Humidifier Tub Question

[Zaiforce]

Hi there,

This forum has been a great help in the past so just thought I'd touch base again on a question I have .

My mother is using a ResMed Lumis 150 VPAP ST machine, she has had it for approx. 3 months now and just recently the humidifier tub has been making loud knocking/clicking noises upon exhaling/inhaling.

After doing some research I believe it is being caused by the silicone/rubber seal in the top of the humidifier tray starting to lose it's elasticity (as when you squeeze the tub it mostly stops the noise).

I seen a lot of people saying they solved the issue on their AirSense 10 machines with a rubber band around the tub, I believe the Airsense 10 uses the exact same tub as the Lumis 150 VPAP ST machine so that would probably work for my mother's machine also but instead I decided to just buy a new humidifier tub from ResMed.

The new tub arrived and when I opened it I noticed that it looks different, the base of the old tub was all metallic and square shaped, the metallic section covered the entire bottom of the tub, where as the new tub only has a circular metallic pad on the bottom that doesn't cover the entire bottom of the tub.

I was worried that they may have sent me the wrong tub so I tried putting it in mum's machine to see if it fit and it does seem to fit ok...

I was wondering if anybody else has ordered a new humidifier tub for a Lumis or AirSense 10 machine recently and noticed that the tub is different (especially on the bottom) even though it still fits the machine?

I am assuming it will be safe to use? I will give it a try tonight and see how it goes.

Thank you for any help!

[Zaiforce]

Well... I probably should have called ResMed first before posting this question lol.

I contacted ResMed and they answered my question, apparently there are 2 types of humidifier tubs for the Lumis and Airsense 10 etc.

There is a cheaper version which is the "standard" tub which apparently is the new tub that I received with the smaller rounded base plate that should be replaced approx. every 6 months, then there is a more expensive better version that is more durable etc.

It turns out my mother's machine must have come with the more expensive better version of the tub, so when the new tub arrived it looked different as it is one of the cheaper "standard" versions of the tub.

I will say though it is a bit confusing as the item listing for the standard humidifier tub on the ResMed website shows a photo of the "better" more expensive tub that looks different, that adds to the confusion.

Admins feel free to delete this thread if you wish, apologies for that, but I guess for now I will leave it up in-case anybody else had the same question

Thanks all.

[prodigyplace]

I have used a standard tun on an airsense 10 for over 6 years and still going strong. In fact, Lin(don’t)care sent me a replacement one after a month.

/if you need it, I still have this replacement tub,I would just charge shipping cost. PM me if interested. I now use an Airsense 11.

[vandownbytheriver]

Both 'dishwasher safe' and 'standard' tubs appeared identical to me... I never used a dishwasher on them, and they all ended up leaking... for well over a decade, they all had the square metal bottom.

I got a new Aircurve 10 vAuto from insurance recently and it came with the new round-plate tub. The new tub resembles the Ax 11 tub in that regard. I regard this as an improvement, in that if it leaks it can be repaired easily. I then opened a box containing a new tub I'd ordered months before... *it* also has the round metal pan. The part numbers did not change, the round pan is the new tub, use it in health.

[Zaiforce]

/if you need it, I still have this replacement tub,I would just charge shipping cost. PM me if interested. I now use an Airsense 11.

That's really nice of you, thank you for the offer but it is ok, the new tub is working fine, it just threw me off when I seen the design change but apparently it is just how they are now . I appreciate your offer though, thank you, what a nice person!

Both 'dishwasher safe' and 'standard' tubs appeared identical to me... I never used a dishwasher on them, and they all ended up leaking... for well over a decade, they all had the square metal bottom.

I got a new Aircurve 10 vAuto from insurance recently and it came with the new round-plate tub. The new tub resembles the Ax 11 tub in that regard. I regard this as an improvement, in that if it leaks it can be repaired easily. I then opened a box containing a new tub I'd ordered months before... *it* also has the round metal pan. The part numbers did not change, the round pan is the new tub, use it in health.

Yeah it was quite confusing because they have changed the design of the standard tub but none of the websites (including Resmed's) show the updated image of the new design, so if you are going by the image you think you have received the wrong tub.

Since doing more research though I have noticed that 2 supplier websites have mentioned it in their item descriptions...

On the CPAP Direct website (cpap.com.au) they mention:

"Please note, after a recent design change, the heating element on the chamber's base is now a circular shape."

And on MyCPAP (mycpap.com.au) they mention:

Please note that this chamber has replaced the previous chamber which was part number 37300. Resmed have advised due to component changes on this chamber the frequency of change has been adjusted to a 6 monthly change. All chambers supplied with machine will be the 37300 chamber but replacements will be part number 37299.

So it seems the "old" tank is part no. 37300, however the new updated tank with the new design is part no. 37299, however whenever you view part no. 37299 it will show the image of the old part no. 37300... And supposedly, the new design with the circular base plate is the "cheaper" version... So perhaps you can still purchase the older 37300 tub with the squarish full bottom base plate if you wish directly off ResMed, for a larger price?

Quite confusing! But mystery solved lol.

I have also noticed on the new tub, it looks as though there pieces of clear film or tape inside, I am not sure if that is to be removed or not? I don't believe it is to be removed so I haven't, but there is definitely a stick on type material inside the tub, perhaps helping hold it together, so I won't try to remove it.

[Dog Slobber]

I contacted ResMed and they answered my question, apparently there are 2 types of humidifier tubs for the Lumis and Airsense 10 etc.

There is a cheaper version which is the "standard" tub which apparently is the new tub that I received with the smaller rounded base plate that should be replaced approx. every 6 months, then there is a more expensive better version that is more durable etc.

Just pointing out how full of shit a lot of telephone support people are.

When they don't know an answer they just make crap up to placate you.

Edit: ^fixed incorrect quoting

[prodigyplace]

I contacted ResMed and they answered my question, apparently there are 2 types of humidifier tubs for the Lumis and Airsense 10 etc.

There is a cheaper version which is the "standard" tub which apparently is the new tub that I received with the smaller rounded base plate that should be replaced approx. every 6 months, then there is a more expensive better version that is more durable etc.

Just pointing out how full of shit a lot of telephone support people are.

When they don't know an answer they just make crap up to placate you.

Errr. I did not say that. Someone else did.

[Dog Slobber]

Errr. I did not say that. Someone else did.

Apologies, I screwed up my quoting.

Fixed.

[prodigyplace]

For the AirSense 11 they call them the single user tub (distilled water) and the multi-user tub (any water) that can be sterilized.

[Zaiforce]

Just wondering if anybody knows why they say you *MUST* use distilled water in the new version of the tubs?

The guy from ResMed mentioned it specifically to me on the phone also, "make sure you only use distilled water with the new tub, you must use distilled water" and the tub itself even warns you about it with a warning message written in the plastic of the tub.

I only use distilled water in my mother's machine anyway (from a home distilling machine), but I am just curious why all of a sudden they are so strict on it with the new tub design.

Is it because the new tub isn't able to be cleaned the same way or something? We have still been using the same cleaning method as her old tub, 1/5 white vinegar/water mixture (a bit stronger than the 1/9 recommended by ResMed).

Thanks all.

[Dog Slobber]

Just wondering if anybody knows why they say you *MUST* use distilled water in the new version of the tubs?
...

The don't say you *MUST* use distilled water.

In some markets, especially areas where distilled water is not readily available don't even mention distilled water.

ResMed clarified their position on distilled water during COVID, when distilled water was difficult to get:

https://www.resmed.com/en-us/covid-19/

There’s a shortage of distilled water where I live. What can I use as an alternative for my CPAP humidification?

As stated in our clinical and user guides, optimal humidifier performance requires distilled water. That’s because most or all of its minerals have been removed, preventing mineral buildup in the humidifier tub. That said, tap or bottled water may also be used. It will not harm the device or pose a risk to patients. It will, however, require more rigorous humidifier cleaning to prevent excess mineral buildup in the tub.

[Zaiforce]

Just wondering if anybody knows why they say you *MUST* use distilled water in the new version of the tubs?
...

The don't say you *MUST* use distilled water.

In some markets, especially areas where distilled water is not readily available don't even mention distilled water.

ResMed clarified their position on distilled water during COVID, when distilled water was difficult to get:

https://www.resmed.com/en-us/covid-19/

There’s a shortage of distilled water where I live. What can I use as an alternative for my CPAP humidification?

As stated in our clinical and user guides, optimal humidifier performance requires distilled water. That’s because most or all of its minerals have been removed, preventing mineral buildup in the humidifier tub. That said, tap or bottled water may also be used. It will not harm the device or pose a risk to patients. It will, however, require more rigorous humidifier cleaning to prevent excess mineral buildup in the tub.

That's what confuses me, you are 100% correct in the documentation I have always seen from ResMed, they recommended distilled water but it was never a "MUST", but for some reason which I cannot understand they gave me that verbiage on the phone regarding the new humidifier tub with the round base plate, he specifically mentioned to me to make sure that I use distilled water with this new style of tub.

It is also embossed/engraved into the plastic at the top of the new humidifier tub in big CAPS writing "DISTILLED WATER ONLY", there was definitely no message like that on the old style humidifier tub.

I am just trying to figure out why, it confuses me why they are now stressing this for the new tub, why is it different?

[Dog Slobber]

They haven't changed from recommending to *MUST*.

You talked to somebody on the phone who does not represent ResMed in that capacity. The non-dishwasher safe tanks have had "Distilled Only" since they were first introduced in the Air10.

Consider their website authoritative, not some random first level clerical employee or a non-detailed instruction of a tube.

[Zaiforce]

The non-dishwasher safe tanks have had "Distilled Only" since they were first introduced in the Air10.

Thank you.

Would you know if the cleaning instructions are any different for the "non-dishwasher safe tanks" compared to the dishwasher safe tanks, aside ofcorse from not putting them in the dishwasher? (I never put them in the dishwasher anyway).

I assume I can use my normal cleaning routine of warm water and vinegar etc. with both tanks?

Thanks

[robbob2112]

yes, same cleaning method on both tank types.