Use fine filters!

[FizzyWater]

they do a 5 micron and a 10 micron version. 72" by 36". Thats a lot of S9 filters.

http://www.amazon.com/Polyester-Filter- ... s_indust_4

Just went to the manufacturer's site and found that they actually do .5, 1.0, 5, 10, 25, 50, and 100 micron versions.

Anybody know which version would be best for us to use in our cpap machines?

In the S9 guide, it says the regular filter is 7 micron and the fine (hypoalergenic) filter is 0.5 micron.

EDITED TO ADD: Further reading makes me question whether the material linked here would work. The description on the linked page says it's the same material used in this company's "filter bags". When I went to look at one of the filter bags on the seller's "storefront", they had the following additional information:

Polyester filter bags can be used for filtering any liquid. There is a handle strap which can be used for hanging them from a pipe or something similar for gravity filtration. They can also be pressurized by using a filter adapter head and a pump for faster and unattended filtering. Using a pump/adapter combo is highly recommended so you can get the longest life out of your bags and not have to wait around all day to filter when they are clogging. About 34 bags can be fit onto an adapter head to use with a pump. if done right, you will need more coarse bags than fine bags. 1 micron bags should rarely have to be changed while 50 and 100 micron bags will need to be changed many times collecting the bulk of the debris. Let the coarse bags do all the work for your final filtering bags. When filtering WVO make sure the oil is at least 100 degrees so all fats are melted.

I don't know much about this stuff, but I'm thinking it's possible that something designed for liquid might not work correctly for air flow.

[RipVW]

Hmm. You might be correct. For now, I'm going to stay with the 79 cents each when ordering 50 filters. That's less than $2/month, so pretty affordable.

[Starlette]

Good evening all.

It's been quite a while since this occurred: On one of those nights when Apria was making it's every 6 month call to me to check if I needed supplies, I called them back stating that I needed some white filters. Their response was they discontinued providing those due to people forgetting to change them out which would cause the xpap motor to burnout. So I'm rather surprised to see this thread suggesting that people were still using them. For a long time now, I've just been using the grey filter. When I got my apap 01/09/2012, a white filter came with the apap which I've inserted in the back. Think you all have influenced me to start using them again.

Starlette

[zinkemomx2]

I started xPap therapy last April on an old hand-me-down machine. I checked the filters every time I cleaned the water tank. The white filter never, ever appeared dirty. In December that machine finally died and I bought a new IntelliPap. In less than 3 weeks of use the machine told me to check the filter. The fine white filter was a nasty dark looking grey. I cannot believe how bad it looked for such a short time period. I will definitely be changing my filter more often. Off to order some spares...

[xyz]

s:
> Apria was making it's _every 6 month_ call to me
> I called them back stating that I needed some white filters.
> Their response was they _discontinued_ providing those due to
> people forgetting to change them out which would cause the xpap motor to burnout.

I _assure_ you that is not true (that they discontinued them).
But I believe they told you that.

You must be on a capitated plan.

That means they get a _fixed amount_ per month to provide service to you. The way they view it (for capitated plans) is that every product or service they provide you cuts into their profit.

The correct replacement schedule is:
cushions for mask: 1/mo
fine white filters: 2/mo
coarse grey filter: 1/6 mo
hose: 1/3 mo
humidifier chamber: 1/6 mo
mask: 1/3 mo

1. If you have no co-pay (or low co-pay) get everything that you are eligible for.

If something breaks/fails, then you'll have a backup.

2. Call them and tell them if they do not ship you 2 fine filters per month that you will report them to your state's DME Board and will also file a grievance with your insurance company so that they will be aware of what their DME subcontractor is doing. And then be certain to do that.

That's the only way the lying will stop.


If you are using both the fine and the coarse filters, you don't need to do those time-consuming, complicated, and possibly costly things that some have proposed in this thread.

Just change them as often as needed, which will vary according to individual conditions.

A maximum use for the fine filter should be 1/month.
Maybe twice a month for dusty conditions.

Rinse out the coarse filter once per week and wash it (mild soap) once per month. Rinse well.
It must be _completely_ dry before using again.

[sleepyhead981]

My Icon auto vpap only has one filter! Has anyone tried inline filters? Does that work even with heated tubes? (they have a projection for the heating coils to connect to the plug in the base)

Thanks,

[RipVW]

My Icon auto vpap only has one filter! Has anyone tried inline filters? Does that work even with heated tubes? (they have a projection for the heating coils to connect to the plug in the base)

Thanks,

Never tried the inline filter with my APAP, due to this from cpap.com--

Auto Adjusting CPAP Machines

This filter may have an impact on the ability of any Auto Adjusting CPAP to accurately respond to airflow restrictions during use. If the average treatment pressure is below a pressure of 7cm H2O this should not be used.