Last month I asked about cheaper alternatives for Elite spares
(specifically waste and sheath filters) and had several useful
responses. The one we used was from Coulter UK offering us some
filters at a much more reasonable price (Thanks folks).
So the number one option for convenience has to be to see what is
available from Coulter themselves. Other alternatives that were
suggested are below, my comments are in {}
USE AT YOUR OWN RISK
1. You can simply get filters from Pall. {who?}
2. Look for manufacturers marks on the filters etc {a good method but
probably of most use to those of you in the USA unless the parts are
made by international companies}
3. Someone said that older Elite's do not have a sheath filter, and
another said that he had taken the sheath filter out of the line {so
you can cut costs by not using one at all, though when analysing
bacteria (as we do) it is probably not such a good idea}
4. Find a friendly rep / institution who throw away used but working
parts because they have been used for 12 months.
5. Some advice - a) do not put bleach into any of the tanks as they
will develop cracks and give. b) Do not use EtOH in the system
unless you bypass your sheath filter. c) Some tubing can be bought in
an aquairium shop.
6. Filters with the same spec are available but do not have the same
fittings / connections. If you want to use them you'll have to modify
your tubing / connectors. {Could be a problem if you ever have a
cash windfall and want to go back to the 'proper' ones}
7. For the sheath fluid, a good alternative is a Millipore Millipak
200 capsule filter, catalogue number MPGL20CB3. These will also
serve for the waste air filter, but an alternative air filter which
is more hydrophobic is Gelman Sciences CR Capsule, Catalogue #12829.
{These have the problems outlined in 6 above}.
8. Gellman filters can be used for everything. They are much cheaper
and work just as well. {may have problem in 6 above}.
Thanks again to all who responded. I'll probably make some of this
into a webpage before long so any more offerings would be welcome.
General tricks / tips and work-arounds for all flow cytometers would
be welcome too.
Cheers,
Haze
----------------------------------------------------------
| Hazel Marie Davey hlr@aber.ac.uk |
|Sefydliad y Gwyddorau Biolegol*Inst. Biological Sciences|
|Prifysgol Cymru * University of Wales|
| ABERYSTWYTH, Ceredigion, CYMRU / WALES SY23 3DA |
| http://pcfcij.dbs.aber.ac.uk/index.htm |
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