how to clean the tank? I love my cow humidifier, but after one month I found there is some pink stuff at the bottom of the tank. How can I clean the tank and get rid of that stuff?
558700
I don't have the cow, but I do have the frog. The top of the frog's head can be twisted off, revealing the channel where the water mist comes up. I use a toothbrush with some toothpaste to scrub off any algae or mold in the hard to reach areas in the channel. For the tank, I use some white vinegar and shake vigorously. You can add some rice to the tank to increase the scrubbing power. For the bottom where algae tends to grow, I just sock it with vinegar and bruch with toothbrush again. Vinegar cleans well and does not irritate the air passage way as much as bleach.
558701
Use hot water and vinegar and a bottle brush it works perfect and do it weekly if you can.
558702
I too have the frog and lost the paper instructions but found a soft copy on-line. Everyone that said use vinegar was correct. Here's the link: http://crane-usa.com/use-and-care.html
558703
But HOW??? None of these things open up, and you can't reach around corners with sponges or hands through these tiny openings. Can someone please explain this to me? Is it a design flaw with literally ALL humidifiers or am I missing something? How do you get into the damn tank to clean the brownish/pinkish sediment that begins to coat them?Thanks!Melissa
558704
I have the EXACT same problem....did the vinegar work? I can't find my user's manual.......
140164
I just use vinegar, to loosen the deposits, and a brush (they supply a nice little brush) on the base. You can, however, purchase special cleaning fluids for humidifiers if you prefer. For the tank, I use a dilute hydrogen peroxide solution just once a year, usually at the beginning of the season.
1075677
The reservoir may be too full, or not full enough. Perhaps the plastic cover part connected to the tube is not seated correctly. I hate to suggest it, but make sure the separate toggle switch on the back of the unit is in the ON position. It could also be broken - I don't get the impression that the unit itself is very well designed or crafted. I don't even use the humidifier function on mine anymore. It's almost impossible to keep clean. It gets moldy in the transfer tube very easily. I wish I could return it and get a designated humidifier that was designed for that purpose. In hindsight, I would recommend that you avoid this gimmicky product. It promises way more than it can deliver. The reservoir may be too full, or not full enough. Perhaps the plastic cover part connected to the tube is not seated correctly. I hate to suggest it, but make sure the separate toggle switch on the back of the unit is in the ON position. It could also be broken - I don't get the impression that the unit itself is very well designed or crafted. I don't even use the humidifier function on mine anymore. It's almost impossible to keep clean. It gets moldy in the transfer tube very easily. I wish I could return it and get a designated humidifier that was designed for that purpose. In hindsight,... » Read More The reservoir may be too full, or not full enough. Perhaps the plastic cover part connected to the tube is not seated correctly. I hate to suggest it, but make sure the separate toggle switch on the back of the unit is in the ON position. It could also be broken - I don't get the impression that the unit itself is very well designed or crafted. I don't even use the humidifier function on mine anymore. It's almost impossible to keep clean. It gets moldy in the transfer tube very easily. I wish I could return it and get a designated humidifier that was designed for that purpose. In hindsight, I would recommend that you avoid this gimmicky product. It promises way more than it can deliver. « Show Less
2277656
The answer by "brbrigs" is correct! I just received mine in the mail and set it up and there was no mist coming out. Apparently I filled my tank with too much water and it looked like the basin at the base was a huge pool of water. I dumped that out and poured a few cups of water out of the tank. I restarted the humidifier and there is a strong mist coming out now! Try that. I think it'll work.
2194382
I think it might be from the foam filter that needs cleaned out once in a while. Ours stopped picking up the other day and it was also from the foam filter,,,i cleaned it then it worked fine. Hope this helps some for ya!
847801
I have an ancient fish tank motor (same principal) sometimes the impeller(little fan like thing that moves the water)gets clogged Carefully under running water try to flush it out. A little food/whisker whatever may be stuck. Goodluck
1128166
Mine has started to do this as well. I usually try to take the tanks off and clean the unit with warm water and try to remove any dust or dirt from the filter. It also depends where the humidifier is located. It should be on an inside wall
1790695
If you are having to regularly fill your removable tank (2 to 3 times a day) your home is likely so dry that it will take awhile to get the humidity up, but if the tank isn't emptying regularly, the wick/filter may not be installed correctly, if it is not, it won't transfer the water to the air correctly,we run ours on medium fan speed and go through 2 to 3 tanks of water daily, hope this helps:)
2227240
You need to fill up your water tank once again when you see the "F" show up. Don't forget to add the bacteriostatic agent so you don't grow any mold. Good luck. I love my humidifier and it is wonderful to have a much moister environment. Arlene.
1121477
I had one for 2 years - never had to clean inside. I do use a liquid that is specially for humidifiers that keeps the white stuff down - add a little to water when I refill the tank. when you are ready to store - drain all the water out. I do put a little vaseline on the rubber ring to keep it from drying out.
1037767
We have had the tank just over a month and haven't had to clean it. There is a film of calcium build up on the outside because there is a little water that splashes out. Even tho we condition the water before adding. We have really hard water. We just have to add water every few days. Compared to our old tetra tank? Love it!
217872
My tank was a mess. I've only used it once so far and it is spotless. It's been about 2 months at least. I'm glad I bought it!
866230
You do need to clean the tank out. I believe the instructions said once a week: You dump out the majority of the water, and then refill it with more bottled water. I did not 'clean' it any further. These are underwater frogs....I am not sure though the answer to your last question.
1124923
I have had my humidifier for three years now and have never had a problem. I think if it were mine I would clean it very,very well with bleach then use water conditioner they sell for them I use the little blue ball and water conditioner both.
607841
No, I've never had any problems with my tank at all. you may have just got a defective one. you may need to get it replaced.
1816603
There is a balloon like lining in the tank itself. You fill this with water. As you are cleaning this empties & the dirty water fills in around the outside of the liner. Just dump out the dirty water , rinse & refill. Works great.
878537
It's quite simple: you just lift the tank and rinse out the base with cold water (be careful not to get water into the spout). The specs recommend that you disinfect with vinegar every week, but we do it about once a month or so with no adverse effects.The daily (or once every two days) rinse is important though, without that you'll get mineral depositing.What I really like about the humidifier (besides the quiet operation) is that there is no filter. Those things get really dirty really fast because they suck up dust, etc from the air. Instead, the atomizer gives you a cool clean visible mist. It's quite simple: you just lift the tank and rinse out the base with cold water (be careful not to get water into the spout). The specs recommend that you disinfect with vinegar every week, but we do it about once a month or so with no adverse effects.The daily (or once every two days) rinse is important though, without that you'll get mineral depositing.What I really like about the humidifier (besides the quiet operation) is that there is no filter. Those things get really dirty really fast because they suck up dust, etc from the air. Instead, the atomizer gives... » Read More It's quite simple: you just lift the tank and rinse out the base with cold water (be careful not to get water into the spout). The specs recommend that you disinfect with vinegar every week, but we do it about once a month or so with no adverse effects.The daily (or once every two days) rinse is important though, without that you'll get mineral depositing.What I really like about the humidifier (besides the quiet operation) is that there is no filter. Those things get really dirty really fast because they suck up dust, etc from the air. Instead, the atomizer gives you a cool clean visible mist. « Show Less