I'm fine tuning the building plans for our addition on the old house we bought in mid TN. We were planning an enclosed porch/pond room. I have a large pond now outside, off our patio and it is something that I'd love to enjoy year round. The sound of the waterfall all day and night is really relaxing. I miss it in the winter or when it's cool outside and I have to shut the doorwall and windows.

The porch is going to be about 30x18 with the 30 ft side facing west. The only thing that needs to go into the porch (besides the small 10x20 pond and waterfall) is a wood burner and some sort or sitting area.

My question is: are we going to have any problem with that much water (basicly) inside the house? All of the walls in the house will be finished off with wood planks (as in, NO drywall). 95% of the time we will be heating the entire house with wood heat. The extra moisture in the winter will be a plus, what about the summer? Any thoughts on this?

I'm also thinking of adding fresh water shrimp farming to the list of projects I'm thinking of.....but that can be another post....

-- Peggy Adkins (adkinsonthefarm@hotmail.com), June 20, 2000

Answers

My wife LOVES water and is waiting on me to reside the front of the house so she can put her pond in... and build an outside fountain... and finish putting together the inside fountain...

I would think that with that much water, you may need a dehumidifier during the summer. But during the winter, with the wood stove, you should be good to go.

-- Eric in TN (ems@nac.net), June 20, 2000.

Peggy, a lot of people have indoor swimming pools -- friends of ours who had one did have problems with humidity. When their house burned they rebuilt with the pool outdoors. But there must be information available on how to cope with the excess moisture -- though Eric is probably right that it will be an asset in the winter.

-- Kathleen Sanderson (stonycft@worldpath.net), June 20, 2000.

hi,my husband is a contractor and has done a few indoor water ponds. i talked to him and sone ideas you may want to consider are: good air circulation, temp. control and evaperation{sp} . on one job they used sky lights that would open at a certain temp. like the ones for cold frames and a fan.in the winter it is ok but in the summer mold is a big problem,is there anyone you could have it so large windows could be removed in the spring so the air could get in or maybe sliding doors? the one job he did was a japenees garden in the center of a house, the roof needed to be opened so a special sliding window could go in , it was realy neat. watch your light too or you will get alot of algea. good luck . if you want i could send you copies of the plans and a material list i am sure with a little thought you could improvise and cut down the cost .

-- renee oneill (oneillsr@home.com), June 21, 2000.