algae in my humidifier

[jpsantell]

Saturday night I put fresh distilled water in my humidifier, Sunday I went up to take a nap and smelled something a little funky when I turned on my cpap. The smell went away after a few seconds but last night when I went to check the level in my tank I saw algae in it , crap, it looked like my pool after a week long vacation. It's been hot and humid here but in all my years I have never seen anything like this. I cleaned it as best I could this morning also cleaned the mask and hose but do you think it will be ok to put a little bleach in the tank for a few hours soak to kill the algae? I of course will wash and rinse before I use it. Jeeze! I was breathing that crap, no wonder I have a cough that won't go away.

[OpalRose]

What sort of cleaning schedule do you follow? Your tank should be washed and rinsed once a week.

This is what I do:
First thing in morning, remove water chamber, empty water and leave air dry. Also leave the top cover to the humidifier open to allow air circulation though the humidifier.

I only use distilled water, and don't fill it until time for bed.

I wouldn't recommend using bleach. It may kill the algae, but then you will breath in that odor too. At this point, I would not use that chamber. Buy a new one! They aren't that expensive.

Also, that algae may be in your hose too. REPLACE IT!
You only have one set of lungs!

[green wings]

Everything I have read about cleaning CPAP machines says to never, ever use bleach. I was also told this by the respiratory therapist who showed me how to set up and use my CPAP machine when I got it.

Vinegar is recommended rather than bleach if you need a cleaner with some "bite" to it.

I agree with OpalRose about replacing your humidifier chamber. You can buy a new one from an online supplier for under $30, including shipping. (see list at the top of this page or just do a web search for "PR System One Humidifier Chamber". A new hose is probably a good idea, too. Those are less than $10.

Here's to algae-free breathing for you!

[chill]

I wonder if you got some bad distilled water. I'd think that algae needs something to eat and distilled water has nothing.

Fill it full of Hydrogen Peroxide, let it soak until it stops foaming, and rinse it out. That works for the mildew in the water tank of my coffee machine.

I suppose some aquarium snails are out of the question?

[eseedhouse]

I think Hydrogen Peroxide is a safe enough bleach. The usual chlorine bleaches should be avoided because they leave an awful smell behind unless washed many times. I have used H2O2 to sterilize my humidifier a number of times with not noticeable smell afterwards.

[justMongo]

Doesn't algae require light to survive? Algae blooms are usually near the surface, require CO2, and light for photosynthesis.
Or, am I off on my marine flora biology?

I think H2O2 is a great idea.

[eseedhouse]

I don't think we know he actually had algae growth unless he took samples and put it under a microscope. Just because it looks like algae doesn't mean it is. Algae are not visible individually without a microscope. Also, properly distilled water won't grow algae because there is nothing in it for them to eat. Plants require nutrients just as much as animals do.

[WakeUpTime]

I'm amazed how many people don't do a daily cleaning schedule, but prefer to do a hard chemical cleaning after a significant period of time.

Why not clean every day with a mild soap? I do this every day and I've never felt I needed to do a strong chemical cleanse -- even after two years.

Make it part of your daily morning routine to wash the tank and mask with soap each day. The hose should be washed at least once weekly. One part vinegar, one part water, is good as a gentle quick natural clean on everything too.

[OMyMyOHellYes]

I'm amazed how many people don't do a daily cleaning schedule, but prefer to do a hard chemical cleaning after a significant period of time.

Why not clean every day with a mild soap? I do this every day and I've never felt I needed to do a strong chemical cleanse -- even after two years.

Too much work, too little return?

If it bothers ya, go for it. However, I find dumping it out, letting it dry, always using bottled distilled water and throwing it in the dishwasher every few weeks works well.

OMMOHY

[eseedhouse]

I can't see the point of throwing away perfectly good distilled water, myself. I usually wipe the cushions each night with a wet wipe, mostly because I like the smell. Really folks, germs are all around us and within us and all over our skin all the time. Yet we still manage to live somehow.