Aquamira Frontier Pro Water Filter – Recommend?

You will need to use it in conjunction with with chlorine dioxide for your lightest option or with the Steripen for your quiclkest option. To use it on it's own, may not be your safest option as it will not remove all nasties. AP filter has carbon in filter so it will go some way to removing taste from chlorine dioxide. It is also sensible to pre-filter when using Steripen.

EDIT: As Ben clarifies procedure below, I'll add here that Aq Frontier means that waiting time with chlorine dioxide is reduced to 20 mins. I learnt what I know from Benjamin's posts

The Katadyn Hiker has a pore size of 0.3 micron. You should know that the Aquamira pore size is a full 10X bigger — 3.0 microns! For reference some bacteria measure about 2 microns.

IMO, the Micropur Frontier Pro by itself is a toy that gives a false sense of security. In other words, I would rather carry an effective tool that weighs 14 oz. than waste my effort carrying 2oz. of useless gear. If water is contaminated, any filter that has a pore size 50% bigger than bacteria is useless to me.

However, if you want to save a lot of weight and don't mind a 20-minute waiting time — then you can do this instead:

1. Carry a tiny bottle of household bleach (costs and weighs next to nothing) — and add 4-6 drops per quart or liter of water and wait 20 minutes.

2. Once treated (bleach will kill bacteria and viruses) — you can rely on the 2oz. Aquamira Frontier Pro to block the bigger-and-harder-to-kill protozoa (e.g. giardia, crypto, etc.) — and clarify water and improve taste — including the removal of chlorine taste.

This is the system I use. By combining chemicals and mechanical, the waiting time is much less than using chemicals alone — and the weight is much less than relying on filtering alone.

Ben I thought you recommended tablet rather than liquid.

Hi Darryl:

Strictly choosing between chlorine dioxide liquid vs. tablet — I would definitely choose the latter. No contest IMO.

However, when comparing to other options out there — I am unimpressed with chlorine dioxide's LONG treatment time when protozoa might be an issue and especially with cold water sources! We all have different levels of patience… a 20 minute wait time is fine with me — but not an hour or two — never mind four hours!

One can reduce treatment time to 20 minutes reliably and still maintain a very compact and lightweight set up by pairing chlorine dioxide with Frontier Pro — letting the chemicals kill the tiny and easy to kill stuff (viruses and bacteria) — and then relying on the light and simple filter to block out the larger stuff (protozoa).

But then, if the chemicals only need to deal with bacteria and viruses — why spend money on expensive chlorine dioxide when ultra-cheap household bleach can do the same just as quickly and effectively?

Finally, for people who don't mind carrying a few ounces more but don't want to wait for their water — the UV Steripen you mentioned up above is an excellent option.

The steripen and tabs like micropur can complement each other well. I use the steripen during the day at stops when time is an issue, and use the micropur overnight when I have much more than 4 hours to spare. Micropur tabs weigh almost nothing, and provide a backup to the steripen while also easing some of the load on its batteries. Adding the frontier pro to this system would provide another level of protection and redundancy and make for a very robust setup.

James

I got a Frontier Pro last year and used it on a 5 day hike in the Northern Sierra. I like the Frontier Pro as part of a kit that also includes Aqua Mira chemical treatment bottled in a mini BPL dropper. The weight penalty is minimal on a multi-day trip because you can carry less Aqua Mira than if you did not have the Frontier Pro. I liked the Frontier Pro because it is instant, but I only used it instead of Aqua Mira chemical treatment when I reached a water source and was dry and thirsty and didn't want to wait 20 minutes. When I had more time and wanted to treat a full liter I would use Aqua Mira that I had rebottled in mini BPL dropper bottles. In the Sierra where you hike Kent, the Frontier Pro is probably good enough to keep you safe because it catches giardia, which is your main concern. One issue is that it does not filter very much very quickly so you find yourself sucking on a bottle that doesn't give you as much water as you want very quickly. As a result, I also carried Aqua Mira as I mentioned.
Overall, the frontier pro added some instant convenience to a chlorine dioxide-based system, but, for me, did not replace it.

Many thanks to all, especially Benjamin & Jeremy!

If anyone else has thoughts, I'm all ears…

Benjamin – I think yours is the method closest to what I had in mind re: simplicity/dependability & fiddle-factor.

Jeremy – Sucking water through the Frontier may have to be the "price" for this system. I'll have to decide. To help this: I've used Katadyn's micro filter bottle once(filter inside the bottle). Didn't like how hard I had to suck on it, so this could be a "deal breaker" on the Frontier. Have you tried one? Are you able to pass on a knowledgeable comparison?

Thanks!

Kent

I'm still testing this gizmo at home, trying to set up a gravity filter system similar to what Ben recommends (and shown on the Jason Klass video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSYWoplv_Uo&feature=channel_page). It certainly seems to be the answer to avoiding the long ClO2 treatment time (and resultant carrying of extra water) to get rid of protozoan cysts (giardia). I wouldn't use the Aquamira filter alone because it does not do anything for bacteria (like e coli).

My results so far: The Aquamira filter is a LOT slower than my ULA Amigo Pro gravity filter (which, at 7.5 oz., is already lighter than most pump filters). I will certainly continue to use the Amigo Pro for short trips or for group trips. I wouldn't want to filter water for more than myself with the Aquamira filter. I'm still experimenting with the configuration–I don't use a hydration system so want to use as short a hose as possible. So far I haven't found that hose length appears to make much difference, but I need to do some more detailed testing with stopwatch and varying hose lengths to find out for sure. I'll report when I'm done with the testing.

I personally had many problems with the Steripen and returned it after one trip. I have an account of this in Reader Reviews. If nothing else, take plenty of ClO2 tablets as backup!

Kent:

You're welcome! Sucking water through the Frontier Pro requires just a little bit more effort than without. I used it on my hike up Mt. Whitney without problems at all.

Mary:

In gravity mode, it takes my Aquamira Frontier Pro about 2.5 minutes to filter 1 liter or quart of water. Not lightning fast, but pretty OK when in camp.

However, for solo use, I rarely use gravity mode (more a personal preference than anything else). When hiking, I connect the filter to the end of my hydration tube (the filter comes with its own bite valve). When at camp, I find it just easier to screw the filter directly onto my Platypus and drink that way.

I think that Aquamira Frontier Pro + chlorine dioxide or chlorine drops are very hard to beat with my style of hiking and area of the country.

Extremely light weight solution, as a whole, and plenty of redundancy for back-up.

The fiddle factor and “suck” factor of the Aquamira Frontier Pro can be easily addressed.

Here is my solution, which I have used several times since April of last year and will probably be using again in a week.
3.6 oz Frontier Pro gravity filter

If you figure liters/min it may seem a little slow, but I hike with guys with all sorts of bigger, heavier, super fast pumps, and I am always done first. I don’t even take my 2 liter (or 1 liter or 1.8 liter depending on which pack I use) Platy bag out of my pack. Plus I can munch on a power bar or something while they are pumping.

Chris:

Nothing earth-shattering, but if you pair chemicals with the Frontier Pro, why not switch to household bleach and save some money?

Micropur tablets – $12.95 for 30 – 43 cents per liter
Bleach – $1.50 a gallon – 90,840 drops in a gallon – using just 5 drops per liter – basically $0 per liter.

Ben – one possibility is if the Frontier Pro clogs, and you have tablets, then you have a backup plan for protozoa. With bleach you don't have that.

Kent: I haven't used the Katadyn, so I don't have any way to compare. It does take some getting used to sucking the water through, but overall I like the system. One other thing: When you use a 20 oz soda bottle as your water bottle like I typically do, sucking the water through causes it to collapse due to the pressure and then you have to briefly loosen it to make the bottle reshape. This does not occur with soft side bottles like platys.

Dan:

True, although being the somewhat impatient person that I am… back in the days when I relied solely on Micropur, I seldom if ever waited 1-4 hours for my water. Thus, to me, chlorine dioxide's protozoa-killing advantage is more theoretical than practical. YMMV on this one, of course.

But yes, what will happen if my Frontier Pro gets clogged up and all I have is a small bottle of chlorine? Firstly, I mitigate by always using a metallic mesh coffee filter ("prefilter") and I keep an eye on the Aquamira's own 'sponge' prefilter — to make sure it doesn't get too clogged up. But if/when clogging does occur, I can:

1. Fill the 'dirty' Platypus bladder with some water and super-chlorinate it (chlorine can kill anything — just that the concentration required to kill protozoa is so high that it makes the water virtually undrinkable). Then wait 30 minutes (or more).

2. Connect to filter's output — and 'back flush' the filter with the above super-chlorinated water.

3. Refill bladder and connect to filter as normal. Filter out some water first — then use as normal.

Ben, if you read my post, you'll see that I listed chlorine as an option. Maybe I should have said sodium hypochlorite?

But anyway, I don't use it personally because I hate the taste and I'm not broke.

Personally, I much prefer liquid Aquamira. Runs me around $12/year, maybe a little more.

If I was really broke I would switch from Esbit to alcohol, Enertia meals to home dehydrated, carbon fiber to aluminum poles, etc.

Ain't sayin' it won't happen, but (knock wood) it ain't yet!

As for a clogged Frontier Pro?
That hasn't happened yet either, but it could in a given situation.
Around here (s.e. US) it is VERY seldom that I am forced to use cloudy, silty water. When that situation arises, I allow more time for the silt to settle below the intake tube in my gravity feed bag. I also carry (and daily visually check) one of the extra fiber-fill pre-filters that come with the Frontier Pro. That stops the chunks of dried leaves or whatever. If I was that concerned about it on a given trip I could bring an extra Frontier Pro for around a 1 oz penalty (sans cover, bite valve, tube, etc). Still MUCH lighter and way less work than my field cleanable 8oz Katadyn ceramic Mini pump that has been on many trips with me.

Chris:

I too hate the taste of household bleach (obviously) — and chlorine dioxide (tablet and liquid) as well. One great thing about the Aquamira Frontier Pro: when you suck treated water through the filter — it removes all the chemical taste.

YMMV of course, but to me, it's not a matter of being broke or not. I simply asked myself the wisdom of paying more for chlorine dioxide when I am simply asking it to do what household bleach can do equally well (i.e. treating bacteria and viruses — but relying on filter to block protozoa).

As well, I haven't experienced a clogged Frontier Pro either. My post above — dealing with it in case it ever gets clogged — is in response to Dan's post. I do not feel the need for chlorine dioxide as a backup (as explained above) — and in any case, I question the practicality of its protozoa-killing advantage (to me anyway) when it requires such long treatment times.

Oh, yeah… I understand completely.

Sometimes (in camp?) I have been known to treat water (with aquamira) in the gravity bag and just leave it there over night. Other times I filter and then treat while it's in my pack, while drinking (or just downing) water from previous bag.

Just nice to have options, you know?

Depending on availability, immediate need, required speed of a given hike, and proximity to camp, whether or not I'll be camping near a water source, not to mention whether or not I planned appropriately, all play into my method at a given time. I like the flexibility of it the most, I think.

edit:
I really don't mind the taste factor of chlorine dioxide!

http://aquagearsurvivor.co.uk/completekit.html

I like these. For the weight of the 'survivor' you're getting a bottle too, or there is an 'inline' version.

Filters, purifies and removes many chemicals – but do read the specs, research and satisfy yourself – I'm no health expert.

Seems to pass our Ministry of Defense (MoD) requirements etc, etc.

(no company affiliation – just think it's a good product)

Jim:

The Aquagear seems to do everything — but I find the site quite confusing to read! On the one hand, it states effective treatment of bacteria, protozoa and viruses. Great. OTOH — it also says:

"Aquagear Filter bottle 1st stage pre filter in bottle base – Maintainable . Porous carbon filter , ceramic filter, micro filtration unit to remove taste, presence of any added iodine or chlorine and remove up to 99.9% ABCD's of water contaminants. Use optional steri chlor (supplied) where water may be questionable eg. contains waterborne virus."

Clicking over to UK's backpackinglight website and reading up on "Drink-safe" — the site mentions a 2.0 microns pore size. That's comparable to the Seychelle filter — and not really effective in capturing the smaller bacteria.

So can the filter itself really do it all? Or is it still a combo chemicals plus filter system when bacteria and/or viruses are present?

Benjamin – as stated I'm no expert but the Q&A page states the following:

Q. How do I treat water that might be questionable and contain viral disease causatives in it?

A. Our 'All in One' filters contain pre purification filters,a purification device, post purification filter and post purification medias proven up to 600 litres in UK Government tests over 3 months and 150 separate tests. We used live disease causatives to prove our systems as a stand alone product when used as directed.

Good practice dictates occasional pre dosing of pre filter reservoir with steritab or similar purification to keep this free of micro organisms and causatives. The micro filter is designed to remove these purification chemicals and provide clean tasting water- Safe to drink.

FWIW I'm planning on using the Frontier Pro on a thru hike of the Superior Hiking Trial in 2 months. I'll be using tablets for pre-filter treatment, and considered them a backup in case the filter clogs. I like Chris's idea of carrying a backup filter for only 1 ounce.

I as just concerned because I heard directly from a guy who hiked the same trail and the heavy tannins in the Northern MN water supposedly clogged his Frontier Pro in a matter of days (his review is also on on backpackgeartest.org). I don't know if he was pre-filtering with a metal coffee filter like you do (and I plan on).

I'll also have a my Bush Buddy, so I can boil as much water as I want if I needed to.

Jim – Thanks for the added feedback. Looks like it is a combination" of chemicals followed by a filter that will block protozoa and also remove the purifying chemicals' bad taste.

Dan – Nothing like a thruhike to thoroughly test out gear. Have tons of fun, Dan — and be sure to report back about the Frontier Pro!

You aren't kidding about testing gear. I'm going on a one or two weekend trips before the mid-May thru hike (205 miles in 12 days). Otherwise, it'll be the maiden voyage for a lot of new gear.

The Frontier Pro has me the most nervous for some reason – first time ever leaving the ol' hiker pump at home. I'm also fearing the wrath of the wife if it doesn't pan out – she's doing the first 1/2 with me. I may just slip the pump into her pack when she's not looking. ;)

> That's comparable to the Seychelle filter

Ben, I believe that it is, in fact the Seychelle filter.
Just the UK's distributor's version.