Ugh mold/mildew and other assorted problems

[Ryan81986]

Well I put some water in a couple weeks ago to try and test the humidity levels. Well now there is what I think is some mold/mildew in the container. Ugh, I really don't want to have to dismantle this thing to get the water tray out. Also it appears the thing is slighty rusting. So much for being real aluminum.

 

[alicefelldown]

What did you put the water into? I would guess it's an incubator but aluminum? Your post doesn't mention and it's a bit confusing.

 

[Ryan81986]

Yeah sorry. I built my own incubator out of an old cooler, similar to the gopherbator on the homemade page. The water pan is an aluminum throwaway pan that you get at the supermarket.

 

[rarebreedeggs4u]

I'm not speaking from experience, but I've heard Oxine is awesome for using for just about everything, even the incubator water to help control bacterial and fungual growth. I'd clean everything as well as you can and spray the parts you can't clean down with either a mild bleach solution or (if you can get it) and Oxine solution.

 

[Ryan81986]

I soaked the cooler with tons of disinfectant and bleach before I turned it into an incubator. Something must have come along on the pan or maybe the hardware cloth. Is it safe to put disinfectants in the water as it stands? Or will I have to take it apart and remove the pan and clean it out?

 

[dragonchick]

I would clean and disinfect EVERYTHING and then coat it with a thin layer of mold inhibiting 100% silicone. Aluminum does not rust but it will oxidize and leave a powdery substance. The silicone will prevent the humidity from contacting the offending parts. Those aluminum pans are not very strong and very prone to disintegration. A picture of your setup would help so folks can see what your dealing with.

 

[dragonchick]

I looked at the gopherbator and the only thing I can see that would cause a mold problem is the wood. Wood, especially if the wood is old/reclaimed contains a lot of mold/bacteria spores. I would disinfect the surface of the wood and coat that with silicone after it drys thoroughly.

ETA: The wood if uncoated would also absorb the water and mahe the humidity hard to regulate.