humidifiers and mold?
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graydon
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I wouldn't say your paranoid but cautious, yes. There is nothing wrong with being cautious, especially for such delicate creatures. You need to have the humidifier on a timer. Lets say 4 times a day for 2 minutes. Something like that.
You would only have a mold problem if the cage was constantly wet and damp.
RPCV
Avid Member
Using supplemental humidification (giving a room more moisture than nature intended) often results in mold growth but it can be managed if you have a basic understanding of moisture dynamics. It also depends on whether you are referring to mold growth in the humidifier itself (simply clean it routinely), the enclosure (give it some "dry time" every day) or on materials/surfaces in the room (a bit more complex).
Where are you located (what type of climate)?
Where are you located (what type of climate)?
i live in canada winter cold and dry, summer hot and muggy, my room humidity is hovering around 40% (without the humidifier) i just worry about mold in my walls hurting my animals and myself
RPCV
Avid Member
40% is no where near sufficient for mold to grow using humidity alone. Your only possible problem will be from condensation.
For condensation: If the relative humidity in your room is 40% and assuming the temperature in the room is 70 degrees F (21 degrees C) then the dew point would be about 45 degrees F (7 degrees C). This means that condensation (and likely mold growth) will occur on any surface where the temperature of the surface is below 45 degrees.
It all depends on how cold it is outside and how well your walls and windows are insulated. Measure wall temperatures. This is fast and easy if you have a temp gun or just attach the probe of a digital thermometer to the wall moving it occasionally to look for cold spots. If any areas of the wall are close to 45 degrees then you may have problems.
Keep in mind this is most likely to occur during the middle of winter when it is very cold outside. Wait for a particularly nasty day then measure room temperature & relative humidity then do a google search for dew point calculator. Once you get the dew point then check your wall surface temps to see if you're close to this number. You are most likely to find the problems on exterior walls where insulation is thin (such as corners or where the wall meets the ceiling or on windows.
If there is a problem one of two things can be done to fix it - lower humidity or raise wall surface temperatures.
For condensation: If the relative humidity in your room is 40% and assuming the temperature in the room is 70 degrees F (21 degrees C) then the dew point would be about 45 degrees F (7 degrees C). This means that condensation (and likely mold growth) will occur on any surface where the temperature of the surface is below 45 degrees.
It all depends on how cold it is outside and how well your walls and windows are insulated. Measure wall temperatures. This is fast and easy if you have a temp gun or just attach the probe of a digital thermometer to the wall moving it occasionally to look for cold spots. If any areas of the wall are close to 45 degrees then you may have problems.
Keep in mind this is most likely to occur during the middle of winter when it is very cold outside. Wait for a particularly nasty day then measure room temperature & relative humidity then do a google search for dew point calculator. Once you get the dew point then check your wall surface temps to see if you're close to this number. You are most likely to find the problems on exterior walls where insulation is thin (such as corners or where the wall meets the ceiling or on windows.
If there is a problem one of two things can be done to fix it - lower humidity or raise wall surface temperatures.
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