What Is This?

I clean the water tank,(Rrespironics M series) hose and mask once a week using warm tap water (Well water thru a softener) and vinegar and let everything air dry. When putting the water tank back together, I noticed a film on the inside of the bottom of the tank. Used a Q-Tip to wipe it off, it shows a pinkish red tint on the Q-tip! I cleaned it again, this time using Dawn with hot water, scrubbed it inside with a brush. Then soaked everything once more in a water vinegar solution. Everything looks good while wet but once it dries, some of the red film is back in the corners where I couldn't get the brush in.
Anyone know what this is?
How do I get rid of it?
I am tempted to mix up a bleach solution, is that safe?
I use distilled water, have had the CPAP going on one year. I replaced the tank about three months ago, looking at the old tank which was stored in a plastic bag I see the same film!

Try cleaning it with dawn and distilled water. If thats the fix its your well water.

BillH wrote:I clean the water tank,(Rrespironics M series) hose and mask once a week using warm tap water (Well water thru a softener) and vinegar and let everything air dry. When putting the water tank back together, I noticed a film on the inside of the bottom of the tank. Used a Q-Tip to wipe it off, it shows a pinkish red tint on the Q-tip! I cleaned it again, this time using Dawn with hot water, scrubbed it inside with a brush. Then soaked everything once more in a water vinegar solution. Everything looks good while wet but once it dries, some of the red film is back in the corners where I couldn't get the brush in.
Anyone know what this is?
How do I get rid of it?
I am tempted to mix up a bleach solution, is that safe?
I use distilled water, have had the CPAP going on one year. I replaced the tank about three months ago, looking at the old tank which was stored in a plastic bag I see the same film!

The reddish/pinkish stuff is a serious bacteria found when using tap water. If you check the edges of your sink closely you will be surprised to see it there too.

Either don't clean it or use Distilled when you do. Vinegar should help neutralize and remove that bacteria.

I think we introduce more problems the more we open and touch our equipment hoses, tanks, etc. Even if our intent is laudable.

JMMO - Just My Meaningless Opinion.

IF it ain't broke - don't fix it.

Bill, what you are seeing is a build up of bacteria in a biofilm. A brush will get rid of it, but you will need something stronger than vinegar to disinfect it. Clorox will kill of the remaining bacteria after you scrape it off with a brush, but it won't kill it simply by rinsing with it.

Distilled water will minimize re-growth.

I am not convinced that it is a major health problem. The way these units work the water is only heated up enough to cause some evaporation. This tends to leave the bacteria in solution and concentrate them as the water level gets down. If all the water evaporates out, you may have an issue as the tank dries out, but if you keep water in the tank, it can grow for quite some time.

Regular cleaning and disinfection should prevent it from coming back.

Chlorox will certainly kill the bacteria.

A few minutes' soak with 3% hydrogen peroxide also should kill any living microorganism. Plus, the foaming may break up the film where your brush can't reach.

My experience has been that a trip through the dishwasher takes care of that red bacteria film.

Thanks everyone. I am fighting a nagging upper resp. issue so I am looking for anything that may contibute. Using perixide sounds good, I will try that on one and put the other tank in the dishwasher.
Thanks again.