bigberkeywaterfilters.com.

How Many Berkey Filters are Needed: Frequently Asked Questions

How many filters come with a basic Berkey water filter system?

A basic Berkey water filter system comes with 2 filters.

How do I determine the number of filters needed for my Berkey system?

Check the product specs for your systems, which are listed in the table above.

What is the maximum number of filters a Berkey system can hold?

The maximum number of filters a Berkey system can hold depends on the specific model. While the Travel Berkey can hold a maximum of 4 filters (2 in the upper chamber and 2 in the lower chamber), mid-sized systems such as the Big Berkey, Berkey Light and Royal Berkey can hold a maximum of 8 filters (4 in the upper and 4 in the lower chamber). Larger systems accomodate even more filters, with the Imperial and Crown Berkeys being able to hold a maximum of 12 and 16 filters respectively.

Does using more filters improve water quality or just filtration speed?

Using more filters doesn’t improve water quality, only filtration speed.

What is the difference in filter requirements between smaller systems (like Travel Berkey) and larger ones (like Crown Berkey)?

The primary difference in filter requirements between smaller Berkey systems, like the Travel Berkey, and larger systems, like the Crown Berkey, lies in their capacity and the number of filters they can accommodate. Check the table above to see how many filters can be fitted into each system.

Do I need to use both upper and lower chamber filters in my Berkey system?

A Berkey system will not work without upper chamber filters, but lower chamber filters are optional.

Why do the number of lower chamber filters need to match the upper chamber filters?

Mismatched filters result in incomplete filtration for some of the water, as it bypasses the secondary filtering stage (fluoride/arsenic removal) provided by the PF-2 filters. This compromises the overall water quality and defeats the purpose of a dual-stage filtration system.

Can I expand my system later by adding more filters?

Yes, if your system can accommodate them.

What happens if I mix different types of filters in one system?

Mixing different types of filters in a single Berkey water filtration system can lead to uneven filtration, reduced efficiency, and potential water contamination. To ensure optimal performance, only use filters recommended by Berkey for your system and replace them as per the manufacturer’s guidelines.

How can I calculate the best filter setup for my water consumption needs?

To calculate the best Berkey filter setup for your water consumption needs, you’ll need to consider your household size, daily water usage, and whether the water quality in your area deems it necessary to install PF-2 filters in the lower chamber, which could slow the flow rate down.