Bugs that eat mould?

[Fbt123]

Recently a lot of white mould has appeared on the soil in my viv (its spreading through the viv) and im wondering if theres any insects that will eat it. The woodlice in there havnt touched it for some reason...

thanks fir helpibg

[Fbt123]

Going to buy some tropical springs tomorrow as they like to est and control mould. If i bought i standard culture (dunno if it comes with food, medium etc.) should i just dump all of them into my viv? Or shoukd i buy a culture kit? Help plz :P

heres link to the site im getting them off: Tropical Springtails & Culture Kits. | Ricks Livefood

[deranged chipmunk]

Normally, rampant mould on the substrate is an indicator that the enclosure is too warm. Springs may help, but they would just be a bandage. What is the temp of the enclosure?


Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world ~ Nelson Mandela

[Fbt123]

Im not sure Bill, but i know for a fact my room isnt warm at all. I believe the mould came from a piece cat food that i put in there which had some mould on it (for woodlice to eat), but i removed it as it started spreading. I hink thats where it came from

[Fbt123]

I think i need to add springs anyway as the pitcher plant in there is eating all of the adult woodlice! Atleast its doing its job...XD

[deranged chipmunk]

The room doesn't necessarily need to feel warm for the tank air to be too warm.

I forgot about the cat food debacle. I would replace the substrate.


Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world ~ Nelson Mandela

[Fbt123]

The room doesn't necessarily need to feel warm for the tank air to be too warm.

I forgot about the cat food debacle. I would replace the substrate.


Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world ~ Nelson Mandela

All of it...or just the top?

[deranged chipmunk]

All of it.


Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world ~ Nelson Mandela

[Fbt123]

You've got to be kidding me...i will remove it but why? :P

[Fbt123]

Can i use compost soil imstead of coco fibre? I really dont want to spend a tenner on something i can use for free

[deranged chipmunk]

You've got to be kidding me...i will remove it but why? :P

Because the bacteria is in the soil now. It may go away temporarily, but I can assure you, it will come back.

Compost is a big no no. Too many insect larvae and bacteria growing in compost.


Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world ~ Nelson Mandela

[Fbt123]

Ah ok, is the bacteria bad for the frogs then? Do i have to remove drainage layer as well, or just soil?

[jarteta97]

One thing, too: If you have plants in the soil, coco fiber won't work either. You need ABG mix, or the neherp version, or a home made version if you so desired. I believe just the soil would have to replaced too, as the screening between the two usually prevents infection. I'm not sure, though, so I'll let Bill chime in

[Fbt123]

Ok thanks Josh. I have a mix of coco fibre and orchid bark for drainage. This was reccomended to me by Marc from dartfrog.co.uk as its cheap and easy to make. I tried to make abg but i was on a tight budget so i couldnt but everything for it

[Fbt123]

Do you guys think i could leave it for a bit (changing substrate) as i probably wont be able to do it this week.

[deranged chipmunk]

Coco fiber, peat moss and orchid bark would work. The peat moss feeds the plants. You can leave the drainage layer, but do as complete a water change as possible.


Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world ~ Nelson Mandela

[Fbt123]

Cheers Bill, would the mould harm the frogs or is it just a bit if a nuisance? Like i said i cant do a change soon so i dont want it to harm them

[deranged chipmunk]

If it was from a natural source, I would say it's not a big issue, but, since it's possibly from the processed food source you tossed in, I can't be 100% sure. Sorry about that one. That's why I recommend replacing all of the substrate.


Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world ~ Nelson Mandela

[Fbt123]

Ok. They have been sitting on it and it hasnt effected them. Do u think i should leave it for another few days and if it gets worse change soil? The thing is i wetted the cut food so it may have been the wetness that allowed it to grow. Not too sure right now :/

[Fbt123]

Actually the mould on cat food looked long and white with little balls on the end but this moukd is sort of fuzzy, and its got to bits that arent even touching where the cat food was. Immthinking it coukd possibly be from the high humidity in the soil. I can see its high humidity as theres condensation on the glass where soil is.