DIY Multi Stage Water Filtration system

Build your own multi stage water filtration system from easy to buy parts. No special tools required. Total cost around $150 with replacement filters available at your local store.

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[guysolis]

So I had an under counter filtration system I just dumped because it would spontaneously leak and flood the kitchen. It did good to fill glasses or a few water bottles but that's it. I wanted to fill large containers with filtered water and I built something like you built here, mounted it to a 2 by 4 and used an RV hose from the outside faucet through the filters and out to another hose. Works great..Good video.

[stuartsmith]

Using your drill press to start your tap is the best way to start a perpendicular thread. Don’t turn the drill press on, just hand turn the chuck while applying a little pressure and you feel the tap start to pull into the product. Great video and thanks for sharing.

[larryseibold]

nice! i really like your install gauge in the filter mod. really clean, small footprint and low cost.

I have a few suggestions, not criticisms. 1) to measure the pressure drop across any of the filters, normal water flow must be present, like 2.5 gpm. if there is no flow, even with a terribly clogged filter, the pressure will show exactly the supply pressure (no drop). 2) i would try to install a bypass valve around an in/out at the end of the string of filters so that you can service the setup at your leisure, while the house supply is unaffected. 3) i would have at least one union in the filter string (two is better) to allow the section to be removed as a unit and fixed for leaks or other failures that invariably occur, as well as allow for sweating near the plastic. 4) having one of the filters be a GAC will lower the chlorine in the water prior to the softener and thus extend the resin life substantially.

[rogerwhiting]

I have good town supplied water. I jave exactly the same Dupont filter system..
And its bullet proof. The ones with shutoffs all leak someday. I just use a charcoal filter to the refrigerator for better tasting water..and ice. Personally...I would want to be able to separate the filter housings in case of a leak. A union seems ideal. Next..if you had a tee between housings and installed the pressure gauge there...no drilling or tapping. These are just my thoughts after owning several homes and systems. Your design and video are good.

[ВладиВосток]

Awesome tutorial - on filter housing pressure gauges are sick! Definitely will implement! Huge thanks!

[BuildswithBrian]

Nice work Dr. Ray,
One possible suggestion would be to use the union on both sides of your water filter so you don’t have to solder so close to the plastic

[kingsfamily]

I LOVE this idea, but have a couple of question regarding this wonderful unit?

1. What filters can be used to reduce lead or heavy metals?
2. Do the filters remove all beneficial, naturally occurring minerals?

Thank you so much sir! I appreciate you!

[thSonProductions]

Hey, Ray, I installed your setup just as you described yesterday and all went well. I Used 3/4 copper unions on each end of the filters though in case I need to take them off completely or something. My only problem is I have the tiniest drip between the first and second filter housing from the nipple. (It's outside so no real big deal.) Maybe if I had gone one more rotation, but I didn't want to go too much. Also, I'm using all three of the filters that came with the housing right now. I figure those filters will catch all the flux and metal taste that comes from sweating the pipes. I'll do three different types when these need changing. Thanks for the step by step instructions. By the way, this is the same type filtration setup I used to set up in my darkrooms a long time ago to develop and wash film and complete archival washing of black and white prints.

[Lhostel]

Great vid thank you.
I have a question. If the first filter in line clogs and drops in pressure wouldn’t the other two show the same drop?

[davidbrown]

Dupont filter housing is still available at Home Depot as of 4/18/2023 ($25.48 each)

[traviswinterrowd]

Great video. I am looking to do something similar for a whole house filter. I am trying to decide if I need to step up to a 4.5 dia filter or the 20” 2.5 dia filters in order to avoid too big of a lose on volume. What is your experience with the smaller filters? Do you have any issues if you are using multiple appliances or spigots?
Thanks in advance.

[SteveSchmidt-tr]

I see that you didn't experience a pressure drop using the 2.5" filters. Wouldn't the 4.5"x10", or even 20", last a lot longer between changes?

[BlackTownie]

If I was to add an activated carbon filter to this to filter the chlorine stuff out of my water which ones would you get?
some of the amazon reviews with pictures to prove it aren't so great on the carbon filters

[gcraig]

For those with different filtration needs, you can use the same setup but instead of just using different micron rating sediment filters you could set up one like the one I have, which starts out with a sediment filter, followed by a scale reducing filter, and then by a charcoal filter for removal of chlorine and other taste problems. There are several different kinds of filters used for specific purposes related to your particular water supply. Lead is one that may be needed by those who have old lead containing mains for instance.

[eljugado]

Thanks for the video. Can I install the filter 1 inch from the water heater tank?

[shannoncraig]

I know this video is 5 years old, but I just came across your channel. Why would you put a paper filter in one of the filter holders? Doesn’t make sense to me, to run water through paper.

[JROC]

Great video!

Is this a good system if you use well water? I don't think my house uses a filtration system like this, but we did when I used to run a waterjet as you want the water going into it to be very clean. I think something like this would also be good to use to fill up things like a vehicles cooling systems (obviously don't forget to add the correct amount of antifreeze) so that you don't get a bunch of contaminants in it when doing a system flush. Buying a bunch of distilled gallon jugs gets old, and very filtered water ran thru progressively finer micron filters should be nearly as good as distilled water I would think even though they're not the same thing.?.?

[ldm]

1st one is paper filter? Then 10 micron then 30 micron? Thanks

[joshuasaylor]

Would you install this after the water heater or before ?

[garyheaton]

That pipe wrench looked big enough to tighten the world! Laugh.