MSR SweetWater Siltstopper

Adds a pre-filter to virtually any water filtration system.

I have an MSR Miniworks EX, and I use the Siltstopper on the intake hose for extra efficiency. It provides a much longer run time between cleanings for the main filter itself. Without the MSR Siltstopper, I would have to tear down and scrub the MiniWorks cartridge about every 3-5 Litres, but with the SiltStopper prefilter, I can go practically a week before needing to scrub the main filter cartridge.

Less scrubbing on the main filter means MORE litres of water without having to replace my Miniworks cartridge. It also means the water flows through the filter slightly faster and it's not as hard to pump against. A package of three SiltStopper replacement cartridges costs half as much as a new Miniworks replacement cartridge, and makes the Miniworks cartridge last longer... that's money in my pocket, and less time.

The MSR SiltStopper simply needs a quick backwash after each use, to dislodge the silt and larger particles that it has collected. Then it's ready for the next use.

The MSR Specifications say that the SiltStopper cartridge is a 25-micron filter. It weighs just under 1 ounce, so it doesn't add much weight to your gear, but it does take up a bit of space in the already restrictive MiniWorks mesh bag.

All-in-all, I think this little pre-filter does a reasonable job of speeding up and simplifying the water filtering process on a camping trip, allowing you to enjoy more of the environment. I think it also saves you a little bit of money by prolonging the life of your main filter cartridge. I call that a Win-Win.

I use this in a gravity-filter system before my Sawyer filter, to prolong the life of the Sawyer filter.

I have mixed feelings about this thing. It works, in that the filter pulls out lots of sediment so that it doesn't get through and clog the main filter. But it almost works a little too well. I always pick the cleanest water I can find, and even after about 8 liters (4 plattys full) it becomes so clogged that water stops flowing. I suppose without this inline, I would just be clogging my main (and expensive) filter.

I think I just need to carry a few spare filters, but to need one spare filter per day is an annoying option.

Overall, it does what it's supposed to do.