Humdifier water tank life span advice?

[photonic]

Hi there. I am three years in on using my ASV and still using the original water tank. I always clean it every morning with dish washing soap swirled around inside and rinsed. I just put it through the dishwasher for the first time and it is looking slightly worn with some staining on the side walls and a little gunk under the gaskets. I ALWAYS use distilled water.

When do you all replace your tanks?

Are tanks usually covered by insurance?

I bought a backup tank from our sponsors a long time ago for an emergency backup but have never used it.

Thoughts????

Cheers

[Wulfman...]

Hi there. I am three years in on using my ASV and still using the original water tank. I always clean it every morning with dish washing soap swirled around inside and rinsed. I just put it through the dishwasher for the first time and it is looking slightly worn with some staining on the side walls and a little gunk under the gaskets. I ALWAYS use distilled water.

When do you all replace your tanks?

Are tanks usually covered by insurance?

I bought a backup tank from our sponsors a long time ago for an emergency backup but have never used it.

Thoughts????

Cheers

We have different machines, but I've never "replaced" my tank. Still using the very same one I started with in 2005. I have numerous spares that came with other machines I purchased along the way, but the original still looks like new. I've only actually taken the tank apart to clean it......twice......in almost 12 years.
Most of the time, I just rinse it out with hot tap water and refill with distilled.

You would need to check with your insurance, but from what I've read, most of them cover replacements at some interval.


Den

.

[Sheriff Buford]

As Den said, call your insurance and see what they say, or go online and look at your policy. You may be surprised. My insurance offers me a mask (and cushions - if I have a mask that has replaceable cushions), a hose, and three filters every 3 months. Every 6 months I get a new headgear and humidifier tank. All insurance policies are different. If you got gunk around the gasket, I'd replace the tank.
Sheriff

[springman946]

I am beginning to think that your water tank is not dishwasher safe did you take the rubber seal out of the tank BEFORE you stuck it in the dishwasher because I know that you can buy tanks that can go into the dishwasher. on cpap.com yes there more expensive but its worth it. I unfortunately I don't have a dishwasher in my apartment to test too see if my water chamber is dishwasher safe. I know that my tank is no longer covered by insurance as I was told by my DME a few years ago but every insurance is different the reason for that is because people keep using them over and over and over again. but check with your insurance. good luck

[Guest]

IMO is is counterproductive to wash with tap water if/when using distilled in the tank. All the minerals incl. bacteria are in tap water. So if you must wash things, incl the mask, use distilled for the wash and rinse.

I would also avoid leaving things like the tank open to air dry. The air is also full of dust, bacteria, and other contaminants and when it comes to the tank you add moisture to make your own petri dish. IMO better to keep it closed.

And why dry a hose only to hook it up to a humidifier? Oh well.

[photonic]

As usual thanks for lightening fast answers and thoughts!

[Goofproof]

As with Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, the lifespan of things we buy, is related to the care we give things. Get a spare, and treat the one in the machine correctly. Too much care wears things out and damages parts, to little does too, as does doing foolish things to them. Jim

[jim22]

I have the same water tank, and also use distilled water. I just replaced mine after about 2 1/2 years because the latch on the lid failed. I assume it has developed a crack and no longer latches the lid closed. The tank itself seems fine still. Once in a great while, I soak it for a few minutes in a vinegar and water mixture. Then I rinse in tap water, which is very hard well water, and then rinse in distilled water and let it air dry.

Every morning, I dump left over distilled water into a glass jar and let the tank and lid air dry. Each evening I dump the water back into the tank and top it up with fresh distilled. The glass jar air dries at night.

The replacement came as a kit with two different lids, so I have the clear lid left over. I would love to swap it for the gray lid I need with someone who bought the kit for the other machine.

Jim

[SewTired]

Those bins come in all shapes and sizes and seals. According to my manual, the bin is designed to last about 2.5 years. I've had my machine about 1.5 years now. But, my brother was still using his original humidifier bin when he got his new machine (8 years use). He had a backup, just in case. I do think that the newer machines have bins that LOOK like they are more delicate - whether they are or not, I don't know. Mine works fine despite a couple of falls. Hinges may eventually give way leading to cracks that lead to leaks. Still, I wouldn't bother replacing unless you have a problem or you want the dishwasher model.

[LSAT]

My machine is almost 3 years old and I am using the original tank.....(I use distilled water and have only cleaned the tank 3-4 times).....I have changed the hose once.

[chunkyfrog]

The best plan is to have a spare, and use it for a night (to make sure it's not defective)
before cleaning, drying, and putting it away for when it is needed.