Katadyn Hiker Pro element mistake

[Vitals]

So I got home from my 4 day trip and completely forgot to take my Katadyn out and run some bleach water through to clean the filter and kill anything that would grow. After waking up in the middle of the night in an "oh chit" kind of way, I discovered indeed that a little bit of mold or mildew began to grow on the filter. Not knowing what to do, I tried to scape a little bit off. Than I made some bleach solution and ran about 4 or 5 liters though until it was virtually gone. The filter still has a bit of stain left from what looked to be dirt, but the mold was gone. I emailed Katadyn to ask about how to handle it and they suggested I just throw it away and get another. Apparently any scraping of the element compromises the pours and makes it possible for some microscopic protozoa to get through. My gut told me that it was probably okay since I really just picked at the spot with a knife in a super gentle way before I realized it wasn't going to work. Not wanting to risk it, I took their advice, threw it away and chalked it up to learning the hard way (well, the second hardest way).I certainly wont be making that $45 dollar mistake again.

Was wondering if anyone had ever dealt with a similar problem or maybe even used a compromised filter with good or bad results?

 

[123 4/8 P&Y]

I bet if you only scraped on the fiber layer on the outside it would be fine. I think the solid core is the important part?

When I get home I just disassemble my hiker and let the element dry out. I think I forgot to do that last year though, because the element smelled a little musty. But I'd planned on replacing it anyway because it was getting hard to pump.

If I were you I'd hang onto the used element and throw it in the truck just in case. Or maybe you already have a second filter for backup. I am paranoid about the plastic pump breaking, or the element clogging prematurely, or it freezing and cracking open. So I have a second pump at the truck ready to go. And potable aqua pills in with my emergency supplies.

This thread has me thinking, I might dig out that old filter in my hunting room trash can and cut it in half to see what they're made of.

 

[2ski]

So I dug up this thread because I haven't used my new Kat. Pro for about 8 months. I bought it and hadn't used it yet however I did assemble it and run some tap water through it. My question is should I get a new cartridge? I'm sure I pumped out most of the water left in it but I did not remove the cartridge and let it dry out. I see one maybe two very light spots that look like dirt. I'll leave it out to dry for a few days unless you guys tell me otherwise.

 

[wapitibob]

I finally opened mine after 2 years and it looked brand new. I screwed it back together. Probably depends on how muddy the water has been.

 

[2ski]

Looking a little more closely at the directions I see the filter protector screen is what has the spots on it. Filter looks spotless to the naked eye.