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Filta-Max System

World leader for the capture and recovery of Cryptosporidium and Giardia


  • The number one Cryptosporidium and Giardia analysis technique in the world.
  • The Filta-Max system consistently recovers high numbers of target organisms.
  • U.S. EPA Method 1623 and UK DWI-approved.
  • Large volumes of finished water or raw water can be sampled with one filter, providing high sensitivity.
     

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Overview

Proven technology
  • The Filta-Max system has been specifically designed to optimise both the capture and recovery of Cryptosporidiumand Giardia.
  • The filter is made of open-cell foam discs that have been compressed to give a nominal porosity for the capture of Cryptosporidium and Giardia.
  • After sampling, the foam is decompressed, enabling the captured organisms to be recovered by a simple washing and concentration procedure.

Respected
  • U.S. EPA Method 1623 and UK DWI-approved.
  • More Cryptosporidium and Giardia tests are done worldwide using the Filta-Max system than all other filtration technologies combined.
Superior performance
  • Consistently recovers high numbers of target organisms.
  • High volumes of both finished water (up to and above 1000 liters) and raw water (up to 50 liters) can be filtered to provide greater sensitivity.
  • Samples can be concentrated to 25 mL without centrifugation.
  • The filter operates at sampling flow rates of up to 4 liters per minute.

Science

How the Filta-Max system works

The Filta-Max module comprises multiple layers of open-cell foam discs that are compressed to create a filter with a nominal pore size to effectively trap Cryptosporidium and Giardia. After sampling, the filter is processed by releasing the compression of the foam discs and washing, enabling all captured material to be recovered. It is a simple yet extremely efficient system.

Filtration
To sample, the filter module is placed in a reusable housing, which is attached to the required sampling source. A head pressure of 0.5 Bar (7.5 psi) is required to create a flow, and the recommended operating pressure is 5 Bar (75 psi). This pressure will create a flow rate of 4 liters per minute, which is particularly beneficial when sampling large volumes of water.

 

Recovery
After filtration, the module is removed from the housing and placed in the wash station. IDEXX provides both an automatic wash station and a manual version. The foam discs are decompressed by removing a bolt in the module and then washed with an elution buffer using expansion/compression cycles.

The volume of buffer is then reduced to between 25 and 50 mL by concentrating through a membrane, negating the need for high-volume centrifugation.

How to use

Videos

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Instructions

Step 1

Connect the housing to the required water source for sampling

Step 2

Remove the filter module from the housing.

Step 3

Place the module in a wash station and wash with elution buffer.

Step 4: 

Concentrate the wash buffer using a 3-µm membrane.

Step 5

Repeat steps 3 and 4 to give a final volume of 25 mL.

Frequently asked questions

 

Yes. In April 2000, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved the Filta-Max system for use in Method 1623.

Yes, the Filta-Max system is also approved by the UK government for the regulatory sampling of 1,000 liters drinking water.

The system is efficient for both raw and finished water. The filter has been approved for sampling 50 liters of raw water in Method 1623 by the US EPA. Other U.S. EPA-approved filters are limited to sampling 10 liters of raw water. The Filta-Max system is approved in the UK for sampling 1,000 liters of finished water.

The Filta-Max system can operate at a flow rate of up to 4 liters per minute.

The shelf life is 18 months from the date of manufacture. Store module in a dry place (16°C–24°C), away from direct sunlight. Do not freeze. Do not refrigerate prior to use.

The filter should be transported either in the reusable housing or in a watertight resealable bag along with several milliliters of reagent-grade water.

Recoveries are consistently in excess of the minimum required by the regulations.

The Filta-Max system is approximately half the cost of other U.S. EPA-approved filters.

Variability is low. Relative standard deviations are up to 50% lower than other U.S. EPA-approved filters.

Resources & Tools

Resources

IDEXX Water has reference materials and approval documents to support the many products in our water portfolio. Find the document(s) you need by selecting the link below.

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Water Customer Support

IDEXX Laboratories Canada Corp.
1345 Denison Street
Markham, Ontario
L3R 5V2

1-416-798-4988
1-800-667-3411

Corporate Headquarters
IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.
One IDEXX Drive
Westbrook, Maine 04092 USA

Tel: 1-800-321-0207
Fax: 1-207-556-4630

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