[Equipment] Rust (?) on the humidifier tank

[leonardocolato]

Hey people 

I started noticing this kind of rust a month ago, and slowly is getting bigger: https://imgur.com/a/8nSSboN (I've attached the image so you can see it in better quality). 

My machine is only 3 months old... Any ideas on what could be causing it?

It looks like the water is entering the place between the metal plate and the plastic, causing the rust because the humidity can't dry properly...

Info: I wash my machine's humidifier tank every day, sometimes with neutral detergent, sometimes with tap water only, and let it dry throughout the day. I use filtered water on my therapy.

[PeaceLoveAndPizza]

My tank is almost 6 years old and other than expected discolouration from use has no signs of rust or other problems. I do not wash it daily, in fact I may only wash it with dish detergent a few times a year. I only use home-made distilled water unless traveling and empty it every morning, then let it dry.

Have you run it dry a few nights? I wonder if the heated element with an empty tank had an impact. 

Have you run it through the dishwasher? I know some are "rated" as dishwasher safe, but I have never tried it.

Other than that I'm stymied. Personally I would replace it.

[OpalRose]

You state your Cpap is only 3 months old? A tank that has only 3 months use shouldn't look that bad.

What happened to the bottom metal plate? It should not have scratches on it. My tank is going on 7 months and has absolutely no scratches on it.

I'm stumped as to why there would be rust on it, unless it has a defect and is leaking.

Have you noticed any water leaking, or is it possible you are over filling it?

Regardless of the why.... you should consider replacing the tank.

Start taking better care of it. You don't need to scrub it or even wash it daily. I dump any water left over daily and refill.
I only wash it once a week with dawn dish soap. Rinse well and let air dry. No harsh scrubbing is needed.
Since I use distilled water, I have no issues with mineral or scum buildup.

[Big Guy]

My water reservoir is over 6 years old. It's the same one that came with my machine. I started out using distilled water in it, but after about a year, I went to using tap water. It still looks as good as new. No kidding!

The only thing I had to deal with, was some slight mineral deposits that were easily removed. But, it stopped doing that a few weeks ago. No idea why!  

If you are using a dish washer, you might want to rethink that. Really no need to, as long as you keep it clean. And, the water pressure that a dish washer develops, might force water into areas that won't allow air drying.

[G. Szabo]

Do you have the new "stainless steel" bottom on your evaporator, or is it still aluminum?

[Deborah K.]

Since I've switched to distilled water I never clean or even empty the tank, I just add more water every day and it stays clean and shiny.  I can't imagine what went wrong with yours.  

[Sleeprider]

You know, it's not the end of the world or your finances to change it for a new one. The Resmed tanks have changed and gotten better.

[greatunclebill]

insurance replaces the tank as often as one a month a month. just replace it.

[leonardocolato]

Have you run it dry a few nights? I wonder if the heated element with an empty tank had an impact. 

Have you run it through the dishwasher? I know some are "rated" as dishwasher safe, but I have never tried it.

I never ran it dry and never ran it through the dishwasher...

[leonardocolato]

What happened to the bottom metal plate?  It should not have scratches on it.  My tank is going on 7 months and has absolutely no scratches on it.  

I'm stumped as to why there would be rust on it, unless it has a defect and is leaking.

Have you noticed any water leaking, or is it possible you are over filling it?  

Regardless of the why....  you should consider replacing the tank.

Start taking better care of it.  You don't need to scrub it or even wash it daily.  I dump any water left over daily and refill.  
I only wash it once a week with dawn dish soap.  Rinse well and let air dry.  No harsh scrubbing is needed.  
Since I use distilled water, I have no issues with mineral or scum buildup.

I don't know about the scratches, I think it's the friction when I insert it on the machine? Because I don't scrub it harshly, I didn't even use a sponge or whatever to clean it.

I didn't notice any water leaking.

And I care a lot of it. In three months I probably washed it with detergent two times, when the mineral residues of the filtered water started to be visible. The other times I only use water and let it dry.

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Do you have the new "stainless steel" bottom on your evaporator, or is it still aluminum?

I don't know... How can I check it?