Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Im having some problems with mold or mildew in my basement where I have a 300 gallon pond enclosure for 3-1/2ft.AA. I just started running dehumidifier which fills in less than one day.Water temps in pond range from 90F(summer)to 80F(winter)heated by a stainless steel 300 watt heater.Evaporation rate seems to increase with warmer water temps.Should I try to maintain 80F year round? He spends more time basking when temps are at 80F. although he does spend much time in 80F water.Any suggestions on controlling humidity besides dehumidifier? and is 80F water sufficient for my healthy 3 year old?

I have had similar problems with large indoor ponds. What works very well but is expensive to do is the following. First use must enclose the area if it is not already. You must also build a top on the enclosure. This will keep the humidity from escaping the enclosure. Now you need to get the humidity out. You can a get what is called a dehumidistat with remote sensor. What this does is monitor the humidity in the enclosure and will power exhaust fans when a preset humditity level is reached. When the humidity drops down to the setting it will shut off the fans. The fans I use are common duct fans for furnace duct work. They come in sizes ranging from 4"-12" so depending on how large the enclosure is you can pick your size fan. I use flexible duct that I attach to the hood of the enclosure then run to the fan. From the fan I run more flexible duct that exhausts to the outside. This will take care of the humidity problem very well. As far as air pollutants such as smoke, mold, mildew you could use a room ozanator. Which will elimnate these pollutants and make the air in the enclosure smell very fresh. If interested you can find these products I speak of at www.greenair.com. This will also give you and idea of price. Hope this helps. Jason

Right now its more like a pond sitting in an open basement.The pond is not enclosed.I ran an exhaust fan out of the window all summer which worked out good but fall is here now so I covered the window and bought a dehumidifier a week ago.I guess the only way to solve this problem would be to enclose the area top to bottom,huh? His last enclosure was enclosed with small exhaust fan which worked great(low evaporation rate too)but I felt it was too confining for him so started this set up last year.Really was hoping to keep him contained with open sides and top rather than box him in again.Ive seen pics here before with enclosures in rooms(like bedrooms) with open fronts and sides(maybe some wire mesh/fencing around it to prevent escape).They must have similar humidity issues.Again thanks and more help is encouraged from anyone with experience.

If you live in a region that gets cold during the late fall and remains cold throughout winter the excess humidity will probably decrease once you fire up your furnace.