black specks in water chamber

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OSAdude76
Posts: 52
Joined: Thu Oct 22, 2015 12:46 pm

black specks in water chamber

Post by OSAdude76 » Wed Feb 10, 2016 1:20 pm

Hi all,

I clean my water/humidifier chamber about once a week with mild soap and warm/hot water. I usually dump out the extra distilled water every other day.

However, I noticed last night that there were a few tiny black specks (mold?!) on the corner of the chamber. I tried cleaning it out, but most of the black specks stayed in the corner because they seemed wedged in the plastic crease. You can barely see it now, but I am still concerned. Is there anyway I can take the chamber apart to clean it more? Should I be worried about breathing in tiny bits of potential mold??

http://imgur.com/AOYtC1N

Thank you!
CPAP: Resmed Airsense 10
Mask: Nasal Pillows Airfit P10

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OkyDoky
Posts: 2870
Joined: Mon Aug 25, 2014 5:18 pm

Re: black specks in water chamber

Post by OkyDoky » Wed Feb 10, 2016 2:27 pm

Try a small toothbrush or an oral irrigator such as Water Pic or generic to reach the edges and corners but be ready for a shower.
ResMed Aircurve 10 VAUTO EPAP 11 IPAP 15 / P10 pillows mask / Sleepyhead Software / Back up & travel machine Respironics 760

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Sir NoddinOff
Posts: 4190
Joined: Mon May 14, 2012 5:30 pm
Location: California

Re: black specks in water chamber

Post by Sir NoddinOff » Wed Feb 10, 2016 5:16 pm

Here's the salt trick. Check it out.
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=108168&p=1031955&hi ... k#p1031955

You can use a tooth brush or a Q-tip... whatever works to get the salt into the crevices. Sounds like you have PR tank. They're hard to clean sometimes.

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Mask: AirFit™ F10 Full Face Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: Sleepyhead software v.0.9.8.1 Open GL and Encore Pro v2.2.
I like my ResMed AirFit F10 FFM - reasonably low leaks for my ASV therapy. I'm currently using a PR S1 AutoSV 960P Advanced. I also keep a ResMed S9 Adapt as backup. I use a heated Hibernite hose. Still rockin' with Win 7 by using GWX to stop Win 10.

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LSAT
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Joined: Sun Nov 16, 2008 10:11 am
Location: SE Wisconsin

Re: black specks in water chamber

Post by LSAT » Wed Feb 10, 2016 5:20 pm

Strange...I haven't "cleaned" my tank for at least 6-7 months. I just refill the distilled water every other night. It's crystal clear. Yours sounds like mold.

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Machine: ResMed AirSense™ 10 AutoSet™ CPAP Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier
Mask: Fisher & Paykel Vitera Full Face Mask with Headgear (S, M, or L Cushion)
Additional Comments: Back up is S9 Autoset...... Buckwheat hull pillow

OSAdude76
Posts: 52
Joined: Thu Oct 22, 2015 12:46 pm

Re: black specks in water chamber

Post by OSAdude76 » Thu Feb 11, 2016 8:00 am

Thank you all for the replies!

The Water Pic idea worked great and I got rid of all the stuff I could see. However, I did discover more biofilm as I wiped the edge of the chamber with a q-tip so I imagine there will always be a small amount in there..
The chamber I have (Airsense 10, aircurve) does have that weird edge that around it that seems to never get dry and that's why I imagine stuff can grow in there. I am a bit skeptical if I can actually get sick if I clean it regularly even if some biofilm appears because it's so small and constantly blasted with vinegar or anti-bacterial soap. But still not an ideal thing to have.

Are there any other suggestions for water chambers that you can clean more easily?
CPAP: Resmed Airsense 10
Mask: Nasal Pillows Airfit P10