Distilled water really needed ?

[Homer1959]

I am wondering if it is really needed, the water never stands for long in the humidifier tank, and obvioulsly the water dont stand in the climateline. Being really worry I would pour some vinegar in the tank to disolve any residue left by the water. I am using a Brita purifier for the water and I know that have no effect on hard water, but my water isn't that hard in my neck of wood .

What do you do ? Do you spend money on distilled water ??

[xenablue]

I choose to use distilled water, per the recommendation of the CPAP machine manufacturer. At $0.89/gallon, it's very cheap and lasts me about a month. Others' use will vary, but I don't like it very humid.

Cheers,
xena

[Pugsy]

I buy the distilled water. Local well water where I live is very hard. Using distilled to top off the tank each day.
Every now and then will rinse the tank out and let it air dry. Don't like vinegar smell at all.

I am lazy, this way I don't have to worry about cleaning the tank often and it looks brand new. If I go somewhere overnight I just use tap water. I used same tank for nearly 2 years and it still looks brand new.

You don't have to use distilled water if you don't mind the mineral build up and necessary steps to clean should it visually start looking yucky.

[builta]

Hi,

Ok, here is my rant! (skip the whole post if you like)

This has been the subject of so many posts!

It can be simple.

If you are really lucky and happen to live somewhere where your water supply approachs the quality of distilled water then by all means use the tap water (you might want to boil it for a few minutes to release most of the chlorine (and anything that might still be living) in the water-but that is your choice).

If you happen to live (or visit) less fortunate areas where there are lots of minerals (and potentially other creepy stuff) in the water, then use distilled water (or make your own distilled water).

If you cannot do either, then fill the humidifier tank up to the full mark, reduce the humidification level to the point where your do not run out of water during the night (or what ever constitutes your normal sleeping period) and dump out the left over water, rinse and let the humidification tank dry out daily (as best you can-some tanks are hard to dry (like Fisher & Paykel).)

Remember no matter which choice you make, if is always better to let the tank dry out every day, as this will tend to make the tank less hospitable for life (life on earth tends to like water and wet areas!). Every once in a while, clean the water tank or buy a new one.

Cleaning the tank every day is ok if you let it dry out. Letting the tank dry out is a good way to not invite life (slime mold and alike) to set up a home in your tank.

Disinfecting the tank daily, if done right will likely prevent most problems but, may shorten the tank's life and expose you to more chemicals then may really be necessary.

End Rant.

Cheers

[sol]

Quote :"Do you spend money on distilled water ?? "
if you have the one piece water tub than it makes good sense but it is not necessary for the cleanable tub (that what they in hospitals @ in between users )as it is easy to take apart , clean and fairly cheap from cpap.com .clean it regularly @ empty the water daily and fill it up to the top line on the marker and use distilled water if it makes you feel better .

[DennisG]

+1 for what Builta said.

Dennis

[BlackSpinner]

I stopped using it last year during the winter when hauling home gallon jugs on the bus and over icy side walks while I had pneumonia was just not going to happen. It didn't seem to make much difference to my humidifier tank.

[DaveMunson]

No. I don't. The water from my well is good though: better than most of the water available in this country.

I have pity for the people who don't have good water available. Without good water available, I would not live there.

[billbolton]

I am wondering if it is really needed.....

Here's what Resmed's FAQ says......

If I run out of distilled water, is it OK to use tap water to fill my water tub once in a while?

If you have a standard humidifier tub, it is recommended that you use distilled or deionized water. If you have a cleanable tub, tap water is fine for everyday use.

Do not use: bleach, alcohol, chlorine or ammonia-based solutions; moisturising, antibacterial or glycerine based soaps; and water softening and unapproved descaling agents.

http://www.resmed.com/au/service_and_su ... nc=dealers

Cheers,

Bill

[avi123]

I use plain tap water. Every evening when I wipe the mask (with CPAP mask wipe. Don't stick your finger to return an extra wipe back unless you're ready to see the skin stripped off the finger! ), I also rinse and fill the humidifier chamber at the sink. I first empty it. Next, I drop in a drop of Liquid Soap (Antibacterial) and fill it with tap water and shake it well and drain the water. After the next shaking and draining I fill it for the night. No residue yet after 4 months. After a year I'll replace the chamber. IMO, the distilled water available at the U.S. stores is too acidic.

[Homer1959]

I'll use tap water in the future, the water will be filtered through a carbon activate filter to reduce chlorine and some mineral from the water. Time will tell if my decision was right or wrong

Thanks for your feedback guys.

[BillH]

I have great well water, but at .90 per gallon, I will stay with distilled water. One more item that I don't have to worry about.

[kteague]

I prefer to use distilled water, but when it's not readily available, I will use tap water. I recently moved, and hadn't bought a jug, so I filled my tank straight from the tap. A tank lasts me quite a few days since I don't use the heat on the humidifier. Figured I'd have a jug soon and would clean the tank then. When I removed the humidifier I almost puked. The water remaining in the chamber was thick and murky. Good thing I had a spare in the closet. If I ever have to use tap water again, I will boil it first.

[rested gal]

Distilled water might not really be "needed", but it suits my own preferred method of not dumping the water out each morning, or even weekly. Keeps scale from appearing on the inside of the water chamber in my "hard water" area.

I just keep adding more distilled water each night to whatever water remains. I go months and months just topping it off each night...not dumping the unused water out or cleaning the water chamber. Stays crystal clear using distilled water and keeping the hose connected to it during the day -- not leaving a "port" open on the water chamber.

Maybe twice a year I'll dump out the water, swish vinegar around in the chamber, rinse well and start over. That's worked well for me for almost 7 years, but of course each person needs to do what he or she is comfortable doing, in the way of a cleaning routine and what kind of water they use.

Links to Cleaning mask, hose, humidifier
viewtopic.php?p=567264#p567264

[SleepingUgly]

Stays crystal clear using distilled water and keeping the hose connected to it during the day -- not leaving a "port" open on the water chamber.

I was opening up a port by disconnecting the Climateline so that the Climateline wouldn't stay wet all day. Should I not be doing that?