5 Common Filtering Issues

1. Not folding or folding incorrectly

2. Failing to write the required information on the filter house and data sheet

3. Writing on the filter house with a filter inside

4. Filtering the wrong volume

5. Stapling through the filter

1. Bad Folding/No Folding

Fold the filter in half

If the filter is folded poorly, material can stick to the inside of the “filter house.”

Fold the filter properly

When stapling the “filter house” closed, the top should be folded down to prevent the desiccant from contaminating the filter.

While the large desiccant particles are easily removed, the smaller desiccant particles can be confused with sediment when the filter is weighed.

2. Failing to record the required information:

Lake name, site (if applicable), volume and date are required on every filter. Don't alter the TSS filter number, and be sure all of this information is duplicated on the data sheet.

chlorophyll filter
TSS filter

 

3. Writing on the "filter house" with a filter inside

This can damage the filter inside.
damaged filter

 

4. Filtering the wrong volume

Make sure you record the volume of water that passed through the filter.

filtering correct volume

5. Stapling through the filter

Don't staple through the filter

Staple the “filter house” closed, but do not staple through the filter. The filters are very brittle when dried and will break when the staple is removed.

Avoiding the Filtering Faux Pas

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