weird black substance inside of humidifier tank

[Diotima]

So I went to go clean my tank. I'll admit I'm kind of lazy so it had been around 2 weeks since I cleaned it. Inside along the seam right above where the metal ends was a weird black substance. I suspect it was mold but wasn't sure. I rinsed the tank thoroughly with water and dish cleaning soap then because of the odd location of the "mold" I used a combination of Q-tips, and a Toothpick to scrap and clean whatever it was off. I then rinsed the tank in Isopropyl Alcohol and went thoroughly over the same spots.

Has anyone had something similar? I use only distilled water and it kind of caught me off guard. I don't feel sick at all so I suspect I am fine.

Check your tanks people! I use a ResMed AirSense 10.

[LSAT]

How's your air filter?

[Diotima]

How's your air filter?

Just changed it out, it looked fine. I went ahead and ordered some replacement hypoallergenic filters and a new humidifier tank from CPAP dot com.

I also soaked the current tank in cleaning vinegar for half a hour. It looks pretty clean now. I don't see anything on the hose or mask either so I think its isolated to the tank.

[palerider]

How's your air filter?

Just changed it out, it looked fine. I went ahead and ordered some replacement hypoallergenic filters and a new humidifier tank from CPAP dot com.

I also soaked the current tank in cleaning vinegar for half a hour. It looks pretty clean now. I don't see anything on the hose or mask either so I think its isolated to the tank.

If vinegar doesn't get it... bleach will,

[chunkyfrog]

I prefer vodka--cheaper for cleaning; better product for sipping.

[Julie]

It's been found in the past that some people burn candles that leave a residue in the air and on surfaces... if this fits in your case, you may have an answer.

[zonker]

I prefer vodka--cheaper for cleaning; better product for sipping.

do you sip it from the humidifier tank?

[chunkyfrog]

I prefer vodka--cheaper for cleaning; better product for sipping.

do you sip it from the humidifier tank?

Not yet--but there's an idea!

[zonker]

I prefer vodka--cheaper for cleaning; better product for sipping.

do you sip it from the humidifier tank?

Not yet--but there's an idea!

Cheers!
<clink>

[D.H.]

Does anybody in your household smoke?

[Gryphon]

My suspicion would be it's like the black gunk that grows on the grout in your shower... if you want to call it mold or mildew or what ever doesnt mater. Its gross and what ever is creating it is probably airborne like a spore or bacteria. Clean your tank with some mouthwash or alcohol. I like the idea of vodka because technically you could drink it so I feel its safer to use then bleach.

Check your house for active mold or active growing gunk. In my case when I had this exact problem my bedroom was on the shaded side of a house and just outside my bedroom window was a wall of man made slate roofing shingles that were utterly covered in black stuff, mold, moss, lots of nature... I suspect the window seals were old and all that lovely nature was making it's way into my bedroom through the window and being sucked into my machine were it would grow on the seal edges of my mask. I had to clean my mask and hose and water chamber weekly or I'd find that nature growing in my machine.

When I moved to a new house this problem went away and I rarely if ever have to clean my equipment, just my mask with a baby wipe to get the oils off it.

Look to your environment to see if you have an actively growing problem that is getting sucked into your machine.

Best of luck,

Gryphon