Gritty residue in reservoir and other ResMed 11 problems

[hypopneac]

My wife and I both use ResMed 11 CPAP machines, refilling the two reservoirs with distilled water each morning after use is completed.  I have noticed the accumulation at the bottom of the reservoirs, particularly visible on the surface of the silvery disc which comprises most of that surface, of a thin layer of very fine grit.  The particles are extremely small, much less than the finest grains of sand.  So now I've taken to dumping out the remaining water and wiping the insides with paper towels before refilling them.  I find it hard to believe that these tiny specks are from the water; is something shaving them off the innards of the reservoirs or migrating into them from the machines?

A second issue is that after refilling the two reservoirs while they're on a bathroom counter, there's often a small puddle of water found under mine, but not hers.  No visible leak source can be seen underneath.  Also, when reinserting my reservoir into my machine, I must almost slam it in to avoid a major air leak when it is turned on many hours later at bedtime.  Even so, sometimes I must turn it off, remove and reinsert it because a leak still occurs someplace where it enters the machine.

Last issue:  after reinserting the filled reservoir each morning, I must elevate the hose as it comes out of the machine to avoid water migrating inside it during the day.  Otherwise there will be annoying banging noises heard at the onset of therapy during inspiration, which require me to stop, disconnect the hose from the machine and the mask, hold it vertically and shake out the water that's accumulated inside.

What's going on here?

[Sleeprider]

Grocery store distilled water may come from several different processes including distillation and filtration/reverse osmosis. This is not lab grade water and it is not rated as sterile. I use tap water, and have a lot more calcium in Florida than when I lived in PA. Anyway, I don't know why it surprises you. Try boiling a few inches of your water source in a pan and see what you get. Water in the tubing is common, and the solution is to always route the hose up from the device before it drops down to your mask.

[hypopneac]

It surprises me because I did not expect visible particles of anything to be found in distilled water.  I have expertise in a number of technical fields, but the contents of water products is not one of them.  Distilled water is required per the specifications of my device.  I will try boiling some and see what residue is found.  Thank you for your reply.

[round kid]

I have had the same gritty residue (I boil my well water to get sterility, and there's no grit in my cooking pans, but it collects in the Resmed reservoir after use) 

I have assumed it was mineral deposits, and a splash of vinegar dissolves it easily.

[hypopneac]

Thanks for the helpful reply!

[Big Guy]

Even though I have had some issues with mineral deposits in the water chamber, I never noticed any grittiness in the tap water I use. 

Odd thing is, for the last few weeks, there is no more mineral deposits, even though I'm still using the same tap water. 

[hypopneac]

Well, I'm using distilled rather than tap water because that's supposedly what the 11 requires.  You have the 10,; I think that's different as to the water requirement which probably explains your use of tap water, so our experiences are not comparable.

I get it that there can be deposits in the distilled water which account for the tiny specks of grit, and that it's normal for the hose to need to be elevated where it exits the machine to keep water from migrating in during the day.  As to my other questions, I'm still waiting for someone to come up with a plausible explanation for the small puddle of water found underneath after I fill my water chamber on the countertop, while my wife's (an older ResMed 11 by a few months) doesn't do that.  Or why I have to almost slam the thing into its socket in the machine to try to preclude an air leak where it meets the machine when it is started up at night, and sometimes I then have to do it again when it's apparent that the initial insertion did not prevent that.

[greatunclebill]

according to manufacturers all machines should use distilled water. that is not something new to your new machine. distilled water works best so most people go with it. if however, you use tap water you're not committing a crime.  in tap water you may grow some fuzzies. if you change the water frequently you won't get any. insurance pays for a new water tank and hose every 90 days. if you're having problems, simply replace the hose and tank.

[Big Guy]

Well, I'm using distilled rather than tap water because that's supposedly what the 11 requires.  You have the 10,; I think that's different as to the water requirement which probably explains your use of tap water, so our experiences are not comparable.

I get it that there can be deposits in the distilled water which account for the tiny specks of grit, and that it's normal for the hose to need to be elevated where it exits the machine to keep water from migrating in during the day.  As to my other questions, I'm still waiting for someone to come up with a plausible explanation for the small puddle of water found underneath after I fill my water chamber on the countertop, while my wife's (an older ResMed 11 by a few months) doesn't do that.  Or why I have to almost slam the thing into its socket in the machine to try to preclude an air leak where it meets the machine when it is started up at night, and sometimes I then have to do it again when it's apparent that the initial insertion did not prevent that.

I started out using distilled water cause that's what my 10 AutoSet required. But.....after some discussion on this very forum about distilled water vs. tap water, I started using tap water. 

It was a good move, saved me some money, and I accomplished the same objective. In regards to a water leak in your water reservoir, get a new one and discard the old one. 

No idea though as to why you seem to have difficulty inserting the reservoir into the machine to obtain a good seal. 

[hypopneac]

Thanks, Big Guy!