Mould control?

allan gould · #1 21-05-2011, 09:45 AM

Are any other members having problems with mould in their observatories. At the moment with queenslands string of wet and humid weather I have found that a fiberglass dome can be a haven for mould. At present I've tried quite a few things to keep it at bay as I just don't want it into my optics. The best I have found is EXIT MOULD spray and wipe off, but I'm careful to keep it only on the observatory surfaces and nowhere near optics or electronics.
I'm thinking of installing a de-humidifier but I'm interested in what others do.
Allan

adman (Adam) · #2 21-05-2011, 09:54 AM

I don't have an observatory, but there is so much mould around at the moment. I have heard that if you wash it off with a mixture of clove oil and water (not sure of details, but a quick google search will do it) it helps to stop regrowth.

Tandum (Robin) · #3 21-05-2011, 11:42 AM

I have some on the bottom of a couple of the wood panels I have put into a couple of wall cavities around the base of the dome. That seems to show me where water has been seeping in between the base ring and the wall skin. I was going to reseal the base ring to the wall and replace the effected wood eventually. I don't get any condensation inside the dome at all, the foam is too thick for that I expect.

renormalised (Carl) · #4 21-05-2011, 11:46 AM

Molds don't like caustic environments. The more caustic, the less they like it. It will kill them. You can use neat bleach (don't dilute it) to wash things down with. That should help prevent it from coming back. But do it in a well ventilated environment. If you dilute it, then do a 1:1 mix of bleach and water.

renormalised (Carl) · #5 21-05-2011, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tandum

I have some on the bottom of a couple of the wood panels I have put into a couple of wall cavities around the base of the dome. That seems to show me where water has been seeping in between the base ring and the wall skin. I was going to reseal the base ring to the wall and replace the effected wood eventually. I don't get any condensation inside the dome at all, the foam is too thick for that I expect.

You may find that your foam dome actually has water in it, just not enough to come through. It wouldn't surprise me at all if you sampled it, there'd be mold hyphae in the foam. It maybe not bad enough to do anything about, though, but I would seal it anyway.

Tandum (Robin) · #6 21-05-2011, 08:10 PM

It is sealed and there is no water in it.

mental4astro (Alexander) · #7 22-05-2011, 10:03 AM

Do a google search of:

shannon lush mould oil of cloves

Bleech is a nasty, corrosive chemical, much misused, but it won't kill mould & will stuff your gear. Mould WILL return sooner if bleech alone is used compared with Shannon's mix.

Ventilation will help best, along with better water/damp proofing.

Having a builder may help identify problem areas better.

renormalised (Carl) · #8 22-05-2011, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tandum

It is sealed and there is no water in it.

So, it is sealed...no water then. However, I'd be seeing to the base ring on the bottom of the wall as quickly as I could, if I were you. You don't want any water getting in!!!.

renormalised (Carl) · #9 22-05-2011, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mental4astro

Do a google search of:

shannon lush mould oil of cloves

Bleech is a nasty, corrosive chemical, much misused, but it won't kill mould & will stuff your gear. Mould WILL return sooner if bleech alone is used compared with Shannon's mix.

Ventilation will help best, along with better water/damp proofing.

Having a builder may help identify problem areas better.

Use the bleach on the outside, not in the dome. The best thing to do the dome with is mold killing paint. It won't touch it afterwards.

As for the builder...call Mike Holmes

Hagar (Doug) · #10 22-05-2011, 08:53 PM

Hi Allan, I've been thinking about something myself. All the metal in my observatory is wet in the mornings after a night of imaging. It's pretty damp here but mould doesn't seem to be a problem.

I am looking at some hardware like this to help, http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/250815177663?hlp=false

I might even be able to afford to power this. It should cost about $15 / quarter to power. I like the idea of a drain hose going outside. I just ordered one so will let you know how it goes.

allan gould · #11 22-05-2011, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hagar

Hi Allan, I've been thinking about something myself. All the metal in my observatory is wet in the mornings after a night of imaging. It's pretty damp here but mould doesn't seem to be a problem.

I am looking at some hardware like this to help, http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/250815177663?hlp=false

I might even be able to afford to power this. It should cost about $15 / quarter to power. I like the idea of a drain hose going outside. I just ordered one so will let you know how it goes.

Funny you should mention this Doug, as at the moment I'm running a dehumidifier over night tonight. My wife bought a small unit for a wardrobe but it worked so well she bought a really large unit. So I inherited the small unit and am running it now as I also wind up with a real excess of moisture after I shut the dome up which then condenses on all aluminum surfaces.
Already today in about an hour or so it has pulled out several hundred ml of water. Acnt do any harm. I'll let you know how it goes here in Brisbane.