crud in my humidifier tank

I just got my new H4i, and for probably the first time I my life I read the instructions. Resmed don't specify distilled water all - there is only a statement that if you use tapwater you will need to clean the tank regularly

k

kopoloff wrote:I just got my new H4i, and for probably the first time I my life I read the instructions. Resmed don't specify distilled water all - there is only a statement that if you use tapwater you will need to clean the tank regularly

k

not to make too big a deal out of it, but i also have the 4i and my recollection was it recommended distilled water. the manual is not online (way to go resmed - they don't even mention the 4i) but the 3i manual, page 9, under FAQ states:

"DO I HAVE TO USE DISTILLED WATER IN THE WATER CHAMBER?
Using distilled water will maximize the life of the water chamber and reduce mineral
deposits. See “Cleaning your HumidAire 3i” on page 11 for further details."


Now, i'll be travelling with my bad boy, and i don't plan to pack distilled water (i read a post i think under the lightbulb that mentioned getting an RX, and using brown RX bottles) - for the 5 days or so i'm away i will use tap (unless i can find distilled) - i imagine i'll get a LITTLE bit of crusting in the tank - but nothing severe - and i'll use distilled when i'm back home, so either the crud will take care of itself, or i'll actually have to (gasp) clean the tank out. now, my cleaning consists of randomly (usually when tank is just about dry) either dumping the tank and letting it air dry, or just filling with more distilled water.

kopoloff wrote:I just got my new H4i, and for probably the first time I my life I read the instructions. Resmed don't specify distilled water all - there is only a statement that if you use tapwater you will need to clean the tank regularly

k

Back when I first started CPAP, I e-mailed ResMed about the necessity to fill the tank with water and then throwing away the excess each morning. I was throwing away something like a cup of distilled water each morning in this way.

Resmed replied that if tap water is used, the chamber must be emptied daily and washed out/rinsed with warm-hot water and additive-free dish detergent. If distilled water is used, the recommendation is for the tank to be emptied every 2 days (about the time it takes me to use the water anyway) and wash as above.

They said nothing about the vinegar and water soak, as I recall. However, it was a long time ago as my memory works; maybe I have just forgotten that tidbit.

Karen,
Who likes FYI, apparently ahem.

It's all a matter of interpretation. Bear in mind that my view of the need for distilled water is coloured by a couple of things (read my earlier posts on this thread) and by the fact that tap water in Melbourne is very low in mineral content.

Anyway, the H4i manual says, and I quote "....fill with fresh clean water...'

In the FAQ section, the question "Do I have to use distilled water...?" Is answered with "Using distilled water will maximise the life of the water chamber and reduce mineral deposits"

I know where I'm going, and its not to the distilled water shop.

Cheers

K

kopoloff wrote:It's all a matter of interpretation. Bear in mind that my view of the need for distilled water is coloured by a couple of things (read my earlier posts on this thread) and by the fact that tap water in Melbourne is very low in mineral content.

Anyway, the H4i manual says, and I quote "....fill with fresh clean water...'

In the FAQ section, the question "Do I have to use distilled water...?" Is answered with "Using distilled water will maximise the life of the water chamber and reduce mineral deposits"

I know where I'm going, and its not to the distilled water shop.

Cheers

K

Just recently, I ran out of distilled water and had forgotten to pickup my usual 4 Litres (approx gallon) of distilled water, so that night I used tap water. Unfortunately, the city water here is highly Chlorinated! Yuck, the smell of chlorine was just sickening and I was so happy to go to the grocery store the next morining to pick up my distilled water that has no chlorine!

I use to drink our tap water which apparently has been rated highly as one of the best tap waters in North America (that's just the city's PR group in response to everyone buying bottled water! - I don't know where they get that information.) I can't drink chlorinated water it turns my stomach!

On the H3i humidifier, if you remove the metal heater plate from the base of the tank, you can clean the inside of the tank fairly easily with a cotton wool ball or small cloth, moving it around with a finger. I wash the tank in washing-up detergent daily, and clean as above every week.

I'm using low mineral content bottled drinking water which is available off the shelf in a supermarket. My local tap water is very hard and contains lots of iron. Yes the mineral water does produce crud, a slightly pink coating after several weeks use, even with daily washing.

Distilled water seems to be available only to order from a pharmacy, and I've never found it in stock anywhere in a retail store.

I've seen a picture of the H4i with 2 versions of the tank, one has a hinged metal base, by the look of it. Has anyone got one of these and did it come as standard with this tank? I imagine there's no issue cleaning that?

More importantly, does the H4i produce the stated 30% increase in humidity without running dry? I'm planning to buy one. My H3i doesn't produce enough in winter, even on maximum setting when it also runs dry before the end of the night. I've gone back to using my old Autoset Spirt with H2i humifier and heating the room at night to prevent condensation. That works well enough but the machine is much noisier.

This is the thread I started earlier this week after getting my H4i

viewtopic/t37149/Humidifier-games.html

Cheers

k

daveuk wrote:On the H3i humidifier, if you remove the metal heater plate from the base of the tank, you can clean the inside of the tank fairly easily with a cotton wool ball or small cloth, moving it around with a finger. I wash the tank in washing-up detergent daily, and clean as above every week.

I'm using low mineral content bottled drinking water which is available off the shelf in a supermarket. My local tap water is very hard and contains lots of iron. Yes the mineral water does produce crud, a slightly pink coating after several weeks use, even with daily washing.

Distilled water seems to be available only to order from a pharmacy, and I've never found it in stock anywhere in a retail store.

I've seen a picture of the H4i with 2 versions of the tank, one has a hinged metal base, by the look of it. Has anyone got one of these and did it come as standard with this tank? I imagine there's no issue cleaning that?

More importantly, does the H4i produce the stated 30% increase in humidity without running dry? I'm planning to buy one. My H3i doesn't produce enough in winter, even on maximum setting when it also runs dry before the end of the night. I've gone back to using my old Autoset Spirt with H2i humifier and heating the room at night to prevent condensation. That works well enough but the machine is much noisier.

My 3i tank is labeled specifically to NOT to remove the bottom metal plate.

crud = scale. Hard water deposits.

Mine I soak occasionally in a gallon baggie filled with white vinegar. Normally cleaned with a stiff bristled tooth brush and baby soap.

I noticed pink slime in the bottom of my tank today. I always use distilled water. I wash with regular dish soap every week, and I did a vinegar/water soak a few weeks ago. I soaked again with vinegar today and scooped out the slime with a toothpick. Is this safe to use now? (I feel like I'm coming down with a cold now, too).

I use Reverse Osmosis water. Its filtered to a high degree and is almost the same as distilled, but much easier to come by here. Its also treated with ozone to kill bacteria.

I rinse my tank every morning with HOT water, let dry and fill with fresh RO water every night. Wash once a week with mild soap, same time I wash the hose. So far no problems.

You can wash items that have a narrow neck with stainless steel ball bearings. Buy about 2 dozen small ones and pour into tank with a bit of mild soap, some warm water and swish gently. Cover the port with your hand, or some Duct Tape to keep them in.

They should help get rid of deposits. It may take a while to get everything out. Pour out into tea strainer over a mug to catch the ball bearings. Rinse, let dry and store in a clean jar with a lid, for next time.

The smaller the ball bearings, the better they can get into tight corners, but don't go too small or they won't be heavy enough to work. About 1/4 inch is a useful size. Slightly smaller is ok if you can get them.

The other alternative would be straight white vinegar, or denture cleaning tablets, as mentioned earlier, but that may damage your tank. I'd test first on the outside of the tank, on the top where slight damage wouldn't matter too much. Then if its ok, you could try it on the inside of the tank. I'd start with 1/4 of a tablet, instead of a whole one, which would make the solution weaker. You can always add more if you know its safe to do so.

Reverse osmosis water is salty - to the point it kills plants, even if you can't taste it yourself, and I would think it could eventually damage the tank too.

It's acqua distillata, and I believe you'll find it at a farmacia or large grocery store.