Fine white floaty things in water chamber?

I noticed the other night that there was some very thin, clear/white, floaty stuff in the chamber. I only use distilled water. I don't ever really clean the tank, though.

It did not have a color to it (besides white--which contrasts with the clear water). It was just floating around, like a jellyfish would. I dumped the water, and added more distilled water.

Today, I cleaned the tank with a drop of dishwashing liquid/generic-Dawn, rinsed with tap water (first time ever getting tap water into this reservoir), and then rinsed with distilled water. Letting it air dry for now.

It is the "fungus amongus".
Maybe a slime mold? Probably harmless, but icky
Just dump, wash, and put in new (preferably distilled) water.
It is everywhere, but not welcome in anybody's tank.

Thanks! Hopefully I got rid of it with my brief cleaning. I'm wary of putting tap water in there because the last time I did regular cleaning/use w/tap, it created a significant mineral deposit on the bottom, and I would wake up coughing when using tap for my water.

Is the bottom of the water chamber flaking off? I have seen silver particles in the water and am not pleased. I think that cleaning with a drop or two in vinegar in water may help clean up the water chamber when it starts deteriorating. White stuff does not just get there by itself and I would not want to breathe it. Let us know if you figure out where the white particles are coming from.

The A10 water chamber is the only thing that I think Medicare is too stingy in replacing. They allow many CPAP accessories to be replaced every 3 months, but I think the water chamber is supposed to last for 6 months. Mine gets flaky long before that.

Maryland CPAPer 2

MarylandCPAPer2 wrote: ↑

Sun Aug 02, 2020 9:09 pm

Is the bottom of the water chamber flaking off? I have seen silver particles in the water and am not pleased. I think that cleaning with a drop or two in vinegar in water may help clean up the water chamber when it starts deteriorating. White stuff does not just get there by itself and I would not want to breathe it. Let us know if you figure out where the white particles are coming from.

The A10 water chamber is the only thing that I think Medicare is too stingy in replacing. They allow many CPAP accessories to be replaced every 3 months, but I think the water chamber is supposed to last for 6 months. Mine gets flaky long before that.

Maryland CPAPer 2

Yes! I did have some silver/black particles floating for a little while (couple months?) prior to noticing the jellyfish substance thing.

This happened with my prior chambers too, and I was told that's no big deal, so I let it be.

I think from now on, maybe I'll only fill the water somewhat between the half line and the minimum line and see if it helps with keeping fresher water cycling through the machine. I tend to fill up to the max and then let it sit for a few days until I run through the water.

Jellyfish things?? You are more tolerant than I! Remember that we are breathing these things in during sleep. I don't want any foreign critters in my water! Who told you they are no big deal??

I empty the chamber every day and fill it to the maximum (and not a hair above) every night. I usually have to refill the chamber during the night. I would say the silvery particles start sloughing off the bottom metal part of the water chamber after a month or two, long before Medicare allows for replacement. By the time six months rolls around, the bottom of the water chamber has deteriorated to the point that I am way past being ready to replace it.

Maryland CPAPer2

MarylandCPAPer2 wrote: ↑

Sun Aug 02, 2020 9:09 pm

. . . I think the water chamber is supposed to last for 6 months. Mine gets flaky long before that.

Maryland CPAPer 2

My cleanable tanks last at least a year, but I'll order a new one on my machine's anniversary. They don't wear out for me, but maybe because I refuse to go overboard cleaning them.

They only float like jellyfish, but are just little wavy stringy things that float around. Hopefully not sentient

MarylandCPAPer2 wrote: ↑

Sun Aug 02, 2020 9:59 pm

Jellyfish things?? You are more tolerant than I! Remember that we are breathing these things in during sleep. I don't want any foreign critters in my water! Who told you they are no big deal??

No, we are not breathing water born material from our humidifier tanks.

Minerals, pathogens and other material can not travel in water vapour. That's why they are left in the tank.

Do you know what the difference is between the distilling process with a distiller and the humidification process from your CPAP? Nothing, except the temperature. Distilling uses a higher temperature to speed the process up.

There is no difference between the byproduct of distilling and your CPAP humidifier, water vapour, and should the water vapour condense back into liquid the water is effectively distilled.

MarylandCPAPer2 wrote: ↑

Sun Aug 02, 2020 9:59 pm

I empty the chamber every day and fill it to the maximum (and not a hair above) every night. I usually have to refill the chamber during the night. I would say the silvery particles start sloughing off the bottom metal part of the water chamber after a month or two, long before Medicare allows for replacement. By the time six months rolls around, the bottom of the water chamber has deteriorated to the point that I am way past being ready to replace it.

This is because of the left over sediment and minerals.

As needed, fill your tank with a 50-50 mixture of water and vinegar (or lemon juice).

I've been using my ResMed AS 10 tank since March 2018, with tap water changed daily and it looks brand new.

I would replace it. I also empty out my humidifier chamber and clean it with mild soap every day.

MarylandCPAPer2 wrote: ↑

Sun Aug 02, 2020 9:59 pm

Jellyfish things?? You are more tolerant than I! Remember that we are breathing these things in during sleep. I don't want any foreign critters in my water! Who told you they are no big deal??

Maryland CPAPer2

You seem to have some misconceptions about how PAP humidification works. Here's some information you might find helpful.

https://www.sleepapnea.org/treat/cpap-t ... ification/