Residue in humidifier

[dkhinz]

Recently I noticed residue floating in my humidifier tank. Coincidentally it was right after developing a cold. I cleaned it out thoroughly and refilled it. The next day I checked and found the beginning strands of something forming again. I regularly clean my tank, hoses, mask and filters. Any words of wisdom for me? Yes, I always use distilled water.

[Guest]

Any words of wisdom for me?

sure read all the posts above yours for many words of wisdom

[blownaway]

I have seen the same thing happen once, and only once. If the air pressure from your machine is interrupted (stopped) even momentarily, you will be breathing back thru the hose and into the water tank. If, as you say, something is growing, then in all likelihood it is bacterial and where is that likely to come from? Yes, your cold infected sinuses. Sinuses are much like your mouth: home to multitudes of bacteria.

I am not recommending this, but what I would do is to add one drop of chlorine bleach to a full tank in expectation that it will kill bacteria and prevent the growths that are obviously worrisome. Do this only as long as you have a cold as chlorine is corrosive to metal parts.

[Sir NoddinOff]

Forget the chlorine... search in the box under the CPAPtalk logo for the 'salt trick'. Or...

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=108168&p=1031955&hi ... k#p1031955

There's a couple of different techniques, so just pick one you like.

[dkhinz]

Thanks for your help on this. Our power did go out very briefly the other night and this may account for the residue. I since soaked everything in extra strong vinegar and thoroughly sanitized it. I will try both the drop of chlorine and the salt trick. Thanks again.

[D.H.]

Thanks for your help on this. Our power did go out very briefly the other night and this may account for the residue. I since soaked everything in extra strong vinegar and thoroughly sanitized it. I will try both the drop of chlorine and the salt trick. Thanks again.

Just to be absolutely certain that this is understood correctly, make sure to thoroughly rinse the tank so there's no trace of chlorine bleach when you use it. BTW, I'd rather you not use chlorine bleach in the first place, as I think it's just too dangerous.

[D.H.]

Thanks for your help on this. Our power did go out very briefly the other night and this may account for the residue. I since soaked everything in extra strong vinegar and thoroughly sanitized it. I will try both the drop of chlorine and the salt trick. Thanks again.

Also, dump the water in the sink or toilet every morning (even if you don't clean it the tank), and run the unit for half an hour to dry. You can do this while you eat breakfast, take a shower, and/or get dressed.

[LSAT]

Thanks for your help on this. Our power did go out very briefly the other night and this may account for the residue. I since soaked everything in extra strong vinegar and thoroughly sanitized it. I will try both the drop of chlorine and the salt trick. Thanks again.

Also, dump the water in the sink or toilet every morning (even if you don't clean it the tank), and run the unit for half an hour to dry. You can do this while you eat breakfast, take a shower, and/or get dressed.

OMG ....Another stupid suggestion

[knothead]

Thanks for your help on this. Our power did go out very briefly the other night and this may account for the residue. I since soaked everything in extra strong vinegar and thoroughly sanitized it. I will try both the drop of chlorine and the salt trick. Thanks again.

Also, dump the water in the sink or toilet every morning (even if you don't clean it the tank), and run the unit for half an hour to dry. You can do this while you eat breakfast, take a shower, and/or get dressed.

If your going to clean the tank everyday just let it air dry and save the cpap for sleeping...

[Goofproof]

Thanks for your help on this. Our power did go out very briefly the other night and this may account for the residue. I since soaked everything in extra strong vinegar and thoroughly sanitized it. I will try both the drop of chlorine and the salt trick. Thanks again.

Also, dump the water in the sink or toilet every morning (even if you don't clean it the tank), and run the unit for half an hour to dry. You can do this while you eat breakfast, take a shower, and/or get dressed.

OMG ....Another stupid suggestion

At least he didn't tell him to drink the HH water, this time. Jim

[Gasper62]

Uhhh, distilled water is not sterile water....... not unless it's packaged and labeled as such. (it ain't) It's only water that has been distilled to remove solids and dissolved minerals. If anyone wants to be really cautious, they might take their distilled water up to a rapid boil for several minutes on the stove top or in the microwave prior to adding to their pap tank. This will also work for leftover water. We're advised to not use Clorox because the feeble-minded, crayon eater types can't be trusted to use it properly/safely. I use it regularly to clean my tank in a very diluted form, then copious rinsing. FWIW, those who advocate using tap water while traveling......... tap water often contains appreciable levels of........wait for it........... chlorine. I much prefer carefully sanitizing & rinsing my tank, and then, using distilled water over breathing evaporated, chlorinated tap water, that kinda' smells like sleeping by the swimming pool pump room to me. I don't care if someone autoclaves their tank daily or, if they enjoy allowing pond scum to form in it. Different strokes after all.

[palerider]

BTW, I'd rather you not use chlorine bleach in the first place, as I think it's just too dangerous.

so dangerous, they put it in the water that's delivered to peoples homes!!!! and, my god, people SWIM in water with chlorine.

I think

that's a laugh.

[palerider]

Thanks for your help on this. Our power did go out very briefly the other night and this may account for the residue. I since soaked everything in extra strong vinegar and thoroughly sanitized it. I will try both the drop of chlorine and the salt trick. Thanks again.

Also, dump the water in the sink or toilet every morning (even if you don't clean it the tank), and run the unit for half an hour to dry. You can do this while you eat breakfast, take a shower, and/or get dressed.

just ignore this idiot, everything he posts is either stupid, wrong, or unnecessary.

[Gasper62]

Thanks for your help on this. Our power did go out very briefly the other night and this may account for the residue. I since soaked everything in extra strong vinegar and thoroughly sanitized it. I will try both the drop of chlorine and the salt trick. Thanks again.

Also, dump the water in the sink or toilet every morning (even if you don't clean it the tank), and run the unit for half an hour to dry. You can do this while you eat breakfast, take a shower, and/or get dressed.

just ignore this idiot, everything he posts is either stupid, wrong, or unnecessary.

I suspect that D'head has consumed a sizable number of crayons.

[palerider]

Thanks for your help on this. Our power did go out very briefly the other night and this may account for the residue. I since soaked everything in extra strong vinegar and thoroughly sanitized it. I will try both the drop of chlorine and the salt trick. Thanks again.

Also, dump the water in the sink or toilet every morning (even if you don't clean it the tank), and run the unit for half an hour to dry. You can do this while you eat breakfast, take a shower, and/or get dressed.

just ignore this idiot, everything he posts is either stupid, wrong, or unnecessary.

I suspect that D'head has consumed a sizable number of crayons.

is he that kid that was always eating the paste in class?

probably graduated to lead paint.... that would explain his behavior.