Do HydroBlu filters remove chemicals and heavy metals from water?
The Clear Flow, Sidekick, and Jerry Can do remove iron, lead, diesel fuel and much more through the use of activated carbon. The activated carbon removes 99.999% of all chemicals and heavy metals from your water. The Versa Flow does not remove chemicals or heavy metals. The Versa Flow removes bacteria and waterborne parasites, not chemicals.
Do HydroBlu filters remove viruses?
To remove viruses a filter needs to use a hollow fiber membrane of .02 microns. This is available as an add-on for the Jerry Can in the form of the Virus Ultrafiltration Hollow Fiber Replacement Filter. The Clear Flow and Sidekick have a hollow fiber membrane of .1 microns which blocks 99.999% of all bacteria and protozoan cysts.
How do the HydroBlu filters work?
The Clear Flow filter is a 2-stage filter that uses a hollow fiber membrane with a 0.1 micron pore size and an activated carbon module. The hollow fiber membrane has thousands of tiny little holes along the fiber. These holes allow water to pass through, but they block bacteria from getting through because the smallest bacteria is 1.0 micron small and cannot possibly fit through the 0.1 micron opening of the hollow fiber. The activated carbon module removes chlorine, sediment, VOC's, heavy metals, chemicals, negative taste and color from the water through a process adsorption. The pollutant molecules get trapped inside the pore structure of the carbon. Not only will you have safe water with the Clear Flow filter, but you will also have great tasting water. The Versa Flow filter uses a hollow fiber membrane with a 0.1 micron pore size. The hollow fiber membrane has thousands of tiny little holes along the fiber. These holes allow water to pass through, but they block bacteria from getting through because the smallest bacteria is 1.0 micron small and cannot possibly fit through the 0.1 micron opening of the hollow fiber. Neither filter has chemicals in the filter to remove contaminates and don't require batteries or pumps to work.
How long will the filters last?
Please see individual products for lifespan and care details.
What is the shelf life of the HydroBlu filters?
Please see individual products for lifespan and care details.
Can I backflush the HydroBlu filters?
Yes, you can backflush the Versa Flow, Sidekick (remove the activated carbon disk first), and the Ultrafiltration Hollow Fiber filter in the Jerry Can. We recommend that you occasionally do this to increase the life of the filter. The Clear Flow filter cannot be backflushed.
Do I need to be worried about temperatures?
We recommend that you do not store the filters in temperatures over 110F. If you leave water in your filter in freezing temperatures you can damage the hollow fiber. We recommend keeping your filter inside your jacket and near your body if you are in freezing conditions.
Can I drink pool water with the HydroBlu filters?
Yes, you can drink pool water with the Clear Flow, Sidekick (with activated carbon disk attached), and Jerry Can (with activated carbon filter installed). The activated carbon in these filters removes chlorine and other chemicals from the water. The Versa Flow does not remove chemicals from the water and we recommend not drinking from a pool with this filter.
Can I drink sea water with the HydroBlu filters?
No, HydroBlu filters cannot remove salt from sea water and should not be used with ocean water.