Salt water in humidifier?

[musicalhermies]

I have a Tropic Aire humidifier, and it works fine but I feel like I'm constantly cleaning it because it gets gunky and gross and mildewy.

Can I add salt to the water in the humidifier? Do you think it would help? And would it hurt the crabs?

Thanks

[orangefire]

I don't believe salt and the other heavy minerals in seawater can be carried by water vapor, so using SW may result in even more gunk to have to clean out of your humidifier as all the salt would be left behind in it.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong but I wouldn't recommend it.

Most commercial humidifiers work best when used with Distilled Water, and I'm sure yours is no exception. Distilled water has most of its mineral components removed, and the process kills off any lifeforms in the water, resulting in nearly pure water. A gallon costs like 69 cents at walmart.
Just make sure to still treat it for chlorine as this gas tends to make it through distillation, and although some companies remove it before bottling, others don't.