What are the differences between the Black Berkey and Coldstream FTO+ filters?
What is the best option for your health?
Water filters play a crucial role in the purification of drinking water.
Today, we're comparing two popular solutions: Black Berkey filters and Coldstream FTO+ filters, while exploring their respective benefits and medium- and long-term limitations.
The composition of Black Berkey filters:
Black Berkey filters are made from a (non-active) coconut carbon alloy combined with five other specialized materials. This combination allows for an adsorption process that effectively reduces biological and chemical contaminants through mechanical filtration and adsorption.
Unlike activated carbon filters, Black Berkeys are designed to last up to 21,700 liters before requiring replacement, several years of regular use.
The limits of the longevity of Black Berkey filters:
Although Black Berkeys have a long lifespan, their ability to remove certain contaminants, such as chemicals and heavy metals, may decrease over time.
Their effectiveness on fluorine is a notable example: after a few hundred liters, Black Berkey filters begin to weaken and require the addition of optional PF2 filters to continue to protect against fluoride. However, these PF2 filters come at a high additional cost for those looking for long-term fluoride protection.
However, their performance for the elimination of bacteria (log 6), viruses (log 4), as well as parasites and cysts remains constant throughout their lifetime.
The ceramic and activated carbon of Coldstream FTO+ filters:
Coldstream FTO+ filters are distinguished by their diatomaceous earth-based ceramic composition, combined with high-quality activated carbon that provides superior adsorption performance. This innovative blend ensures optimal filtration of bacteria, viruses, parasites, cysts, heavy metals and chemicals, providing purer and safer drinking water.
In addition, Coldstream FTO+ filters offer strong protection against nitrates, a rare aspect among gravity filters. Indeed, few gravity filters can compete on this point.
Thanks to this state-of-the-art composition, Coldstream FTO+ filters are recognized as the best quality filters on the market.
Why do activated carbon filters need to be replaced every 6 months?
Activated charcoal is extremely effective at absorbing a wide variety of contaminants, but its pores become saturated over time, limiting its lifespan. That's why Coldstream FTO+ filters should be replaced every 6 months or after 1,500 liters for a pair of filters to maintain optimal performance.
In the long term, this consistency in filtration ensures continuous protection against heavy metals, chemicals, and other hazardous pollutants.
Coldstream FTO+ filters: a solution for complete drinking water autonomy
Coldstream FTO+ filters not only perform well in terms of filtration, but they also offer true drinking water autonomy.
By effectively reducing biological contaminants (bacteria, viruses, cysts, parasites) and chemical contaminants (heavy metals, pesticides, PFAS, etc.) through mechanical filtration and adsorption, according to NSF/ANSI testing protocols 42, 53, 401, and P23, these filters are perfect for those looking to ensure safe access to drinking water, even in situations where the supply may be compromised.
If you are not yet equipped, the Pure Filters systems of Family 12L, Home 9L, or Voyager 6L are ideal options to pair with the Coldstream FTO+ filters for total autonomy.
Comparison of contaminant removal rates for Black Berkey and Coldstream FTO+ filters
| CONTAMINANTS | COLDSTREAM FTO+ | BLACK BERKEY |
| Bacteria | 99.9999% (log 6) | 99.9999% (log 6) |
| Viruses | 99.99% (log 4) | 99.99% (log 4) |
| Chlorine | 99.9% at the beginning, 80.5% after 3000 L | 99.9%, but may decrease over time |
| Heavy metals (lead, mercury, cadmium) | More than 99% | Variable according to saturation (up to 95%) |
| Chemicals (pesticides, herbicides) | More than 99% | 99%, but variable over time |
| Fluoride | 97.5% at the beginning, decreases after 3000 L | Weakens after a few hundred liters, requires PF2 filters |
| Nitrates | 98,2 % | No protection |
| Parasites and cysts | 99,9 % | 99.9%, does not decrease over time |
| Particulate matter (microplastics) | 99,9 % | 99,9 % |
|
Lifespan |
1500 L or 6 months for a pair |
Up to 21700 L, with reduced performance over time (except for cysts, bacteria, viruses, parasites) |
Conclusion
The choice between Black Berkey and Coldstream FTO+ filters depends on your priorities.
If you're looking for a more durable solution with a long lifespan, Black Berkeys are an attractive option, especially for their ability to maintain consistent filtration for bacteria, viruses, parasites, and cysts. However, their low long-term protection against fluoride and lack of protection against nitrates can be major drawbacks.
For those who value consistent and effective filtration at all levels, including nitrate protection and stable fluoride, FTO+ filters, combined with the 12L, 9L, or 6L Pure Filters systems or for your Berkey system, are the best choice to ensure pure water and long-term drinking water autonomy.