Reddit mentions: The best bottletop lab filters

I think you're right, it will be somewhere around a grand for the kit I'm planning...but because I'm growing at home, it's basically a one shot cost (minus alcohol and filtration media,) plus I'll get awesome product, at least as good as the stuff I can buy in the Recreational dispensaries, and better than anything I could get from the black market.
I am in a legal state, but good quality wax is STUPID expensive, over $100/g plus I'm growing the flower myself (so the "expensive" part of this is actually something I already have on hand.) I grew more than 4 pounds last year legally in my living room in a 8x4 tent.

I'm staying away from butane because I'm doing this in my condo in my living room and not in a real lab. If I had fume hoods, and a fire prevention system that didn't involve me holding a fire extinguisher, then I would be there. I did originally look at butane columns, and I totally could go that route...I just didn't like the safety aspect when combined with my condo as a location.

I am going to use a vacuum kit with one of THESE plugged into a 2000 ML erlenmeyer flask with the same 24/40 glass fitting between them. There will be a vacuum pump attached to the side inlet to generate suction.

I'll use THISfilter paper at the bottom, then like half an inch of diatomaceous earth above that for filter medium.

The alcohol and the activated charcoal will be poured carefully into the top, and then it will strain itself out.

I figure 1 or 2 passes and it will remove all of the charcoal (I've read 1 but I'm skeptical) with an approximately 9-12% loss factor (by weight) compared to the initial extract, but the polished extract should be chlorophyll free, and it should be a beautiful honeyed color.

I also bought one of THESE and one of THESE so if I am unhappy with the results from my column, I have a final "stupid fucking fine" filter that I can pass the ethanol extraction through. This will give me a final filtration of 0.2 microns, although due to the added cost to each batch, I'm hoping that I don't have to go this route. I suspect that the filter plate on this will clog very quickly, which is why I'm hoping to use diatomaceous earth as my "primary" filter medium. It is both very cheap and incredibly effective.

Because I'm doing this with my own weed (rather than trim) and I'm doing it in pretty small batches (I'm not selling this stuff...) I'm hoping that the source turbo, even though it's small, will do what I need it to.

This was from DL:

You guys convinced me to home brew. Especially after I just did some math on what my latest $2k purchase would get me.

Putting together the list, will be refining as I learn more.

• [Autoclave](http://www.amazon.com/Prestige-Classic-Electric-Autoclave- Sterilizer/dp/B002AR0NUI/ref=pd_sim_sbs_hpc_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=0E5AJ7PQ2CHM1083QMPT) -- $899
  
• 2 x Autoclave Gasket -- $120
  
• Hormone powder
  
• Filtered Cottonseed USP Oil 4 Liter -- $255
  
• Benzyl Benzoate USP 1 Liter -- $60.75
  
• Benzyl Alcohol USP 1 Liter -- $45
  
• 3ml TERUMO Luer Lock Syringe w/o Needle (Qty. 50) -- $8
  
• 1 x 10ml EXEL Luer Lock Syringe w/o Needle (Qty. 50) -- $15.25
  
• 5 x B-D 25g x 1.5' (Qty. 10) -- $11
  
• 5 x B-D Needles 18g 1.5 (Qty 10) -- $11
  
• Alcohol prep pads/wipes
  
• Accurate scale to hundredths place
  
• Calibration weight
  
• 2 x Corning Pyrex 3 Piece Glass Graduated Low Form Griffin Beaker Set, 50ml, 100ml, 250ml -- $29.90
  
• 4 x PYREX Griffin Low Form 400mL Beaker Graduated Ea -- $34
  
• 4 x Beaker - PYREX GLASS 10ml -- $22.72
  
• 2 x SEOH Class A Volumetric Flask Borosilicate Glass 250ML -- $29.90
  
• 2 x Beaker Filters -- 150ml Nalgene MF75 Bottle Top Filter - 33mm neck (Qty. 12) -- $145
  
• Vacuum Pump -- 1.5 CFM Portable -- $275
  
• Melting Point Checker
  
• Sterile .20um syringe filter (For Tren) -- $162.88
  
• Crimper
  
• Vials
  
• Caps
  
• Glass stir rod
  
• Agar plates
  
• Latex gloves
  
• Alconox Detergent Cleaning Concentrate 4 lb. Container -- $30.30
  
• Scilogex 86143101 Model MS-H280-Pro BlueSpin LED Circular-Top Digital Magnetic Hotplate Stirrer with Ceramic Coated Plate, 100/240V -- $200
  
• 2 x Bel-Art Scienceware 371100138 PTFE Octagon Spinbar Magnetic Stirrer Bar, with Integral Pivot Ring, White, 1" Length, 3/8" Diameter -- $13
  
• 3 x jugs isopropyl alcohol
  
• Propolyene Gylcol 300
  
• Lockable Medical Storage Box -- $44.50
  
• Horizontal Laminar Flow Hood 48" x 24" -- $1,900
  
  
  Which Bottle Top Filter?
  ---------------------------------
  
• Millipore Hydrophilic PVDF Stericup-GV Bottletop Filter Unit, Radio-Sterilized, 0.22µm Pore Size -- $225
  
  Or
  
  
• 2 x Beaker Filters -- 150ml Nalgene MF75 Bottle Top Filter - 33mm neck (Qty. 12) -- $145
  
  
  Which Pipettor?
  ---------------------------------
  
• VWR Ergonomic High-Performance Pipettor -- $267.02
  
  or
  
  
• BRAND seripettor* pro Bottletop Dispenser - 1-10 mL -- #296.30
  
  Money is not an object. I'm not the type to do things cheaply or in a half-assed way. Lets set up the dream home brew lab now. I'll post pictures.
  
  What to buy?
  
  

So I figured out why my bottle top filters wouldn't hold the vacuum, and it was simply because it wasn't airtight. I had to push the top against my thigh to get an airtight seal and only then did it hold a vacuum.

So basically, how do I make the top airtight? It only came with these crappy plastic dust covers. I've got these filters specifically, if it helps.

*Also, the filters are plastic, which I didn't factor in when I decided to buy them. Are they still good to use, considering they'll be under pressure? If so, how much pressure can I safely use?

To illustrate what BST said...

Bottle Top filter example: http://www.amazon.com/Corning-430049-Polystyrene-Membrane-Diameter/dp/B005J5BVBI

Media Bottle: http://www.amazon.com/PYREX-500mL-Round-Storage-Bottles/dp/B004XR5TUM/ref=sr_1_1?s=industrial&ie=UTF8&qid=1421326439&sr=1-1&keywords=borosilicate+media+bottle.+45mm&pebp=1421326442468&peasin=B004XR5TUM

For autoclaving, in college we would just cover the top of the bottle with a small piece of aluminum foil and secure it with autoclave tape (which will also indicate when a specific temp has been reached)

Tape: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autoclave_tape

I think bottletop is the way to go, I've been doing it with syringe filters and shit but man it fucking sucks and it just doesn't feel like it's very sterile sometimes atleast for a newbie like myself. Used bottletop today to brew up some Test Cyp and holy shit was it way easier and just felt a lot more sterile. Used the following stuffs

https://www.amazon.com/ABN-Brake-Bleeder-Vacuum-Pump/dp/B005BT90DI/ref=sr_1_2?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1475218483&sr=1-2&keywords=hand+brake+pump

https://www.amazon.com/PYREX-250mL-Round-Storage-Bottles/dp/B004XR5TIO/

https://www.amazon.com/Autofil-1151-RLS-Bottle-Filtration-micrometer/dp/B00HSDSRHU

Going to be brewing some more test cyp/tren a/mast p/test p and maybe some other goodies in 2-3 months so I am glad I purchased all this now since thatll be a lot easier in the future :)

EDIT: Also I just use sterile vials so all I do after the stuff is filtered is draw it up in a 60ml syringe and put a needle in the vial before dropping 10ml into each sealed vial, I know some people buy open vials and the flip tops which is a lot cooler but you'd have to sterilize the vials and I don't have an autoclave or an oven I could use. :(

If youre going to go the bottle top route why don't you just buy the entire assembly instead of reusing a glass bottle?

Something like this.

1000 mL Bottle Top Vacuum Filter with Bottle, 0.22 um PES Filter, Sterile, Individually Packaged

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DP8HBNP/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_UwkjDb7J422RZ

See if you can find a cheaper version on eBay. Cut out the filter and use coffee filters that fit in the reservoir.

For a vacuum source, I use my vacuum sealer with a hose attachment.

Do a first pass filter using a strainer first, then use the vacuum filter with paper coffee filters to remove the finer particles.

Just wash and reuse.

bottle top filters.
https://www.amazon.com/Whatman-10443421-Cellulose-
Regenerated-Bottletop/dp/B007GE9N3I/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1487620307&sr=8-9&keywords=whatman+filter
glass media bottle i use
https://www.amazon.com/PYREX-250mL-Round-Storage-Bottles/dp/B004XR5TIO/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1487620362&sr=8-7&keywords=glass+media+bottles
break bleeder
https://www.amazon.com/Mityvac-MV8000-Automotive-Test-Bleeding/dp/B00265M9SS/ref=sr_1_7?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1487620409&sr=1-7&keywords=brake+bleeder

Yeah, same thing you have but includes a plastic media bottle that you just chuck when you're done with it. Here's an example although if there's EO in your gear you might need one compatible with EO https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003OBYRV0/ref=mp_s_a_1_56?ie=UTF8&qid=1473018753&sr=8-56&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=nalgene%2Bfilter&th=1&psc=1

http://www.amazon.com/Foxx-Life-Sciences-1102-RLS-Filtration/dp/B00BUR15Y2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1421556867&sr=8-1&keywords=autofil

this ones better, cheaper and a bigger capacity.

I went with this brand and am filtering in to a glass bottle.

https://www.amazon.com/Autofil-Sterile-Disposable-Sterilizing-Membrane/dp/B00HSDSRHA

I use these with bleeder

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01D1TN0HG/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_c_api_i_dYfXCbAHTB1CM

Has anyone had luck using filters like these for a homebrew or are they too fragile?

Trying to graduate from pain in the ass (literally, at times) syringe filters.

Homebrew Materials:

Vacuum Pump Oil

Vacuum Tubing

1/4" Barb x 1/4" NPT Male Hose Fitting

1/4" Male x 1/4" Female NPT Extension Hose

Vacuum Pump

Filters

Spatulas

Magnetic Stir Bar

Digital Hotplate with Magnetic Stirrer

Nitrile Gloves (Better than Latex)

Empty Capsules (Buy Separated unless you hate your life)

Capsule Machine (If you value your sanity, buy more than a 100... I hated my life doing this)

Mohr Pipets

Pipette 10ml

Mortar and Pestle (If you're doing orals, get this... Otherwise, you're playing Russian Roulette with your doses and liver)

Funnel (For pouring into small places)

Alconox (For clean your shit)

Temperature Gun (How hot is my shit?)

Graduated Cylinder (If you measure with beakers, you're a fucking idiot... And you should consider Volumetric Flasks)

Beaker Set

1 Liter Beaker (Because brewing en'masse is better)

Scale (I have a 2kg one, too)

Calibration Weight Set

Calibration Weight 100g (Because you need two for the scale linked)

Vacuum Regulator (Unless you want to filter 9001 times due to broken shit)

Oil (Any USP grade, filtered or unfitlered)

BB

BA

Butyl Stoppers

Flip Top Seals

Crimper

Vials (Unsealed)

Autoclave (Cheaper than an oven, why are you using an oven?!)

Weight Boats (Buy a million of these. They're cheap and useful)

Did I miss something? Probably. Yes.