Pink stuff growing in my BiPap tank

It surprised me because normally my tank is clean when I go to clean everything so I just dunk and rinse. Today I spent a long time with a ton of q-tips cleaning every nook and cranny.

Then another rinse and it is drying now.

Anything else I should do? I hesitate to use anything other than soap and water to clean my tank with. I am just worried about the pink gunk.

Control II disinfectant.
Follow directions. Rinse well, REALLY well. Allow to air dry
Otherwise, slosh with 2 parts clean water and 1 part white vinegar.
Rinse, air dry.

Jaylee wrote:It surprised me because normally my tank is clean when I go to clean everything so I just dunk and rinse. Today I spent a long time with a ton of q-tips cleaning every nook and cranny.

Then another rinse and it is drying now.

Anything else I should do? I hesitate to use anything other than soap and water to clean my tank with. I am just worried about the pink gunk.

search the forum for pink slime it is believed to be caused by using tap water or washing the chamber with tap water which contains the pink bacteria you are seeing. most people report that just using distilled and not washing with tap has solved the problem for them

I use distilled water in the tank but yes, I do wash it with tap water. I am going to use the vinegar and try washing with distilled from now on.

Jaylee wrote:I use distilled water in the tank but yes, I do wash it with tap water. I am going to use the vinegar and try washing with distilled from now on.

M series tanks are dishwasher safe. Take it apart and wash it in the dishwasher. Use the hottest setting, longest cycle, and extra rinse.

Also, buy a spare tank and switch tanks when you clean it. Then let the clean one sit aside for a week to dry. You need a spare tank anyway.

Distilled water for washing is unnecessary, but if it makes you feel better, after washing with tap water, put in a small amount of distilled, shake it up and then dump it to rinse out anyresidue.

I would buy a spare tank, then once I got it, I'd take the old pink slime tank and sanitize it with hot water. I'd boil a large pot of water, then turn the heat off for a minute or two. Then I'd open the tank up and put it into the hot water and let it sit covered for at least 10 minutes as the water slowly cools off.

Jaylee wrote:It surprised me because normally my tank is clean when I go to clean everything so I just dunk and rinse. Today I spent a long time with a ton of q-tips cleaning every nook and cranny.

Then another rinse and it is drying now.

Anything else I should do? I hesitate to use anything other than soap and water to clean my tank with. I am just worried about the pink gunk.

Hi Jaylee!

Even with the 2 micron filters (if properly installed) some material will get through and some of it will find it's way to the bottom of your tank. It will probably contain some organic material and will probably become active organically. I think the red is from a kind of fungus - but too long since read.

Regardless, it hangs together with calcium compounds - so - I have often seen it recommended to use a half vinegar and half water mix. After the soapy water and a rinse then soak for a bit in the vinegar water - then the soap and water with a cloth or swabs - then a good long rinse.

How often will vary with where you live. I find my nose a good guide - see what the smell is like after the night. I seem to have mold here and seem to have to do the vinegar thing about every three days.

Have a great week!

Todzo