BWCA Dry bag for DIY gravity filter - do over? Boundary Waters Group Forum: Do It Yourself Gear
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      Dry bag for DIY gravity filter - do over?     

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schweady
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06/29/2016 11:00PM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
Based on a recommendation found here, I was happy to find a bargain price on a couple of Outdoor Products 20L dry bags to use as water bags for a DIY gravity filter system setup. Before modifying, I wanted to test out a few things: how well they would hold water for an extended period of time, how strong the closure connection was for hanging the 40+ lbs of water, and whether the flavor of the water would be tainted.

Holding water: fine, unless filled too full. If so, it would find its way out of the rolled top, but it would eventually quit. Also fine, unless it tipped over. Not 100% watertight at the closure, for sure.

Strength of roll-top "handle" for hanging: didn't like the amount of stretch at first, but got more confident that it would be okay. Only hung for a short period of time; may try an overnight in the future.

Taste test: FAIL. Even after multiple rinses, a plastic/medicinal/moth ball taste was evident in the water even after being stored for a short time. Hmmm, perhaps the wording on the box "not for storing food or water" should have been my first clue...

Based on the taste test failure, I am happy to have not gone ahead right away with installing any tubing. I believe that I may just have purchased a couple of large, and relatively heavy, dry bags instead. At least they were only $5-6 bucks apiece.

Thoughts on a better bag for water storage/filtration reservoirs?
 
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dentondoc
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06/30/2016 12:07AM  
I used an Innate Aqueduct Water Transporter for mine. I know it is comparatively expensive, bu it is purpose built to transport water. As you can see from the image attached to the link, it has a roll top with buckle, a hanging/lifting strap, and a clear window that shows water level (which also has a graduated scale on it). What can't be seen is a rear lift strap.

For my gravity filter, I removed the twist flow valve and added tubing to attach to the filter. I added a step here by using a camelback quick link to the line to be quickly and easily removed. (I also have a secondary connection with a shower head attached.)

This arrangement works well. I also added a particulate filter inside the bag so larger debris doesn't work down the tubing to the gravity filter.

dd
 
schweady
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06/30/2016 09:25PM  
Nice, dd. The price may *possibly* be justified because, as you say, it is an item actually designed for containing water. And the spigot is already installed (although that's something most folks here would say is not that hard). Is it only available in the 15 liter size? That's the only size I found in all of my searches. How fast is the flow through the (unfiltered) spigot? (Comparable to a collapsible Reliant plastic jug, say?) When using the 'base tipping loop,' are you simply pouring through the top opening? It looks to be heavier, but 8.5 oz would be nearly identical to the Outdoor Products item I tried.
 
dentondoc
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06/30/2016 10:56PM  
I've only found this product in the 15L version, and it must be a low production item since they are not available in too many places (and many are nearly double the Amazon price). The 15L size, when filled to near capacity, has proved to be more than ample for 2 people for at least 2 days.

Using the existing spigot, I'd venture to guess that it would fill a 32 oz Nalgene jar in 10-15 seconds. That is a guess because I cut the spigot off and inserted a surgical tube through the exiting opening. My pre-filter connects to this tubing on the inside of the bag and a camelbak quick-connect is attached on the outside. This arrangement constricts and reduces the water flow, so it takes me a bit more than 30 seconds to fill the same nalgene jar.

I generally don't employ the tip strap that often ... mostly to just empty the bag before breaking camp. After emptying the bag, I'll hang it for a few minutes by the tip strap to allow residual water to drip out. However, its position is such that if you are hanging the bag, you might put a rope through the tip strap and pull it slightly backward. This would enable you to empty the bag almost completely using the spigot.

I find the weight convenient, plus the material is sufficiently flexible that I simply roll it up and put a couple of bands around it to store in my pack.

Hope this is helpful.

dd

p.s.: Before using this bag, I was actually using a Boundary Waters Dry Bag from Cabelas for this purpose. Being a reasonably rugged dry bag, it HOLDS water well. In addition, the air bleed valve is identical to the "spigot" on the Innate bag. The dry bags do come in a variety of sizes ... and they roll-up too. The just have many hanging options (only via the roll-down/buckle arrangement). So, the dry bag is more like a bladder than a "bucket" (which I often simply laid on a log or rock to elevate off the ground). It usually takes a couple of swipes in the lake to fill, while the larger opening of the Innate bag is generally full with one scoop.

errata: I just looked at the Cabela's web site ... I don't find those dry bags listed ... they could have been discontinued. The only one's I remember were blue with a couple of loops toward the bottom where you could run a nylon strap.
 
redoleary
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07/01/2016 04:06AM  
I've gone to using a collapsable bucket for the task and like it for a variety of reasons, its easier to fill than a dry bag (for me anyway) it vents better because the top is open, but you can get falling debris in it but I don't mind, the handles are built for the load.

LINK


 
Grandma L
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07/01/2016 09:27PM  
I use the collapsible bucket and just put the filter with attached pre-filter right in the bucket and then start the syphon/gravity by either sucking on the clean water tube or using the back flush syringe.
 
07/01/2016 09:58PM  
I would assume as long as the spigot is off the bottom, you let it settle for a bit before opening it up and the flow isn't too fast, you'd have very little issues with sediment clogging the filter. Am I off base?
 
Mashuga
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07/02/2016 11:12AM  
schweady, I bought that same bag as I needed a new one that size. I had thought of using it as a dirty water bag but had read that it was not for water use. Aside from that, I figured the smell was enough warning.

I went with the same bag that redoleary bought. It's rated for water and seems sturdy and worked well on the trip last year. I didn't want to poke holes and put a valve in that would stick out and possibly break so I use a siphon method similar to GrandmaL. I put an 'on/off' valve that was left over from a toilet valve replacement kit. You only need to start a siphon once. I've never timed it but it will do a gallon of water in short order.

 
schweady
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07/03/2016 08:11PM  
Not interested in tubing techniques here, just the reservoir choice.

Here are three different Reliance water containers, all 5 gallons (which is one of my goals):
Reliance Fold-A-Carrier
Reliance Fold-A-Carrier II
Reliance Aqua-Sak

We have used the first Fold-A-Carrier for many years. But every replacement we've bought winds up leaking after a couple of trips from folding the material for packing. At least the ones we have found lately have integrated molded handles. All three options have the same small opening for filling, but I wonder if either of the latter two are improvements.

The nylon sack would be perfect if it had a wide opening with a roll-top closure. It packs down much smaller than the others, but it's also listed at about twice the weight. ?? Also, some reviewers mention a off-putting plastic taste to stored water. Seems odd, given the stated purpose of the bag. ??

dd's Innate Aqueduct solution is nearly perfect, except it's not available larger than 15 liters (~4 gal). And, the cost.
 
wingnut
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07/03/2016 09:11PM  
I've modified the Aqua-sack's opening by cutting the thread holding the top together then re-sewing it back together like a traditional dry bag would be with the large opening. No foul water taste from mine and for the price with the spigot included makes a great water container. I can post a pic if you want to see it.
 
schweady
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07/03/2016 09:33PM  
quote wingnut: " I've modified the Aqua-sack's opening by cutting the thread holding the top together then re-sewing it back together like a traditional dry bag would be with the large opening. No foul water taste from mine and for the price with the spigot included makes a great water container. I can post a pic if you want to see it."

Exactly what I was thinking could be done! Pics would be great, along with some pointers for this sewing neophyte.

Does it stand up very well on its own, or need to be hung?
 
wingnut
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07/04/2016 08:18AM  
It looks like I had to cut the bag to remove the weld at the top because it's shorter than an un modified bag. This is probably one of the first sewing jobs I tried so without any experience I just sewed it back together the same way it came apart. If I did it again I would run the webbing all the way around the rim instead of using the plastic strip reinforcement that came with the bag. Maybe some others with more experience will chime in with a better way. It does stand on it's own or could be hung.
 
WindChill
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07/04/2016 08:35AM  
I use my DIY gravity for backpacking also, so I wanted really light weight bags: a 10L Outdoor Products for the dirty side and a 10L Boli for the clean side.

The Outdoor Products is the yellow bag in the Walmart 3pack. The buckle definitely does not support the weight, I larks head a piece of cord around the neck.

The Boli was a surprise find - food grade, reasonable size neck, good handle and quite touch (puncture resistant).

Here is my Amazon list of all the parts/fittings/bags that I use:
http://smile.amazon.com/registry/wishlist/1JBISM2JI9X27

 
schweady
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07/04/2016 08:24PM  
Thanks, both of you.

WindChill, that Boli looks like it could roll up like a Sawyer Squeeze. Wonder if creasing it eventually causes pinhole leaks, like the old standby Reliance. Alas, only 10 liters...

wingnut, how much volume do you suppose you lost in your conversion? And is it really such a heavy nylon that it could weigh twice as much as the others?
 
wingnut
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07/05/2016 07:49AM  
The modified version will hold 4 Gal. Un modified 5 Gal. That's with the suggested three rolls at the top before snapping the handle together. The modified version weighs less than the original at 8.1 Oz compared to the original at 8.8 Oz. Because of the shortened bag and The snap being taken off. If I modified another one I think I would use wider nylon webbing that folded over the inside and out. That would make it a bit heavier but IMO not enough to matter.
 
09/12/2016 11:41PM  
quote schweady:
We have used the first Fold-A-Carrier for many years. But every replacement we've bought winds up leaking after a couple of trips from folding the material for packing.
"


Hey schweady, You wouldn't have happened to keep the lids from your leaky Reliant Fold-A-Carriers. I was digging through a box of old camping supplies and found my old one, but couldn't find the lid, gorrammit!

Also, have you all seen this idea for making a gravity filter?
Might be worth checking out.
 
Ardwich
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10/24/2016 02:52PM  


This is my setup. Same exact bag.
 
schweady
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10/28/2016 10:35AM  
quote Ardwich: "This is my setup. Same exact bag. "

Doesn't it make the water taste awful??
 
schweady
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10/28/2016 10:37AM  
quote mcspin50: "
quote schweady:
We have used the first Fold-A-Carrier for many years. But every replacement we've bought winds up leaking after a couple of trips from folding the material for packing.
"



Hey schweady, You wouldn't have happened to keep the lids from your leaky Reliant Fold-A-Carriers. I was digging through a box of old camping supplies and found my old one, but couldn't find the lid, gorrammit!"

Actually, I do! I was thinking about using a couple of them as spigots on some possible DIYs. Are you still working at the PACC? I can drop it off. Sorry I missed this msg for so long.
 
10/30/2016 02:31AM  
quote schweady: "
quote mcspin50: "
quote schweady:
We have used the first Fold-A-Carrier for many years. But every replacement we've bought winds up leaking after a couple of trips from folding the material for packing.
"




Hey schweady, You wouldn't have happened to keep the lids from your leaky Reliant Fold-A-Carriers. I was digging through a box of old camping supplies and found my old one, but couldn't find the lid, gorrammit!"

Actually, I do! I was thinking about using a couple of them as spigots on some possible DIYs. Are you still working at the PACC? I can drop it off. Sorry I missed this msg for so long.
"

Yes I do. That would be great if you could. Thanks a million!
 
12/22/2016 12:37PM  




Hey schweady, You wouldn't have happened to keep the lids from your leaky Reliant Fold-A-Carriers. I was digging through a box of old camping supplies and found my old one, but couldn't find the lid, gorrammit!"

Actually, I do! I was thinking about using a couple of them as spigots on some possible DIYs. Are you still working at the PACC? I can drop it off. Sorry I missed this msg for so long.
"
Got it! Thanks so much for the lid, schweady!
 
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