Help with Viv -- Mold

[RecycledAgain]

I couldn't give any better info than Grimm has already passed on to you, in fact I would give out rep but that would put Grimm ahead of me...

In all seriousness,,
I would have to guess that your wood is the culprit in this case, but I really think you should answer Grimm's very first suggestion. The answers you provide will definitely give us a better insight as to whats going on. Your conditions/construction gives us a place to start and refine what may be a problem or even alleviate your concerns on what you may think is a problem. I suggest this because I already see more than few misconceptions that are easily remedied in your posts Karma.

My suggestion is start at the beginning again, lets see if we cant get you back on line.

Dan

[KarmaFairy]

Grimm's first suggestion? As to the design of the viv? I pretty much gave all that information in my first response...10 gal glass viv with mesh top, styrofoam peanuts covered with landscape fabric, fir bark, cocofiber, sphagnum, a few plants, cocohut, and water dish with stone. Top it all off with a full spectrum 13w bulb. I still need to add some leaf litter, a few pieces of hiding wood, and now I realize that springtails and woodlice would drastically improve the health of the viv. I think I'm just about ready to go, but I want my plants to get a bit more settled before adding frogs.

The packing peanuts suggestion is from Poison Dart Frogs by Amanda and Greg Sihler pg. 24-25. Upon searching the book again, I realize that nothing was ever stated regarding mold in the viv -- only that one should throw away moldy ff cultures. Am I to understand that a few spots of mold on a piece of wood is nothing to be concerned about? I assumed that mold, being a fungus, would be unhealthy for frogs.

I'm sorry if I seem dense, I think I might just be a bit anxious after losing a frog.

[Judy S]

I apologize..the substrate material I used to make the tank lighter is from Black Jungle and is called Feather Lite...

[beckdg]

grimm's got you on the right track. i just want to point one thing out (sorry if i'm skimming today). re-doing the tank is just going to put you back to square one with mold. it can be part of the cycle at the beginning of a setup and setting up with all new materials introduces whatever comes with it as well as new food for mold.

carry on...

[KarmaFairy]

Thank you guys for the help. I guess my reaction to mold was unfounded. I'm going to let the plants settle in while I track down the last pieces of the puzzle and then I think it will make a happy home for two frogs. Thank you :-)

[beckdg]

just to throw it out there... there are very simple things that can be done to combat mold in a viv. for example... cover it with moss, ground cover, liverworts... add some microfauna... springtails, pill bugs, etc. ... or add circulation (not ventilation).

drastic measures are usually not necessary even if it is unsightly.

[JoeG]

Ditto on the micro fauna... even just springtails can do wonders but I would also suggest some "red wiggler" worms. They do well in a coir based substrate and help with soil aeration to promote aerobic activity....the poo is good fertilizer too. lol

Honestly.. Fungus is fun sometime I actually let a bit of gecko food mold over in the tank to give my springtail population a boost. After one of my vivs hit the first year I had a wonderful bloom of mushrooms!

[Judy S]

eeeuuuuu....