BerkeyAuthentic Berkey PF-2 Fluoride and Arsenic Reduction Elements (Set of 2 Elements)

Authentic Berkey filters.I received these filters a couple days ago and the only issue I encountered was due to operator error. 🤣 I misread the instructions and forgot to remove the black plugs from each end of the first filter. Water sprayed everywhere while I tried to get water to go through a capped filter!One thing I did differently...Instructions say to run water through one end and after the water runs clear, repeat this step on the opposite end of the filter and then you're done prepping the filters. After I ran water through both ends, I went back to the first end and tried it again and it was cloudy again so I ran it some more and then did the same for the other side. I flipped back and forth 3-4 times until I didn't see cloudiness.After I installed the new white filters I noticed a faster drip rate. (I was way overdue for replacing these. )Tips:1) Our black Berkey filters aren't due for replacement yet so I didn't not remove them from the upper tank because I didn't want to mess with thread integrity of the plastic screws. Also, there's no need to remove the black filters when swapping out the white filters.2) Berkey recommends scrubbing the outside of the black filters occasionally to maintain filter life. I've never done this, but using a new kitchen brush and water (no soap!) , I scrubbed the sides of the black filters and then rinsed them and the upper chamber several times.

Helps to keep out floride in water, works with Berkey

I am the person that usually gets generic brands for disposable things but I don't compromise when it comes about water quality. These filters are absolutely worth it. I don't own Berkley system though, I got a generic brand off Amazon but use these genuine filters because I am confident my family will get quality water. last a long time.

I had purchased an off brand of these filters and discovered that they had molded horribly in just two months so went back to the originals, which have always provided superior service

I always buy real Berkey replacement filters. They do a great job of filtering water fairly quickly. I just wish they weren't so expensive!

I had to replace my barely used PF-2 fluoride filters in my Royal Berkey because I allowed them to dry out completely through a use hiatus. It is frustrating that this particular MAJOR CAVEAT is not mentioned more clearly for the consumers, and I'm sure that many Berkey owners end up resuming the use of the dried out filters unknowingly. I only found out that PF-2 filters MUST be discarded after it's been allowed to dry out after I contacted a Berkey support. On a further web search, if you're not actively using the PF-2 filters, you need to remove them and store it in the refrigerator (not freezer) for only short term to prevent them drying out and to discourage pathogen growth on the media. You must flush them before resuming use before re-install. If PF-2 filters have ever been activated/primed/wet, the clock starts ticking and you must keep the medias wet and replace them after 1 year or 1,000 gallons filtering, whichever comes first. Many Berkey users buy the costly system not only for daily water filtering, but to use for emergency survival backup system, so this is quite disappointing.The filter setup is cumbersome and must be followed very carefully. Because of so many recent negative reviews for Berkey as a whole, I actually ended up trying another water filter instead of buying replacement PF-2 filters. However, that ended up being a failed experiment, so I proceeded to order the replacement PF-2 filters. I purged the fluoride filters for total of 6 minutes each (2 minutes x3 changing the flow direction) instead of the recommended 20 seconds x2 past water running clear (using a strong thumb pressure on top of the faucet against the purging button for complete water seal with water spraying everywhere occasionally!), and made sure to turn the filters exactly 8 full revolutions. There was some resistance to tightening at 6 1/2 revolutions, so I was actually afraid of puncturing the internal filter media screen while following the install instruction for the full 8 turns because the Berkey rep pointed out that's causative to many reported problems. I may have been overzealous in my purging effort, but my PF-2 filtered water tested at 59 ppm for TDS and the water stayed absolutely clear. Without the PF-2 filters installed (double filtered with Filtrete Maximum), the Berkey water tests at 79 ppm.Berkey really should've improved the filter design to make it more fool-proof since its introduction a long years ago. Also, many reports of the main black filter manufacturing defects (forums & reviews) should prompt you to run a red dye (must be non-organic) test as soon as you receive your system so that you may return/exchange a defective element. If the black elements are not functioning properly, it'll drastically shorten the PF-2 filters service duration.When I initially contacted Berkey with my concerns over many of the critical reviews, including one in particular which stated that PF-2 removes flourosilicates only, the Berkey agent disagreed and shared a recent lab result done on 2/18/2018 by an NELAC ISO accredited lab.----Accumulated Volume, Influent Water FluorideConcentration in mg/L, Influent Water pH, TDS inmg/L, Effluent Fluoride Concentration in mg/L, Fluoride % Reduction.Start, 3.82, 6.46, 327, 0.10, 97.45 gallons, 3.82, 6.46, 327, 0.06, 98.425 gallons, 3.75, 6.48, 320, 0.07, 98.150 gallons, 3.79, 6.52, 318, 0.07, 98.275 gallons, 3.80, 6.51, 310, 0.07, 98.2100 gallons, 3.80, 6.52, 312, 0.11, 97.1----Your water PH level should be between 5-7 (closer to 5 the better, my PH is near 7), or the efficiency of the media will decline. Berkey also states that the PF-2 media will remove any types of inorganic fluoride salts soluble in water(sodium fluoride, sodicum fluorosilicate & calcium fluoride) along with fluorosilicic acid (aka hydro-fluosilicic acid). It also removes arsenic V and pre-oxidized arsenic III along with other residual heavy metal ions.There are many reviews concerning aluminum detection/suspension, but Berkey uses aluminum oxide (Al2O3) which is a safe non-toxic bio-compatible ceramic (corundum as in rubies and sapphires), different from the toxic aluminum metal. Lab testing can result in a false positive by counting the separated pure aluminum ion from the oxygen component. The use of activated alumina is one of three EPA and WQA recommended methods for removing fluoride, the other two being Bone char carbon (cheaper and not as effective) and reverse osmosis. Appropriated purged, installed, and maintained PF-2 filters most likely will not result in cloudy particulate in filtered water unless due to unexpected manufacturing defect. Be sure to order yours from a trusted reseller source to avoid counterfeit/used filters. The water temperature rises during the activation so you should definitely notice warm cloudy water during the initial filter purging procedure.I am taking a star off for the aforementioned issues and for the persistent deficit in manufacturing design improvement endeavors along with the specific PH requirements. However, I can't find as effective competing gravity-fed system that filters above 97.* % of fluoride short of going full-on reverse osmosis or steam distillation that strip water of beneficial trace minerals unless using re-mineralization for taste and health. I will monitor the TDS level steadily to track the reduction of its efficiency throughout the use duration; after just 20 gallons refill, the TDS went up 10 ppm, so I will reverse-flow flush the PF-2 element continually during monthly chamber maintenance.Berkey water makes the best coffee.

We've had our Berkey for over a year. The fluoride filters are the main reason we purchased a Berkey. They are only good for six months. I tested my water twice to verify this. Our water comes from a well and is naturally fluoridated at about .9 ppm (parts per million). I tested a filter by purchasing a kit through 3M (about $20) after seven months of use and the water tested at 0.79 ppm. I replaced the filter and tested after about a month and the water came back to 0.06 ppm. Hardly any fluoride! I am curious to test my water again at the five month mark but not sure I want to spend an additional $20. I think I will just stick to the manufacturer's recommendation of changing out ever six months. Overall, this is the way to go if you want to remove fluoride from your drinking water.After seeing multiple reviews state that their water tested so high for fluoride I would be curious to ask when they tested their water. They might have misunderstood the directions and be using their filters after six months. The black filters can be used indefinitely, but the fluoride filters lose effectiveness after six months of use. Another possibility is the ph of their tap water. I think the ph of your water can affect the effectiveness. I am not a scientist but have read that the filters work better with slightly acidic water (pH range of 5.5 - 6.5 and generally don't work well if the water is neutral (pH = 7) or more alkaline (higher pH). So if you want to be sure that your filter will work to filter out fluoride you could test the ph of your tap water first.