# Maintenance

Your BactoBox® requires periodic maintenance.

Use this page as a checklist.

Beyond the periodic maintenance, there are also specific events that require further action. See the *When to X* sections below for further detail.

## Schedule

Proper maintenance require yearly, weekly, and daily maintenance. Here is an overview:

<table><thead><tr><th width="207">What to do</th><th width="244">When to do it</th><th>Details</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><a href="../encyclopedia/item-register/service-agreement/preventive-maintenance">Preventive maintenance</a></td><td>At least once a year</td><td><a href="#when-to-do-preventive-maintenance">When to do preventive maintenance</a></td></tr><tr><td><a href="../getting-started/qualification">Qualify</a></td><td>At least once a year</td><td><a href="#when-to-qualify-your-bactobox-r">When to qualify</a></td></tr><tr><td><a href="../getting-started/qc-test">QC test</a></td><td>At least once a week</td><td><a href="#when-to-qc-test">When to QC test</a></td></tr><tr><td><a href="best-practices/deep-clean-1">Deep clean</a></td><td>At least once a week</td><td><a href="#when-to-deep-clean">When to deep clean</a></td></tr><tr><td><a href="best-practices/clean-the-setup">Clean</a></td><td>After each measurement</td><td><a href="#when-to-clean">When to clean</a></td></tr><tr><td><a href="do-it-yourself-diy/assemble-dilution-dispenser/replace-syringe-filter">Replace syringe filter</a></td><td>At the start of each day</td><td><a href="#when-to-replace-the-syringe-filter">When to replace the syringe filter</a></td></tr></tbody></table>

### Best-practice example

Here is an example of best-practice BactoBox® use throughout a week:

<img src="https://4216107837-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FeYTtd7c0A325muFr5lMW%2Fuploads%2FIPXUx7vokgPUWmd1zEg2%2Ffile.excalidraw.svg?alt=media&#x26;token=f4943896-d331-4403-b0b9-28b46db2ea61" alt="" class="gitbook-drawing">

## When to do preventive maintenance

Schedule your BactoBox® for [preventive maintenance](https://help.sbtinstruments.com/encyclopedia/item-register/service-agreement/preventive-maintenance) in these cases:

* **At least once a year.**
* When the [check-engine-light](https://help.sbtinstruments.com/protocols/maintenance/check-engine-light "mention") shows.

{% hint style="success" %}

## Preventive maintenance is part of your [service agreement](https://help.sbtinstruments.com/encyclopedia/item-register/service-agreement)

Your [service-agreement](https://help.sbtinstruments.com/encyclopedia/item-register/service-agreement "mention") offers 24 month warranty and includes 2 × [preventive-maintenance](https://help.sbtinstruments.com/encyclopedia/item-register/service-agreement/preventive-maintenance "mention").
{% endhint %}

## When to qualify your BactoBox®

[Qualify](https://help.sbtinstruments.com/getting-started/qualification) your BactoBox® in these cases:

* **At least once a year.**
* When you relocate your BactoBox® setup.\ <mark style="color:$info;">Example: You install your BactoBox® for the very first time.</mark>\ <mark style="color:$info;">Example: You ship your BactoBox® to another physical location.</mark>\ <mark style="color:$info;">Example: You get your BactoBox® back from service/repair at SBT.</mark>

{% hint style="info" %}

## Difference between QC test and qualification

**When you** [***qualify***](https://help.sbtinstruments.com/getting-started/qualification) **your BactoBox® setup, always use an SBT dilution vial (bundled as `DV01`).**

For the regular (weekly) QC test, use the dilution vial that you intend to use going forward for your own measurements. This depends on your use case and may be either of:

* SBT dilution vial (bundled as `DV01`)
* DIY[^1] dilution vial ([made with the dilution dispenser](https://help.sbtinstruments.com/protocols/do-it-yourself-diy/assemble-dilution-dispenser/make-diy-dilution-vial))

Besides the choice of dilution vial, qualification and QC test are the same.
{% endhint %}

## When to QC test

Perform a [QC test](https://help.sbtinstruments.com/getting-started/qc-test) in these cases:

* **At least once a week.**
* After a [deep clean](https://help.sbtinstruments.com/protocols/best-practices/deep-clean-1) (of any length).
* When you change your BactoBox® setup.\ <mark style="color:$info;">Example: You replace the flow cell.</mark>\ <mark style="color:$info;">Example: You replace the external filter.</mark>\ <mark style="color:$info;">Example: You replace the tubing kit.</mark>
* When you switch from the SBT dilution vial to the [DIY dilution vial](https://help.sbtinstruments.com/protocols/do-it-yourself-diy/assemble-dilution-dispenser).
* As part of [qualification](https://help.sbtinstruments.com/getting-started/qualification).

## When to deep clean

[Deep clean](https://help.sbtinstruments.com/protocols/best-practices/deep-clean-1) your BactoBox® in these cases:

* **At least once a week.** Use the 15-minute option.
* To recover a flow cell that failed the QC test.\ <mark style="color:$info;">Try with the 15-minute option first. If the issue persists, try the 10-hour option.</mark>

See [deep-clean](https://help.sbtinstruments.com/protocols/maintenance/deep-clean "mention") for more information about what a deep clean does.

## When to clean

[Clean](https://help.sbtinstruments.com/protocols/best-practices/clean-the-setup) your BactoBox® in these cases:

* **After each measurement.**
* After a deep clean.
* After 30+ minutes of inactivity.\ <mark style="color:$info;">The BactoBox® software automatically prompts you to do this.</mark>

{% hint style="info" %}

## Why clean?

**Clean serves two purposes: Avoid growth inside your BactoBox® and avoid carry-over effects between measurements.**

Clean your BactoBox® to ensure that you only measure on your sample itself—not any residual particles or growth from previous measurements. E.g., to avoid [carry-over](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carryover_effect), biofilm, and the like.

Your BactoBox® has microfluidic flow paths that the liquid, bacteria, and particles pass through. It's essential to keep these paths clear of residue, microorganisms, biofilm, and other contaminants. In general, to avoid conditions that promote microbial growth.
{% endhint %}

## When to replace the syringe filter

[Replace the syringe filter](https://help.sbtinstruments.com/protocols/do-it-yourself-diy/assemble-dilution-dispenser/replace-syringe-filter) of your [dilution dispenser](https://help.sbtinstruments.com/encyclopedia/item-register/accessories/dilution-dispenser) in these cases:

* **At the start of each day**
* When it is difficult to dispense liquid (because the syringe filter clogs)

{% hint style="success" %}

### [**Replace the syringe filter**](https://help.sbtinstruments.com/protocols/do-it-yourself-diy/assemble-dilution-dispenser/replace-syringe-filter) **at the start of each day**

Even within a single day, the syringe filter clogs after repeated use. If it feels like you need to press harder to dispense, replace the syringe filter.

Each syringe filter typically clogs after 200–500 mL of liquid dispensed (20–50 dispenses of 10 mL).
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="warning" %}

### **Indications of clogged syringe filter**

A squeaking sound may indicate a clogged syringe filter. [Replace the syringe filter](https://help.sbtinstruments.com/protocols/do-it-yourself-diy/assemble-dilution-dispenser/replace-syringe-filter) if squeaking occurs to maintain accurate and fluent dispensing.
{% endhint %}

## When to replace the external filter

Replace the [external filter](https://help.sbtinstruments.com/encyclopedia/item-register/consumables/external-filter) in these cases:

* When you replace the flow cell.

See [install-tubing-kit](https://help.sbtinstruments.com/getting-started/installation/install-tubing-kit "mention") for instructions on how to replace the external filter

## When to replace the flow cell

[Replace the flow cell](https://help.sbtinstruments.com/getting-started/installation/install-flow-cell) in these cases:

* After 250 measurements.\ <mark style="color:$info;">The BactoBox® software automatically prompts you to do this.</mark>

{% hint style="success" %}
[Clean](https://help.sbtinstruments.com/protocols/best-practices/clean-the-setup) the flow cell before you remove it.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="success" %}

### Replace the external filter when you replace the flow cell <a href="#replace-the-external-filter" id="replace-the-external-filter"></a>

It is good practice to replace the [external filter](https://help.sbtinstruments.com/encyclopedia/item-register/consumables/external-filter) whenever you replace the flow cell. See [Install tubing kit](https://help.sbtinstruments.com/getting-started/installation/install-tubing-kit) for details.

[run-qc-test](https://help.sbtinstruments.com/getting-started/qc-test/run-qc-test "mention") **when you replace the external filter.**
{% endhint %}

## When to replace the tubing kit

It is not necessary to replace the [tubing kit](https://help.sbtinstruments.com/encyclopedia/item-register/accessories/tubing-kit).

## Found a stain on your BactoBox®?

Wipe the surface of your BactoBox® device with a clean, soft cloth and 70 % isopropanol (or another alcohol).

## Spilled liquid on your BactoBox®?

Power off the device immediately. Wipe it off with a damp, soft cloth. Wait for it to dry thoroughly.

[^1]: Do it yourself


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