Filtering water prior to Aqua Mira

[shorembo]

Is there any reason to use some sort of mesh filter (cheese cloth?) when filling a water bottle PRIOR to using Aqua Mira? This would just be used to get big stuff out like leave parts, etc. I tried a test last night using a banadana and it did not work.

[oops56]

use a coffee filter

[Hooch]

Is there any reason to use some sort of mesh filter (cheese cloth?) when filling a water bottle PRIOR to using Aqua Mira? This would just be used to get big stuff out like leave parts, etc. I tried a test last night using a banadana and it did not work.

Please don't take it the wrong way and it's not a personal attack, but I'd suspect operator error. This is the only method I use to get the floaties/chunkies out of my water and it works without fail everytime. HYOH, but IMO, no need to carry chesecloth when a bandana will serve the purpose and be a multi-tasker on the trail as well.

[Kerosene]

I bring along a few coffee filters for those rare times when there's too much big stuff floating in the water. It takes a fair amount of time for the water to seep through, and ideally you form a "funnel" inside your water bottle to build up a bit of pressure.

[JaxHiker]

Depending on where you get your water from you'll definitely want to filter. I used the Steripen FitsAll Filter on my last hike and it worked well.

[shorembo]

Please don't take it the wrong way and it's not a personal attack, but I'd suspect operator error. This is the only method I use to get the floaties/chunkies out of my water and it works without fail everytime. HYOH, but IMO, no need to carry chesecloth when a bandana will serve the purpose and be a multi-tasker on the trail as well.

How long does it take to filter using a banadana? Last night, I took a regular bandana out along with a 32oz gatorade bottle. In my first test, I covered the opening with the bandana (one layer) and ran a small stream of water from the faucet into the bottle. Most of the water just dripped down the sides.

I then got serious and tied off the bandana around the opening (still one layer) and dunked the whole thing in my pool. I ended up having to squeeze the bajeezus out of the bottle to get the air out and water in.

I kinda was thinking the whole filtering thing to get gunk out would be easy and not some 15+ minute wait.

[Storm]

I use a bandana to filter prior to using my Steripen. I lay the bandana over the mouth of the bottle and then push it down into the bottle a little ways to form sort of a cup. then pour water into it and it only take a minute to fill up the bottle. If the water is just running off you probably have it stretched too tight.

[moldy]

When desperate for water and forced to drink from a mud hole or lick it off a rock I always try to treat it the best I can and then "just swallow it quickly" and not give it too much thought.

[Hooch]

How long does it take to filter using a banadana?

Depends on how fast the water is flowing, but usually no slower than the water flow itself.

I lay the bandana over the mouth of the bottle and then push it down into the bottle a little ways to form sort of a cup. then pour water into it and it only take a minute to fill up the bottle. If the water is just running off you probably have it stretched too tight.

There ya have it. I fold my bandana over double to do this, but to each their own.

[Desert Reprobate]

I think that's what you have teeth for

[shorembo]

Depends on how fast the water is flowing, but usually no slower than the water flow itself.

There ya have it. I fold my bandana over double to do this, but to each their own.

Thanks...
That makes sense about not having the banadana tight. I will give it a try tonite.

[Stir Fry]

I do use a bandana, to get ride of the little swimming things. Most will die when the water is treated but the thought that there bodies are still there bothers me if I don't strain it some. Coffee filters do work but begain to fall apart to quickly.

[Blissful]

When desperate for water and forced to drink from a mud hole or lick it off a rock I always try to treat it the best I can and then "just swallow it quickly" and not give it too much thought.

That's about the size of it. I never prefiltered before Aqua Mira and the stuff I drank from had nice organic material during the drought in NE last fall.

[Del Q]

Short answer, Nah!

A bandanna works fine..............most times its just not needed, plus what do we have with "floaties" - what is in our stomach is like hydrochloric acid!

Last year in SW Virginia I was scooping muddy water with the top of a gatorade bottle, forget the floaties, all kinds of critters swimming around in the limited water pockets.............

Aqua Mira is a solid product from my view.............have had zero problems.

Water filter was 13 ounces = gone.

[shorembo]

I tried the bandana using the correct technique of not having it tight over the bottle. Worked like I originally thought it should.

Thanks for all the feedback.

[Trailbender]

Short answer, Nah!<br>
<br>
A bandanna works fine..............most times its just not needed, plus what do we have with "floaties" - what is in our stomach is like hydrochloric acid!<br>
<br>
Last year in SW Virginia I was scooping muddy water with the top of a gatorade bottle, forget the floaties, all kinds of critters swimming around in the limited water pockets.............<br>
<br>
Aqua Mira is a solid product from my view.............have had zero problems. <br>
<br>
Water filter was 13 ounces = gone.

<br><br>Try bleach, it's cheaper and just as good.

[Spokes]

I used AquaMira and never had any issues with floaties on my entire thru hike. No bandana, no coffee filter needed. Take your time dipping water and take a deep cleansing breath.......... ohhhmmmmmmmmmm.


Of course if your like an elephant at the water source there's absolutely no help for you.

[Lyle]

Rarely do you have so many floaties that filtering is needed, unless you are a klutz while dipping your water. :-)

On the few occasions I felt the need to filter it was out west, when collecting water from a cattle trough. Then a relatively clean wool sock worked great. Porous enough that it allowed the water and air to pass, but did catch most of the larger hairs/leaves/twigs/grass/slober. I did double treat.

[jimcro55]

I am wondering if instead of using coffee filters or something cheap would a fine metal mesh work better?

If you went and checked out a small sample from
http://www.bwire.com/

Something like a 200 x 200 stainless steel wire mesh?

Would this do the trick? Obviously a bit more expensive but owuld also certainly last longer I would think? What do you guys think?

[Ladytrekker]

http://www.botaofboulder.com/water-f...on-system-22oz I use the bottle for everything drank alot of river water using it never been sick its simple and no fuss