I didn't want to hijack the other thread...

I am looking to get a filter system, but really can't justify the cost of one of the good gravity systems (platypus, sawyer, msr) right now. I'm looking at the sawyer mini filter to use with a bottle or as a straw for on the go use and then plug it into a homemade gravity system when we put up camp, but am wondering what the flow rate is like used that way. I am okay with the gravity system being slower than using one of the $55 gravity flow filters, but don't want to end up squeezing all of our water through the filter with the squeeze pouches. I found plenty of threads for homemade gravity systems, but couldn't see a good answer to this.

Can anyone who has used the mini this way chime in? Does it filter fast enough to be practical in a homemade gravity system?

We used another guys gravity filter on a trip, and I do think his was faster than my mini. With his, it was fast enough to stand there while your 1 L bottle was filling up.

I use a bucket on the top end and a 3 gal coleman water jug on the bottom for group trips. I set it up as soon as I get to camp, and by the time everything else is setup, I have a couple of gallons of water. I would like to try using a larger diameter hose above the filter to get more volume in the water column above the filter. That should force more water through faster.

You do have to keep and eye on it in some lakes, because depending on the lake, the filter does have to be back flushed more often. Boot lake comes to mind.

How much water do you need? And how fast do you need it?

I'm not as concerned as some people seem to be about whether it takes 1 minute or 2 minutes. I have an MSR gravity system, a Sawyer Squeeze, a Sawyer Water Filter Bottle (which contains a Sawyer mini filter), and I have also used the mini in a gravity setup.

The Sawyer Water Filter Bottle is great for drinking on the go - you just dip to fill, screw the lid with filter attached back on, and suck it up through the straw. The Sawyer Squeeze only takes a short while - maybe 15-30 seconds - to get a cup or two of water. Some tubing and a couple of the 2-liter squeeze bags converts the mini to a gravity system.

The gravity systems are fast enough for me. I set it up first thing at camp and I have all the water I need by the time I'm done with everything else. The mini is slower than the MSR, but still plenty fast enough. I have plenty of other things to do while it filters. For more than 2 people, I take the MSR since the reservoirs at bigger and the weight is spread over more people, but you might do just as well with a couple of minis.

I have used the Sawyer Mini for gravity systems. They work alright, not real speedy but get the job done. If you are wanting a bit more speed then go with the Sawyer Squeeze filter. It is slightly more but still not that expensive. I got mine at Wal Mart.

For about $10 more (and not all that much bigger) the sawyer squeeze has close to 55% greater flow rate than the mini. Does the same thing, but slightly better. Works pretty fast with bottles or pouches, but I've seen some good gravity setups too.

double post :/ what old fingers said.

See my post on other thread... they plan to introduce this spring a gravity filter that uses the mini.

I do suggest whether you go with the Mini or the Squeeze that you be sure and bring the syringe along to backflush the filter with. We had to use ours several times while up in Quetico last year as the flow was so slow if we didn't.

Thanks for the replies!

A Sawyer mini filter is our main filter for 6-8 guys. It works great. You just need to bring and use the syringe to backflush the filter every 4-5 gallons.

Mini in a Camelback bottle

Versatile little thing, put the bottle (same cap size interchanges with a Nalgene), together and used it last year. Just put together a gravity setup, filled the 100 ounce Camelback in a bit over 4 minutes. Parts are a water bag (thanks GrandmaL), aquarium pre-filter, bulkhead fitting, hose, Sawyer Mini, Camelback quick fitting and valve.

butthead

I use a Sawyer Squeeze on all trips now. Very light and travels well. One nice feature is the ability to back flush the filter with clean water any time the flow starts to slow down. Restores the flow to normal speed. Have done it several times on trips. Works well.

We have, and use, both a Sawyer 2 liter gravity system and a Sawyer Squeeze.

The gravity system is our choice for in camp use, and IMHO worth the money we paid for it. We take a 5 liter "bulk" container and use it to fill the system 2-1/2 times. It'll run through two liters in about a minute to a minute and a half. I've never found myself "waiting" for water.

I understand why folks would want to "build-their-own" system for the simple satisfaction of doing so, but IMO the expense to build a system of equal quality to a ready made system is a wash.

The squeeze system is used during travel.

Keep in mind that there are three of us, so the system works great producing enough water for all of us. I haven't tried a homemade setup with a mini so I don't know how well it would produce.

I have used the Sawyer Mini instead of my MSR filter in my MSR gravity setup. It works fine for me. Not as fast as the Squeeze or the MSR filter that came with the system.

Simple setup with a Sawyer Mini. Purchased the bag from Discount Sporting for $10.
Added the vinyl hose and plastic fitting (this fits onto the threaded end of the mini) for approx $4. I already had the mini filter. In a test run at home, I filtered approx 2 quarts
in 4 minutes. The hose and fitting was purchased Fleet Farm. The bag will actually hold 5 gal of water.

RLJ - Is that just a friction-fit onto the Aqua-Sak's spigot? How did it hold up? What is that hose's inside diameter?

(Fitting your own outlet onto just about any dry sack is one of the things that I know others have shown to be a piece of cake, but a step that I'd just rather not mess with... AND, we have a couple of Aqua-Saks...)

Yes, it fits very snug onto the spigot. The ID is 3/8" × 1/2" OD and the connector on
the mini end is 3/8" × 3/4" called a hose barb (probably because the threaded end will fit into a female water hose connection). All the parts were located by the vinyl hose, plus you only have to buy what ever length vinyl you need. I've only tested at home, but don't see the assembly ever coming apart in the field.