Silver (Bacteriostatic) Activated Coconut Carbon Filter Media | 12x40 Mesh (5-2F)
What is Silver Impregnated (Bacteriostatic) Carbon and how does it work?
Contrary to popular belief, carbon does not filter out bacteria. Whilst carbon effectively removes odours and taste issues from water, carbon ash is actually a source of nourishment for bacteria, making wet carbon filters a breeding ground for microbial contamination. This, unfortunately, causes biofouling of the filter cartridge which can lead to premature blockage, putrid tastes and odours and worse - illness as a result of ingesting the bacteria that has passed through the cartridge and into your drinking water! Using a rotten filter can make you seriously sick - so if in doubt - chuck it out!So, how does Silver Impregnation inhibit the growth of bacteria in a carbon filter? When bacteria come into contact with silver, the silver ions puncture the bacteria's cell membrane and wreak havoc by binding to and denaturing the bacteria's DNA. The sulphydryl group already within the bacterial cell also reacts with the silver, producing a silver sulphur complex that immobilises the respiratory and reproductive activity of the bacterial cell. Interestingly, Silver Impregnation has an incredibly long-lasting effect, as the dead bacteria then leach the silver molecules back into their environment, effectively killing neighbouring live bacteria as they die.
Dead bacteria store the microscopic silver particles within their cells (see above image of dead bacteria with silver nanoparticles (white spots), making them deadly to live bacteria. (Source: "Antibacterial Activity of Silver-Killed Bacteria: The "Zombie" Effect" (2015), https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25906433/).
Disinfection For Protection Against Bacteria
For sanitation against common water-borne bacteria/viruses in rainwater and potable bore water (i.e. *bore water that has been tested to the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines and deemed suitable for drinking purposes per the Guidelines’ aesthetic, health and safety recommendations), we recommend dosing your water source with a product such as Hydrosil Ultra 7.5% Water Sanitiser. Dosing with a disinfectant will ensure residual protection against microbiological contamination/biofouling in your pipework and/or filter system. Alternatively, for a full-time point-of-use sanitation solution, consider Ultraviolet (UV) Water Sanitation.
HydroSil Ultra 7.5% Drinking Water Sanitiser
HydroSil is a food-grade silver and hydrogen-peroxide based water sanitiser, which acts to oxidise bacteria and viruses without leaving any dangerous residues behind. HydroSil sanitizes and protects your tanks and water storage devices, making rainwater and potable bore water* safe and suitable for human consumption. HydroSil is not a chlorine-based chemical like most sterilisers on the market today. It is non-toxic, and safe to use around your home and family.To scale down to tank size, you will require 20mL per 100L.
Return Policy
Due to the nature of the products we sell, a strict return policy is in place. We work with food-grade certified materials that must be un-opened and un-used, so as to be able to be re-sold. This policy falls in line with the Australian Consumer Law, which is designed to protect BOTH BUYERS AND SELLERS.
You may receive a refund or credit of equal amount, less the Restocking/Out-of-Pocket Shipping Expense Fee, if applicable, and any other deductions that are relevant.
- 30-Day Returns Policy: Returns will not be accepted without prior approval or after 30 days of the invoice date.
- Wrongly Purchased Items/Changes of Mind Policy: Wrongly Purchased Items, or Change of Mind Purchases may be returned for a merchandise credit. This applies to, but is not limited to purchases of products that are:
- The Wrong Size;
- The Wrong System;
- The Wrong Replacement Pack;
- Due to a Change of Mind;
- Due to Buyer Error, whereby the buyer has failed to conduct proper due diligence (including contacting FSA prior to purchase in order to clarify the relevant technical specifications, compatibility, requirements etc.) to ensure the product purchased from us is the correct product for their requirements.
- Restocking/Out-of-Pocket Shipping Expense Fees Policy: All returns will incur a 17.5% restocking fee OR an out-of-pocket shipping expense fee, whichever is greater.
- This fee is in place to cover the administrative expense incurred in processing the return and/or the out-of-pocket expenses incurred by us in shipping the item to you. FSA may use its discretion to determine the restocking fee. Please note this policy falls in line with the ACL, and is designed to protect us as the seller from losses incurred due to buyer error. This means that you will NOT receive a full refund of the original purchase price - you will bear the cost of shipping the product back to us, and then you will receive a credit equal to the purchase price of the product LESS the Restocking/Out-of-Pocket Shipping Expense Fee. Please refer to our Shipping Policies (below) for further clarification.
- Low-Value Returns: Please note that with low-value items, sometimes the cost of sending the item back to us may be more expensive to you, than simply keeping the item. For example, let's say you have ordered 3x meters of the wrong-sized tubing for your needs and paid $12.00. If, for example, it cost us $7.69 to send the item to you, and it would cost you $7.69 to send the item back to us, overall you would be $3.38 worse off (due to incurring $7.69 to send the item back to us, and having $7.69 taken out of the credit) than if you had kept the item and re-ordered the correct product for your needs.
- Shipping Policies:
- Free Shipping Offer: As part of our offer of Free shipping Australia-Wide, FSA reserves the right to select the most cost-effective courier to effect delivery of the product to you. We make no guarantee as to how long an item will take to arrive due to unforeseen circumstances outside of ours/the couriers' control, including but not limited to: Staff Shortages, Supply Chain Demand, Extreme Weather Events etc.
- Express Shipping Policy: If you require an item on an urgent or Express basis, it is your (the buyer's) responsibility to contact us directly by telephone on [phone removed by eBay] prior to purchase, in order that we may quote you the options available for Express Delivery to your nominated address, and to organise additional payment for this Express Service. Express Shipping is not included in our offer of free shipping - this service will come at an additional cost payable by the buyer.
- Late Shipping Policy: Given that we offer the option for customers to organise Express Shipping with us prior to purchase, cancellations or refunds will NOT be issued on the basis of late or delayed shipping where the customer has opted for our Free Shipping offer. If the item (sent via Free Shipping), arrives late and the buyer wishes to return the item on this basis, the buyer will be liable for the cost of returning the product to us and a Restocking/Out-of-Pocket Shipping Expense Fee will be applicable to the return, as per the listed returns policy line items above. The customer will be issued a merchandise credit.
- Our offer of Free Shipping does not apply to Returns: Whilst we offer Free Shipping, this does not mean that there is no cost to ship the product - obviously, a shipping expense is incurred, and as with all e-commerce operators that offer Free Shipping, the cost of shipping the product from our warehouse to your nominated shipping address is built into the price of the product. The offer of Free Shipping therefore only applies to the act of FSA supplying the product to you, and does not cover the cost of returning the product from the customer to FSA.
- Returned to Sender Items: In the case of the buyer being unavailable to sign, refusing delivery, or the item being sent back to us for whatever reason, FSA may, at its discretion, pass the cost of the product being Returned to Sender (i.e. being returned back to us), back onto the buyer. Refer to Restocking/Out-of-Pocket Shipping Expense Fees (above).
- Lost Parcels: If an item is deemed to be LOST IN TRANSIT by the courier, the customer is entitled to a replacement product or refund in line with the ACL. In the case of a replacement product, FSA reserves the right to send the replacement product in line with its Free Shipping offer. If you do require the replacement item urgently, please get in touch with our customer service team directly to organise Express Shipping.
- Product Damage & Product Faults: Any damage to products that are not reported to FSA within 48 business hours of receipted delivery is not covered under our transit warranty. Return shipping is to be paid by the buyer to the address provided by FSA. It is recommended that the customer applies a transit warranty to the return freight item/s, in case of damage.
- Faults: Should the item appear faulty or doesn’t work as described, you must supply written/photographic/video evidence of the fault to us, so that we may assess whether the unit/item must be returned for testing (if requested). If testing is requested, return postage is to be paid by the buyer.
- If the unit/item is deemed to be faulty, compensation will be provided for the postage cost (proof of cost required).
- If the unit/item is deemed to be in working order and as described, the buyer will be responsible for the cost of return postage of the product from FSA's premises, back to the buyer.
- Minor Damage: Any damages (minor, that can be repaired) will incur a fee, that will be deducted from the total refund which will be equal to the cost of the replacement parts (List Price) and labour charges (if applicable) to repair the system(s). This will be separate from the Restocking/Out-of-Pocket Shipping Expense Fees.
- Major Damage: Any damage considered to be major and not feasible for repair may be refused and the return request will be void. The customer will be responsible for the return freight or disposal of the damaged unit.
- Faults: Should the item appear faulty or doesn’t work as described, you must supply written/photographic/video evidence of the fault to us, so that we may assess whether the unit/item must be returned for testing (if requested). If testing is requested, return postage is to be paid by the buyer.
Returns are not accepted on special order items unless the manufacturer allows it. Applicable fees will apply.
If you have any questions about our return policy, please contact us before purchasing. This will also help to ensure you purchase the correct product that suits your requirements.