Food coloring in humidifier water

LilBuckaroo · Post by **LilBuckaroo** » Sun Sep 18, 2005 4:28 pm

I have a ResMed S7 Lightweight CPAP with an attached humidifier.

What damage could I do to the humidifier if I put a small amount of food coloring into the water while it is still in the container? I use a gallon size jug of water.

I have over filled the tank many times by not being able to see the water. It would make it much easier to see the water level as I am filling the tank.

Thanks for your help.

dsm · Post by **dsm** » Sun Sep 18, 2005 4:37 pm

Now that is a good question.

Food coloring is obviously ok in our tummies, danged if I know what it would do in our lungs.

My 1st reaction is *no* don't do it. I doubt that anyone has done much research on people breathing in the ingredients of food coloring over sustained periods

Cheers\

DSM

rock and roll · Post by **rock and roll** » Sun Sep 18, 2005 5:04 pm

That's my first reaction too. Since it's not sold for that purpose, they would not have to warn even if they knew it caused cancer or other illnesses.

Fatigue Fighter · Post by **Fatigue Fighter** » Sun Sep 18, 2005 5:16 pm

I would not use food coloring. I'd be afraid of having a blue or red or green face in the morning from inhaling it. I would use permanent ink pen markers to mark the water line on the outside of the humidifier. Or, apply colored tape or something like that as an indicator of when you've added enough water. Reapply the marker line or tape as often as needed.

FF

Sleepless on LI · Post by **Sleepless on LI** » Sun Sep 18, 2005 5:29 pm

Funny this topic comes up now. I filled my humidifier tank while it was on the ground last night in a somewhat dark room. Thought I filled it correctly. When I turned on the machine and took a breath, I heard this loud gurgling sound. And every time I took a breath, it happened. When I looked closely at the humidifier tank, it was almost filled to the top. Had to disconnect the hose and pour a lot of water out. First time that's happened. Teach me not to do things with over-40 eyes in dim light again.

I agree, don't use the food coloring. Maybe get a mini droplight or something you can use, even a flashlight, while you're filling it up so you know where the water level is. Plus, I would think the food coloring will stain the inside of your tank eventually and you can't get in them to clean them well.

Grabraham · Post by **Grabraham** » Sun Sep 18, 2005 6:04 pm

How about popping a ping pong ball in the tank so you can see how high it is riding? it may not be a good idea because it might get noisy.. I would be afraid of putting any object in the tank that would either crumble or is small enought to fit in the hose to your mask but maybe some other "floater" would help you see the level?

Sleepless on LI · Post by **Sleepless on LI** » Sun Sep 18, 2005 6:08 pm

I don't think, first of all, you could fit a pingpong ball in the opening. Second, it might make a clicking noise against the sides of the tank all night that could be annoying.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Sun Sep 18, 2005 6:11 pm

Interesting creative idea, Grab!!

Perhaps float a little piece of sponge in there.

Grabraham · Post by **Grabraham** » Sun Sep 18, 2005 6:46 pm

LORI- my tank comes apart so I could put a ping-pong ball in there if I wanted to But I think it would get noisy and there is always the chance it would get blown up to the hose opening and cut off the airflow to the mask

Sleepless on LI · Post by **Sleepless on LI** » Sun Sep 18, 2005 6:50 pm

and there is always the chance it would get blown up to the hose opening and cut off the airflow to the mask

Ooo, not good!!!

Lucky you that yours comes apart. Then you can take it apart and clean it! I wonder if mine does and I just didn't know it. Which one do you use?

PS: Never mind. I just looked at your equipment and you have what I have. How does it come apart without causing leaks once you do it? Details, please...

Grabraham · Post by **Grabraham** » Sun Sep 18, 2005 6:55 pm

You just pop the metal bottom off. It has a silicone seal on the ridge and seals back up nice. I do not take it apart very often because I do worry that it can wear out eventually.

Sleepless on LI · Post by **Sleepless on LI** » Sun Sep 18, 2005 7:24 pm

Thanks, Grab. I don't think I'll take mine apart unless it gets bad looking, if it ever does. But it's good to know how.

unclebob · Post by **unclebob** » Sun Sep 18, 2005 8:39 pm

Hi Tenpin,

Actually food coloring is ok for the typical xpap user, providing of course they do have a humidifier. They even have special florescent coloring for Apniacs. A bit pricy but you can always check during the night what your level is. AND, it provides a bit of ambiance for the more amorous Apniacs who are not so concerned with treatment but choose to pursue other activities to help them breath deeper and faster (not sure if I got that in the right order but I guess one is as good as the other).

The real issue is a political one. You know, which color are you comfortable with. If you happen to be from a country or state where you are being watched - well you may not have a choice. Otherwise, you can pick whatever color the local grocery store sells. This too has it's drawbacks particularly in highly democratic locals (or those that profess to be).

For example, if all along you are a certain color, politically speaking, and you have been buying this food coloring all along to reflect your bias how can you change in mid refill? For sure the clerks at the store will know what you're up to and if you change stores people will really become suspicious. The problem becomes, after you choose a color and bet the farm it's the best one, the whole world becomes a certain hue and you do not see the other colors.

Better stick to just plain water, the more distilled the better. If it's hard to see the clear water just make a mark on the tank and watch very closely that the level is what's best for you.

Bob F

PS - Sleepless on LI, where exactly do you sleep? The dark room part I can understand - but on the ground?

Sleepless on LI · Post by **Sleepless on LI** » Sun Sep 18, 2005 8:46 pm

PS - Sleepless on LI, where exactly do you sleep? The dark room part I can understand - but on the ground?

Silly Uncle Bob, I don't sleep on the ground, but that's where I was sitting to refill my humidifier tank. By the way, I loudly laughed out loud at this last post of yours. Where do you get these ideas from, or I should say, how do you think these up? And don't say they just automatically appear in your head after a few Johnny Walker Blacks. I'm not buying that one.

gracie97 · Post by **gracie97** » Sun Sep 18, 2005 9:27 pm

I have over filled the tank many times by not being able to see the water. It would make it much easier to see the water level as I am filling the tank.

I'd be wary of adding food coloring too.

How about just keeping a cup or glass or jar what holds about the right volume of water near your set-up so you can pour the water into that first to measure it and then pour from that container into the humidifier?

I find it difficult to pour accurately and without spilling out of a gallon jug of distilled water. Wouild be easier from a smaller container.

You may be thinking, though, of topping the water off in the humidifer. In that case, you might look for a second measure that just holds approximately the amount you use up on a typical night -- a shot glass perhaps -- and use that to top off the container.

Grace

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Food coloring in humidifier water

Food coloring in humidifier water

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