Floating particles/bits in humidifier tank

Recently I've started noticing a lot of floaty bits in my humidifier tank whenever I empty it in the morning.
I've tried getting a new tank, as well as replacing my mask, hose and filter, but I still keep seeing it every day.
I normally use tap water in it, but haven't noticed something like this ever before - usually it only starts looking bad after a couple days to a week, and without floaty bits in the water.
Since I started noticing this, I've been trying to clean it every day with vinegar and warm water, which removes any grainy texture in the tank. However, the next day I will once again find floaty bits in it.

Have anyone experienced something like this before? Any idea what I could do?

Bev07 wrote: ↑

Sun Apr 18, 2021 3:48 pm

Any idea what I could do?

distilled water.

or learn to live with the bits.

Do you use SoClean or other Ozone cleaner?
There have been reports of SoClean breaking down foam rubber within the device which then ends up in the humidifier.

Are you using an external room humidifier?
Some humidifiers, (sonic) release a white dust into the surrounding environment.

Dog Slobber wrote: ↑

Sun Apr 18, 2021 4:00 pm

Do you use SoClean or other Ozone cleaner?
There have been reports of SoClean breaking down foam rubber within the device which then ends up in the humidifier.

Are you using an external room humidifier?
Some humidifiers, (sonic) release a white dust into the surrounding environment.

Nope, no Ozone cleaner.
And my CPAP machine has its own built-in humidifier

How long have you been using the machine?
Do you know how many run hours it is showing?
When's the last time you changed the filter?

Pugsy wrote: ↑

Sun Apr 18, 2021 4:33 pm

How long have you been using the machine?
Do you know how many run hours it is showing?
When's the last time you changed the filter?

I don't know exactly how long I've had it for. I think about 2-3 years, or something like that.
It has been run for 4141 hours so far.
As mentioned, I changed the filter to see if that was the issue, which was earlier this week. Before that, I had probably changed it around 2 months prior.

Do these particles you see have any color to them?

Pugsy wrote: ↑

Sun Apr 18, 2021 4:56 pm

Do these particles you see have any color to them?

Hmm nope, not any distinct color.
It looks like small specks floating around, although sometimes I also see something like one or a couple of singular hair-like buildup stuck on the bottom.

Bev07 wrote: ↑

Sun Apr 18, 2021 4:48 pm

I changed the filter to see if that was the issue,

Does yours have both a coarse and fine filter?
fwiw - I use the 1st of each month as a reminder to check the filters to see if I want to change them, mine has two.

Using tap water can contribute to your problem.
Particles that get past your filters (and some will) end up in the humidifier water. Hopefully, we won't have to revisit this but tap water contains minerals that things which get by your filters will then feed on and grow.

But I was amazed to see this...

zonked wrote: ↑

Sun Apr 18, 2021 3:53 pm

distilled water.

This forum has a lot of angry folks who will argue about using distilled water (or peroxide) til the end of this world. I think when someone is bothered by the problem you are describing it is prudent to use distilled water to *rule out* tap water as the cause. And at 89-99 cents/gallon it should be within reason.

In fact, I would recommend using peroxide to clean this tank first, use a Q-tip to get in the corners, etc. make sure you get it all - do it again if you feel it needs it - then rinsing with distilled once or more. Avoid rinsing with tap water.

HTH

SleepGeek wrote: ↑

Sun Apr 18, 2021 7:00 pm

Does yours have both a coarse and fine filter?

OP is using a ResMed machine...they only have the one filter. The standard ResMed filter tends to be more "coarse" but there is a hypoallerginic filter available that is more dense....but only one at a time will be used.

Respironics is the only brand that I know of that uses the coarse and the optional fine filter at the same time.

To the OP:

I also second the idea to at least try distilled water just in case the particles are related to tap water use especially since the particles don't seem to have much color. About the only thing that might be coming apart in the blower unit is the foam sound proofing material and it has color to it that is real obvious. We have heard of ozone cleaner users finding that the ozone device causes breakdown of the foam in the blower but obviously if not using ozone cleaner we can't blame that device.
If the machine was really old and had a high number of hours...maybe the foam has dried out and coming apart and making its way to the water but the number of hours your machine has isn't all that high.

I use distilled water.
Eventually a little "science" happens, but I wash the tank with Dawn and hot water,
rinsing with hot water, followed with a splash of cheap vodka to kill any stubborn spores.
I can go a few weeks between cleanings with this procedure.
Those floating fungal threads are gross, but I keep them mostly dead.

chunkyfrog wrote: ↑

Sun Apr 18, 2021 8:17 pm

followed with a splash of cheap vodka to kill any stubborn spores.

While I like your style, peroxide is cheaper than cheap vodka,
call me cheep but using vodka also seems like a waste to boot, ha

SleepGeek wrote: ↑

Sun Apr 18, 2021 8:51 pm

chunkyfrog wrote: ↑

Sun Apr 18, 2021 8:17 pm

followed with a splash of cheap vodka to kill any stubborn spores.

While I like your style, peroxide is cheaper than cheap vodka,
call me cheep but using vodka also seems like a waste to boot, ha

I am not eager to inhale peroxide fumes.
It's not considered safe to use internally.
A whiff of vodka is almost pleasant, and the brand I use for cleaning is very cheap.

chunkyfrog wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 19, 2021 8:22 am

I am not eager to inhale peroxide fumes.
It's not considered safe to use internally.
A whiff of vodka is almost pleasant, and the brand I use for cleaning is very cheap.

Perhaps my smeller is deficient but I have never smelt a scent from peroxide, not inhaling it either and I don't stock cheep vodka.

SleepGeek wrote: ↑

Sun Apr 18, 2021 7:00 pm

- then rinsing with distilled once or more.

I do have Tito's in stock but that brings me back to peroxide.

Phillips vodka--pretty doggone cheap, and it gets better when it sits in a bottle for ten years.
Aging in vitro does happen, though rather slowly.