Katadyn vario + purifier

“Hello,

I am currently planning a trip through a desolate area in southern africa.
Therefore i am looking for a good filtration system. I think about the katadyn vario, with it's three filtration systems.
However i'm still having some questions...

First of all, the vario has a 0,3 micron filter while the msr filters own a 0,2 micron filter. Is 0,3 still sufficient to eliminate most bacteria/viruses?

I think i'm also needing a purifier system because there exist some nasty viruses in the water. First i thought about taking the miox system, but after reading some disadvantages on this site i am thinking about taking a chlorine solution to purify the water.

Would this combination (vario+chlorine solution) do the trick for me?
Is it "healthy" to use chlorine solutions during a longer time?

Thank you in advance

antihero (Belgium)”

“extra:

otherwise, the vario contains an activated carbon filter meaning that when i first use chlorine purification and than the vario filter everything should be killed and the chloride should be absorbed by the activated carbon...

or am i missing something?”

“The only water filter recognised as a puirifier by the US Environmental Protection Agency is the First Need by General Ecology. It is rated as removing viruses, as well as bacteria and spores.

Other filters use anti-viral carbon or silver and several have had to correct their claims (Pur, et c.).

To my knowledge, the First Need is still the only purifier recognised by a government agency. I have used one since 1987 and have never had a problem. I changed the filter once.

Hope this helps,

Doug”

“If I were going to Africa, I would not go without the First Need Purifier. It eliminates viruses and bacteria and is EPA approved. I would also carry some aqua-mira as a fail safe and a back-up.

The First Need:

http://www.rei.com/product/767831”

“From Tennessee and Canuckistan - how can you go wrong?”

“Tennessee Wiskey and Canuckistan Wine is all you need.....”

“So true, Fridge, so true.”

“Hello,

I'm afraid the First Need Purifier is not an option anymore because I don't think it is for sale in belgium...

I think i will stay with the chemical purifier - katadyn vario combo...

thank you for the response

antihero”

“You can get overseas delivery form www.campmor.com at least. Cost would be a factor, though.

Why not go to www.generalecology.com?

Doug”

“Some young men had one of these at a lake I dayhiked to over the weekend. According to them, an issue not covered in the instructions, was how to get it primed so it could pump. They turned the filter unside down, unscrewed the filter element housing, made sure the pump part was full of water so it would create a vacuum to draw water thru when you pumped, then screwed it all together again. Not sure if doing this once was all it took.”

“Hm, I never had to prime it; I just pumped away.”