Concur with the voice of experience. It is easy to forget the rigor of
tropical climates. From a microbiology viewpoint, I did mention
temperature in a general way. Useful information to know in protecting
your valuable lenses: most micro-organisms have an optimum range of
culture temperatures. Long time since I read the typical upper limit
for mold, but suffice to say it is less than 100° F. Mold blossoms in
a cool refrigerator, but not in the heat. (Published temp limits can
easily be found with Google, e.g. "mold culture".) The temp regulated
heat box is not designed to 'cook' your zuiko or zucchini or even to
reduce the humidity. Rather, it serves to maintain the temp above that
which mold will grow, humidity or no humidity.
Finally, the issue of contact area is important with respect to the use
of silica gel. They do work and work well. Have seen this packaged in
a yogurt sized container which is VERY poor geometry to be effective.
My suggestion of pouring a small amount in a hose or sock increases the
surface area for increased effectiveness. Both desiccants and heat
work - if employed with an understanding of the problem. Take your
choice.
Best,
Bill
On Wednesday, August 13, 2003, at 09:24 PM, C.H.Ling-Accura wrote:
For us here in Hong Kong with high humidity the plastic dry box with
silica
gel never work, unless you put the lenses inside and never open it. I
have
lots of trouble with the above setup for years until I got an
electronic dry
box, already over twelve years without one lens got fungus. Only spent
US$200 and it save guard my thirty plus Zuikos, no worry about changing
silica gel too.
C.H.Ling
-----Original Message-----
VERY simple. Does food get moldy if left in the daylight on the
kitchen counter? Room temp down to freezing and HUMIDITY. Humidity
and humidity and humidity and...... Without moisture, spores can not
propagate. Spores are EVERYWHERE.
Dry container, even a cheap plastic 'bucket' or food tray with a snap
top lid PLUS drying agent, i.e. silica gel which is CHEAP in bulk is
the effective and complete answer. I purchase bulk silica gel and
place
in a cotton sock with a knot in the end. Easily regenerated. (NO!!!!
I did not use the apropos for me and everyone else, but hate mail
generating K-I-S-S.) Zip lock bags are great and I use them but not
really protection against humidity. Share what I have learned the
HARD
way: need not be expensive, just effective and simple.
Bill
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