I have had two different filters, a katadyn base camp and a sawyer both have stopped flowing after about 30 or 40 liters. I have back washed and still only a trickle. I also collect the water in the middle of the lake. Needless to say I returned both. Anybody have any thoughts in a good purifier tablet or drops?

quote Crain: "I have had two different filters, a katadyn base camp and a sawyer both have stopped flowing after about 30 or 40 liters. I have back washed and still only a trickle. I also collect the water in the middle of the lake. Needless to say I returned both. Anybody have any thoughts in a good purifier tablet or drops? "

That's seems really odd, at least with the Sawyer, the issues with the Katadyn don't surprise me. I have ran hundreds of gallons through my Sawyer and Platypus filters, not one drop from mid lake, all water has been shore water, no clogs whatsoever. It might be a little slower than when it was new but not much, and I haven't even been back flushing much lately, once or twice a trip.

The Katadyn gravity filter seems to have a lot of problems with it from everyones post on here about it. As for the Sawyer, I along with other have not had any problems. For the tablets any of the brands are good as they are basically all the same make up to them. For drops a lot of people use the AquaMira drops.

Are sure you didn't have air bubbles in the line after back flushing the Sawyer?

quote boonie: "Are sure you didn't have air bubbles in the line after back flushing the Sawyer?"

I honest to god think many peoples "clogged filters" simply have air trapped in them, at least when talking about the known good ones like Sawyer, Platy ect.. I've had stubborn air locked filters that have sat doing nothing for an hour. I'll go and unhook the line and give it some gentle taps until its start to flow, then gently tap it some more. My buddies joke around and call me the filter whisperer. I now make sure my filter never goes dry. Since adopting this strategy I almost never back flush, it just seems to keep on chugging, 5 gals at a time. I back flush at home now and watch all the crud that spews out in the sink.

Had a flat-head '51 Dodge like that once......"vapor lock".
Seriously, my guess would also be "air trap"/bubbles. I do use a paper paint strainer or coffee filter SOMETIMES, but have never field-flushed my Sawyer. Had it 7-8 years and only back-flushed at home. It often does slow down a little when the top bag gets near empty; I suppose for loss of "tower pressure".

quote Ragged: "

quote boonie: "Are sure you didn't have air bubbles in the line after back flushing the Sawyer?"

I honest to god think many peoples "clogged filters" simply have air trapped in them, at least when talking about the known good ones like Sawyer, Platy ect.. I've had stubborn air locked filters that have sat doing nothing for an hour. I'll go and unhook the line and give it some gentle taps until its start to flow, then gently tap it some more. My buddies joke around and call me the filter whisperer. I now make sure my filter never goes dry. Since adopting this strategy I almost never back flush, it just seems to keep on chugging, 5 gals at a time. I back flush at home now and watch all the crud that spews out in the sink. "

+1 you are right on with your analysis. Air blockage at least in the Sawyer - The Katadyn is just not even in the conversation. Through your away several years ago.

quote Ragged: "

quote boonie: "Are sure you didn't have air bubbles in the line after back flushing the Sawyer?"

I honest to god think many peoples "clogged filters" simply have air trapped in them, at least when talking about the known good ones like Sawyer, Platy ect.. I've had stubborn air locked filters that have sat doing nothing for an hour. I'll go and unhook the line and give it some gentle taps until its start to flow, then gently tap it some more. My buddies joke around and call me the filter whisperer. I now make sure my filter never goes dry. Since adopting this strategy I almost never back flush, it just seems to keep on chugging, 5 gals at a time. I back flush at home now and watch all the crud that spews out in the sink. "

+1. Bubbles in the line = no go. We'll also back flush occasionally in the field and flow is nicely improved. Then, back flush at the faucet upon return home and there is an amazing additional amount that comes out, mostly reddish gunk. Anxious to try the gas line bulb field solution this year.

The only time our Platypus hasn't performed perfectly over the last several years is when it has gotten some air bubbles in the line. Work those out of there and you should be golden. We backflush every bag we filter by raising the clean bag above the dirty bag, maybe only a cup full, but it has kept our Platy flowing freely time after time.

I'm getting my first sawyer soon. Is the best way to avoid bubbles just to let it run first from the dirty bag through the tube without the filter, then connect filter and let run for a few seconds on the ground then attach to the clean receptical?

quote Ragged: "

quote boonie: "Are sure you didn't have air bubbles in the line after back flushing the Sawyer?"

I honest to god think many peoples "clogged filters" simply have air trapped in them, at least when talking about the known good ones like Sawyer, Platy ect.. I've had stubborn air locked filters that have sat doing nothing for an hour. I'll go and unhook the line and give it some gentle taps until its start to flow, then gently tap it some more. My buddies joke around and call me the filter whisperer. I now make sure my filter never goes dry. Since adopting this strategy I almost never back flush, it just seems to keep on chugging, 5 gals at a time. I back flush at home now and watch all the crud that spews out in the sink. "

That is very true. Sometimes, if no one is looking, I will suck the end of the hose to get the water running;-)

quote 9th Bearded Infantry: "I'm getting my first sawyer soon. Is the best way to avoid bubbles just to let it run first from the dirty bag through the tube without the filter, then connect filter and let run for a few seconds on the ground then attach to the clean receptical?"

That should do it, although I usually just do the first step, then check a little later. I'm not the kind of guy who stands over mine with a stop watch though ;).

quote Ragged: "

quote boonie: "Are sure you didn't have air bubbles in the line after back flushing the Sawyer?"

I honest to god think many peoples "clogged filters" simply have air trapped in them, at least when talking about the known good ones like Sawyer, Platy ect.. I've had stubborn air locked filters that have sat doing nothing for an hour. I'll go and unhook the line and give it some gentle taps until its start to flow, then gently tap it some more. My buddies joke around and call me the filter whisperer. I now make sure my filter never goes dry. Since adopting this strategy I almost never back flush, it just seems to keep on chugging, 5 gals at a time. I back flush at home now and watch all the crud that spews out in the sink. "

I'll go along with this thinking...OR

Are you going to the same lake every time?
Some lakes are well know for their filter "killing" abilities.

quote 9th Bearded Infantry: "I'm getting my first sawyer soon. Is the best way to avoid bubbles just to let it run first from the dirty bag through the tube without the filter, then connect filter and let run for a few seconds on the ground then attach to the clean receptical?"

In the Sawyer (I have) the filter attaches to the bag...no hose between.

quote 9th Bearded Infantry: "I'm getting my first sawyer soon. Is the best way to avoid bubbles just to let it run first from the dirty bag through the tube without the filter, then connect filter and let run for a few seconds on the ground then attach to the clean receptical?"

There is some trial and error involved, but it sort of goes like: Fill and hang the dirty bag, start flow through the filter and the tube, raise the end of the tube until flow stops. You will see the first half of the tube completely filled and the last half mostly air. Slowly lower the tube until it is all completely filled. Clip the tube shut and attach to the clean bag. Release the clip and check again for air pockets. Enjoy.
It becomes pretty automatic and a lot easier than trying to explain here.

quote schweady: "
There is some trial and error involved, but it sort of goes like: Fill and hang the dirty bag, start flow through the filter and the tube, raise the end of the tube until flow stops. You will see the first half of the tube completely filled and the last half mostly air. Slowly lower the tube until it is all completely filled. Clip the tube shut and attach to the clean bag. Release the clip and check again for air pockets. Enjoy.
It becomes pretty automatic and a lot easier than trying to explain here.
"

Words of a fellow filter whisperer