# Remove large particles

## How to get rid of large particles

Filter your sample through a [10 µm cell sieve](https://help.sbtinstruments.com/encyclopedia/item-register/consumables/cell-sieve-10-m). This adds an extra step to your sample preparation protocol but it's a very effective and relatively low-cost method.

{% hint style="success" %}

## Break up clumps and chains first

Break up bacteria aggregates *before* you filter your sample for large particles. This avoids underestimation. See [break-up-clumps-and-chains](https://help.sbtinstruments.com/protocols/prepare-your-sample/break-up-clumps-and-chains "mention").
{% endhint %}

## Example

Stool samples are a good example. See [coarse-samples](https://help.sbtinstruments.com/protocols/meta/applications/coarse-samples "mention")) for a protocol tailored for stool samples. While focused on stool samples, this guide also contains good general information.

## Motivation

Large particles (above 10 µm) may clog the BactoBox® setup. Remove these large particles from your sample before you measure it with BactoBox®.

<figure><img src="https://4216107837-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FeYTtd7c0A325muFr5lMW%2Fuploads%2FSTctDQVLeK9xM6YNyYgu%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=c613fe17-5a14-40ea-8773-2010c04b4905" alt=""><figcaption><p>Particles of various size.<br>Source: <a href="https://www.visualcapitalist.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/relative-size-of-particles-infographic.html">https://www.visualcapitalist.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/relative-size-of-particles-infographic.html</a></p></figcaption></figure>


---

# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://help.sbtinstruments.com/protocols/prepare-your-sample/remove-large-particles.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.