Ideal pore size for mesh pre-filter (gravity filtration setup)

It would be nice if there was an article discussing the different options for making a gravity filter and the pros and cons of each. Maybe there is but I havent found it.

There’s been multiple threads on this topic over the years, some started by myself.  But like I said, I’m too lazy to look them up.  Off the top of my head, I recall that pre-filters should be around 10-100 microns.  Does that sound right?

I put a pre-filter in my DIY gravity setup – just used an aquarium sponge, but no idea what the hole side is.  This is just to capture big stuff from going into your sawyer filter.  I was experimenting with a Platypus charcoal pre-filter this weekend, in front of the Sawyer mini.  It slowed down the flow, but not significantly.  My understanding is it will improve the taste if the water has a chemical taste but isn’t necessary for filtration.

I will say I had a sawyer that was used about a year ago, and it was completely blocked – back flushing didn’t make much difference, but a new one I bought at the same time worked great – about 2:20 to filter a quart with the pre-filter inline ahead of it.  Removing the pre-filter dropped the time to about 1:10 per quart.  To replace the mini, I’m going to try a Sawyer squeeze instead.

None of this answers your question directly.  I’ve read where others make their own charcoal pre-filter, but I don’t recall any specific mesh mechanisms.

Here’s an older pic of my DIY gravity without the pre-filter.