Slime in humidifier tank

So, I have one of the Resmed tanks that can't be opened (stupid design). and I have a layer of slime on the bottom of the tank. I use distilled water and empty it most nights, but I notice that it never dries out completely. I use vinegar and tap water to clean it out.
I know this topic has been discussed before.
Here are my questions:
1. what is the strongest stuff I can use in the tank to try to cut through the slime? Yesterday I tried Palmolive dishwashing liquid and vinegar and let it sit all day. That only caused me to spend about 15 minutes trying to get rid of bubbles before I went to bed.

2. Should I be cleaning it regularly with distilled water along with always using distilled water...no tap water at all?

3. How about drying it out? Should I try the hair dryer?

I have been using it about 4 1/2 months... My insurance company just changed equipment providers, so I will be getting a whole new machine, including a new humidifier, but don't know when that will be. They have changed to Apria.
I plan on requesting one of the tanks that comes apart.... but in the meantime this slime is yucky!!

Any suggestions would be great!!
Thanks,

Ruth

I don't understand this problem if you are using distilled water. I have a different machine/humidifier and I have been using distilled water in it for almost 8 months without cleaning it...Mine never dries out...I change humidifier cups at 1 year.

I have used a weak bleach solution in mine, about a tablespoon of bleach in a cup of water. Swish it around for a few seconds and it should do the trick. When you've finished check bottom of tank with a clean finger to see if it still feels slimy. Repeat if necessary. Then rinse with water as many times as needed until you can't smell bleach anymore.

I wouldn't leave it to soak in the bleach solution, however.

Thanks Randy, I will try the bleach solution and see if that works.

The tank can be taken apart...It takes a little finger power and patients, but it can be done... There is a youtube video that shows you how... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=scg8Nc9LkRo

I only do this procedure about every 4-6 weeks...

I use no tap water at all...

Hope this helps.

Following the video will help to clean the inside parts. Some have used denture tablets or rice (as an abrasive) if you want to search for those.

Another disinfectant to use would be peroxide.

The secret is not in drying out the tank. The secret is in never letting tap water touch your tank - that works everytime.

Now that you know and you are getting a new machine - Good Luck.

When I was too chicken to take mine apart, I put in a twisted strip of paper towel,
and shake it around with the sudsy water. It's easy to remove by a corner of the towel.

THANK YOU all!

I watched the video - couldn't get the tank open, not strong enough.

The bleach solution worked (had to do it twice) and used the twisted paper towel to swish it around.

So, it's FINALLY clean.... no more tap water, just distilled water from now on.

Thanks again for your replies.
Have a great day.

Ruth

Glad the bleach worked I tried to take mine apart according to the YouTube video but I was convinced I was going to break it, so after a few minutes I gave up and tried the bleach. Then I bought the one that comes apart easily for only $5 more.

Use a denture tablet with warm water, rinse with distilled water, works every time!

You mentioned never to let tap water touch your Tand, Did you mean for Humidity or for washing purposes ? I wasn mine with tap water and vinegar and no Problems as long as I rinse it well.

This one worked wonders for me.

1. Get BB's. Yes...the small shot that's used in BB guns. Pour BB's into the tank half way up the metal part and add short squirt of dish soap. Add water. Next is very important... put plug in sink especially if it contains a garbage disposal. BB's and disposals don't like each other!

2. Hold the tank so it is flat and gently shake the tank side to side, and around in a circle to slide the BB's around inside. They actively scour the metal part of the tank. If the slime is on the yellow water level indicator, use a little more arm action and tilt the tank onto it's side. Some BB's may escape (that's why you plug the sink). Do this for about a minute or longer if slime is real bad. Carefully pour off water and tip BB's out into a bowl.

3. Rinse tank very, very well with tap water until it no longer suds, AND do the final 2 rinses with Reverse Osmosis water or De-mineralized water.

I hope you are using RO water or demineralized water in the tank. Getting your tank dry each day will keep mold and slime away. Using a baking cooling rack turn tank upside down with the side opening facing a heat source. I use the top of the fridge. It runs often with warm air and dries the tank in no time. When traveling I use a hair dryer on low cool before packing it. And when at the destination immediately unpack and set tank out just in case.
Hope that beats the slime monster and sends it back into the Deep!
Cindy

The problem's not tap water. It's bacterial slime growing in your reservoir. Pseudomonas can live on almost nothing at all, and I'd expect that's the bug that's taken up residence in your humidifier.

Before the USP water loop was installed at work, our maintenance folks just about pulled all their hair out repeatedly changing filters in the deionized water loop that serviced the laboratories. Pseudomonas was found to be the culprit. Nobody could figure out what the carbon source was for the bug. The Micro folks just shrugged and said, "Pseudomonas happens." The new water loop has all kinds of safeguards, UV lights, ozone treatment, etc. to keep the bugs from proliferating.

I take my humidifier apart about once/month to clean, and finally got tired of the hassle of taking apart my non-takeapartable reservoir. So I invested about $30 in a new disassembleable one. Yes, I know that's not a word.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC273950/

Cindy Lou Who wrote:This one worked wonders for me.

1. Get BB's. Yes...the small shot that's used in BB guns. Pour BB's into the tank half way up the metal part and add short squirt of dish soap. Add water. Next is very important... put plug in sink especially if it contains a garbage disposal. BB's and disposals don't like each other!

Cindy good tip for those who got here late and need to scrub the insides. Maybe pouring the water outside in case some bb's come out would be safer? Or into a bucket or bowl?

I'm sure this idea works but for me it is easier to use distilled water and never introduce bacteria to the inside by rinsing with tap water or leaving the chamber exposed to room air to dry. Saves me time too

IF you must dry the water chamber after each use try using a spare cpap machine. Isn't that what they make re$med$ for?

[quote="GumbyCT"
IF you must dry the water chamber after each use try using a spare cpap machine. Isn't that what they make re$med$ for? [/quote]

GumbyCT, Thanks for keeping me in line! And yes bowl and bucket is used. It sometimes takes me several minutes to get that last BB out. Like playing a bead game where you have to get all the BB's to sit in holes in the board. That last one never wants to behave.
wishing you a good nights sleep!
Cindy