Question Rebreather sanitizer

[Steel_Stalk]

I have always used Steramine tablets for sterilizing my loop and counter lungs but am considering switching sanitizers due to a concern of respiring dried residue. I have put together a table highlighting the key differences between Steramine and the other cleaning/sanitizing agents explicitly designed for diving and respiratory equipment:

Product	Key Ingredient(s)	Intended Use	Residue	Rinse Required?	Safety for Breathing Systems	Effectiveness
Steramine	Quaternary Ammonium Compounds (Quats)	General sanitization (food, surfaces)	May leave residue	Yes	Not explicitly safe for respiration	Effective against bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
Biox Cleaner	Biodegradable surfactants and detergents	Diving equipment and rebreathers	Minimal when rinsed	Yes	Specifically safe for diving systems	Highly effective, safe for frequent use.
Virkon™ S	Potassium peroxymonosulfate & inorganic salts	Medical, aquaculture, and diving gear	Very minimal	Yes	Safe for diving/respiratory systems	Broad-spectrum (viruses, bacteria, fungi).
Diversol™ / ProKlenz™	Chlorine-based or hydrogen peroxide blends	Medical-grade respiratory cleaning	Minimal when rinsed	Yes	Safe for respiratory systems	Medical-grade cleaning; effective against a wide range of pathogens.
Sterisil / Stericlean	Mild peracetic acid and hydrogen peroxide	Respiratory and medical equipment	Virtually none	Yes	Designed for respiratory use	Highly effective and eco-friendly.
Ozonated Water	Ozone (generated from oxygen)	Eco-friendly disinfection	None	No (if used alone)	Safe for respiratory systems	Kills pathogens without chemicals; eco-friendly.

---

Comparison Insights​

1. Steramine:
   • Not specifically designed for breathing systems.
   • Requires thorough rinsing to remove residue that could irritate respiratory pathways.
2. Biox Cleaner:
   • Specifically formulated for diving equipment, making it safer and more effective for rebreathers and counterlungs.
   • Requires rinsing but leaves minimal residue.
3. Virkon™ S:
   • Broad-spectrum and highly effective, with very low residue when rinsed.
   • Commonly used in technical and professional diving for its safety profile.
4. Diversol™ / ProKlenz™:
   • Medical-grade cleaner effective for respiratory systems.
   • Requires rinsing but leaves little residue when used correctly.
5. Sterisil / Stericlean:
   • Designed for respiratory systems with virtually no harmful residues.
   • Excellent option for diving applications requiring stringent safety.
6. Ozonated Water:
   • The safest option with no residue as it breaks down into oxygen.
   • Requires an ozone generator but eliminates chemical concerns.

As a final note, I have not experienced any negative or irritating symptoms using Steramine and I will likely use up the remainder of the tablets I have. I couldn't find another similar thread with sanitizer alternatives and was wondering what others might use as a safer alternative?

 

[Pavao]

I rarely ever use any sanitizer, rinse with plain water. However, I use an air blower rigged up with 3 hoses, 1 splits into the 2 loop hoses and the other 2 goes into the 2 counterlungs, it’s bone dry quickly.

 

[BoltSnap]

What about shelf life?

 

[Steel_Stalk]

@BoltSnap

Here’s the list with just the shelf life for each product:

1. Steramine: 1-2 years (unopened)
2. Biox Cleaner: 2-3 years (unopened)
3. Virkon™ S: 3 years (unopened)
4. Diversol™ / ProKlenz™: 1-2 years (unopened)
5. Sterisil / Stericlean: 2 years (unopened)
6. Ozonated Water: 1 year (generator life varies)

 

[Steel_Stalk]

Here’s a list with approximate cost differences for each product. The prices can vary based on the vendor, packaging size, and location, but this provides a general range:

1. Steramine: $10 - $25 (per 1-gallon bottle)
2. Biox Cleaner: $25 - $45 (per 1-liter bottle)
3. Virkon™ S: $30 - $55 (per 1-kilogram pack)
4. Diversol™ / ProKlenz™: $35 - $60 (per 1-liter bottle)
5. Sterisil / Stericlean: $40 - $70 (per 1-liter bottle)
6. Ozonated Water: $15 - $50 (per generator or ozonated water unit)

 

[BoltSnap]

I have always used Steramine tablets for sterilizing my loop and counter lungs but am considering switching sanitizers due to a concern of respiring dried residue. I have put together a table highlighting the key differences between Steramine and the other cleaning/sanitizing agents explicitly designed for diving and respiratory equipment:

Product	Key Ingredient(s)	Intended Use	Residue	Rinse Required?	Safety for Breathing Systems	Effectiveness
Steramine	Quaternary Ammonium Compounds (Quats)	General sanitization (food, surfaces)	May leave residue	Yes	Not explicitly safe for respiration	Effective against bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
Biox Cleaner	Biodegradable surfactants and detergents	Diving equipment and rebreathers	Minimal when rinsed	Yes	Specifically safe for diving systems	Highly effective, safe for frequent use.
Virkon™ S	Potassium peroxymonosulfate & inorganic salts	Medical, aquaculture, and diving gear	Very minimal	Yes	Safe for diving/respiratory systems	Broad-spectrum (viruses, bacteria, fungi).
Diversol™ / ProKlenz™	Chlorine-based or hydrogen peroxide blends	Medical-grade respiratory cleaning	Minimal when rinsed	Yes	Safe for respiratory systems	Medical-grade cleaning; effective against a wide range of pathogens.
Sterisil / Stericlean	Mild peracetic acid and hydrogen peroxide	Respiratory and medical equipment	Virtually none	Yes	Designed for respiratory use	Highly effective and eco-friendly.
Ozonated Water	Ozone (generated from oxygen)	Eco-friendly disinfection	None	No (if used alone)	Safe for respiratory systems	Kills pathogens without chemicals; eco-friendly.

---

Comparison Insights​

1. Steramine:
   • Not specifically designed for breathing systems.
   • Requires thorough rinsing to remove residue that could irritate respiratory pathways.
2. Biox Cleaner:
   • Specifically formulated for diving equipment, making it safer and more effective for rebreathers and counterlungs.
   • Requires rinsing but leaves minimal residue.
3. Virkon™ S:
   • Broad-spectrum and highly effective, with very low residue when rinsed.
   • Commonly used in technical and professional diving for its safety profile.
4. Diversol™ / ProKlenz™:
   • Medical-grade cleaner effective for respiratory systems.
   • Requires rinsing but leaves little residue when used correctly.
5. Sterisil / Stericlean:
   • Designed for respiratory systems with virtually no harmful residues.
   • Excellent option for diving applications requiring stringent safety.
6. Ozonated Water:
   • The safest option with no residue as it breaks down into oxygen.
   • Requires an ozone generator but eliminates chemical concerns.

As a final note, I have not experienced any negative or irritating symptoms using Steramine and I will likely use up the remainder of the tablets I have. I couldn't find another similar thread with sanitizer alternatives and was wondering what others might use as a safer alternative?

What do rebreather mfgs recommend in general?

 

[BoltSnap]

Here’s a list with approximate cost differences for each product. The prices can vary based on the vendor, packaging size, and location, but this provides a general range:

1. Steramine: $10 - $25 (per 1-gallon bottle)
2. Biox Cleaner: $25 - $45 (per 1-liter bottle)
3. Virkon™ S: $30 - $55 (per 1-kilogram pack)
4. Diversol™ / ProKlenz™: $35 - $60 (per 1-liter bottle)
5. Sterisil / Stericlean: $40 - $70 (per 1-liter bottle)
6. Ozonated Water: $15 - $50 (per generator or ozonated water unit)

Cost per unit volume isn't enough, one needs how much is needed per unit water?

 

[Steel_Stalk]

I wasn't necessarily asking about cost nor recommendations from rebreather manufacturers...but I can put together a comparison.

 

[greeniguana]

Here’s a list with approximate cost differences for each product. The prices can vary based on the vendor, packaging size, and location, but this provides a general range:

1. Steramine: $10 - $25 (per 1-gallon bottle)

Last time I bought steramine, a bottle of 150 tablets was about $10. That bottle makes 75-100 gal.

 

[Steel_Stalk]

Cost aside, does anyone have experience with Sterisil/Stericlean?