Part D: Troubleshooting - Parker SciLog LabTec Installation, Operating, & Maintenance Instructions

Troubleshooting the Filters:
1. Your filter should be changed on a regular basis. Try to choose a filter size that will
accommodate the total volume you need filtered in a day, the flow rate you need through
the filter.
2. Sterilizing filters have a pore size of 0.22 microns. If you have a very "dirty" solution, you may
want to send your solution through a series of filters, such as first through a pore size of
5 microns to catch the very big, chunky particulate matter and then through the 0.22 micron
filter to sterilize
3. Be sure that you have dissolved your media before beginning to filter.
4. You may want to heat the media a little to ensure and speed the dissolving.
5. Be sure to slow the pump down during the priming of the filter.
6. If you are filtering a broth when the solution is hot, allow the temperature to decrease a
little before you filter.
7. Go to the next larger size filter if you need to higher capacity or need to use a much faster
pump speed.
Reusing Sterilizing Filters:
1. Chose a filter size that will accommodate the total volume you typically need in a day. For best
results use the proper sized filter for your job size.
2. If you have a large sterilizing cartridge filter and you have "used" only a fraction of its life, you
can carefully remove it from its tubing connections and wrap it in plastic wrap and place in your
refrigerator. There it must be kept at 4 °C. It can be stored in this manner for several days.
When you want to reuse the filter, carefully reattach tubing connections and use.
3. If you have a "used" filter and would like to reuse it, it is possible to back flush the filter with
sterile water, autoclave and then reuse. This procedure should not be repeated more than once,
since there is the possibility of repeated autoclaving separating the filter housing from the filter
layers. This procedure is not recommended, but is possible.
4. For best results use the proper sized filter for your job size. Consider the costs of a sterilizing
filter as a consumable, which is less expensive than autoclaving.
5. "Squeezing" too much life out of a filter will tend to produce unacceptable results.
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