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Underwater SoCal. There's no place I'd rather be :)
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About 50 dives and liking it!
Originally Posted by kilroy238
Greetings,
Just wondering has anyone had any experience with the Apollo Bio Filter? It seems like a good idea but I am concerned with mold.
TIA
I added it to my regulator about 6 months and 50 dives ago. I like it, and it's easy to clean. I rinse the sponge in distilled water when I get home, squeeze it out gently, and stand it up to dry in the open. It dries almost rock hard in about a day. I store in it's plastic case, and soak it for about 5 minutes in distilled water when I'm ready to use it again. No discoloration so far, or any other signs of mold.
The Biofilter has been discussed in a couple of other threads recently. You might search the threads for other opinions on both sides.
Good luck...I like the device very much. For a single dive, it's benefit is just a little comfort...no big deal. But for doing 4 long dives on an all-day boat, it keeps me feeling much better all day, no headaches, less tired, and easier equalization on the later dives.
Cheers!
"...Of course, this assumes you know the true performance of your scooter! Finding out the real speeds and range was the reason we started the Tahoe Benchmark. We initially relied on manufacturer supplied numbers and usually ended up swimming back." --fdog.
, and soak it for about 5 minutes in distilled water when I'm ready to use it again.
. For a single dive, it's benefit is just a little comfort...no big deal. But for doing 4 long dives on an all-day boat, it keeps me feeling much better all day, no headaches, less tired, and easier equalization on the later dives.
Cheers!
How much distilled water does it absorb? Looking at the size of it, I wonder how it adds enough water to the air to make a significant difference.
Underwater SoCal. There's no place I'd rather be :)
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Moisturizing effect lasts at least 45-50 minutes
Originally Posted by Charlie99
How much distilled water does it absorb? Looking at the size of it, I wonder how it adds enough water to the air to make a significant difference.
Charlie
I haven't measured...would guess about 15 to 20 ml to saturate the sponge before each dive. If I'm paying attention, I notice a little dryness somewhere between 45 and 60 minutes, depending on how hard I'm breathing.
If I hadn't noticed that I got headaches after 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 hours underwater in one day (and that it was more difficult to clear my ears toward the end of the day) I wouldn't have investigated the Biofilter. (Buy no new gear unless it pulls it's own weight!) It turns out to have been the perfect answer and I thoroughly enjoy the long days now.
Hope this helps put it in perspective.
Claudette
"...Of course, this assumes you know the true performance of your scooter! Finding out the real speeds and range was the reason we started the Tahoe Benchmark. We initially relied on manufacturer supplied numbers and usually ended up swimming back." --fdog.
Well from what I have read people that use it love it. Others think everything is just in your head.
I am still only in training. I get my certs in march on a week long live aboard. To me the it does make perfect sense to me to add some moisture to dry air. So when I go down to do my certs. I'll be using a bio-filter.
You won't be sorry... it's one of those products you have to experience to believe. I won't get in without one. Remember that the Bio Filter comes in 2 thread sizes... so get it at the same time you're getting your reg to make sure the threads match your reg setup.
Well from what I have read people that use it love it. Others think everything is just in your head.
I am still only in training. I get my certs in march on a week long live aboard. To me the it does make perfect sense to me to add some moisture to dry air. So when I go down to do my certs. I'll be using a bio-filter.
Thanks for your input.
If you're still only training (and if you don't own a lot of your gear yet), I can think of a million things that the cost of a bio filter can buy instead. To each his own, but you may want to dive for a while, and then judge if it's necessary for you.
I also agree with Boogie. Dive in cold water with one of those things (not sure if you will be) and oops! regulator popsicle.
Underwater SoCal. There's no place I'd rather be :)
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Good Point..temperate water only!
Originally Posted by Boogie711
It's worth mentioning AGAIN here folks:
Don't even think of using something like this if you're diving in cold water. That's just a disaster waiting to happen.
Really good point, Boogie711. Diving SoCal I have the liberty of wetsuit diving 52F and warmer most of the year, with just an occassional jaunt down to 48 (which usually provokes long meditations on the acquisition of a dry suit ) Guess this makes me a SoCal version of a warm-water wiennie?? Contemplating the truly cold temperatutes I read about people diving leaves me a little breathless!
Glad you were here to make this reminder.
It seems reasonable to me to only add things like Biofilters if you notice a problem with dehydrating effects that can't be fixed any other way. Same for most scuba accoutrements: they should effectively solve a problem, dramatically enhance your diving or safety, or they should stay on the shelf....IMNSHO.
Cheers!
"...Of course, this assumes you know the true performance of your scooter! Finding out the real speeds and range was the reason we started the Tahoe Benchmark. We initially relied on manufacturer supplied numbers and usually ended up swimming back." --fdog.
Actually, the bio filter has been tested extensively for cold water diving, and the conservative threshold is 42 degrees. So if you are above 42 - you can use it no problem... Below that, you can simply remove the tube and screw it back together by hand without the moisture chamber.
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About 50 dives and liking it!
Originally Posted by kilroy238
) Guess this makes me a SoCal version of a warm-water wiennie?? Contemplating the truly cold temperatutes I read about people diving leaves me a little breathless!