Mold has started growing at the base of the tree. I did try to put isopods and springtails in but I got them way too early and I think I may have fucked up keeping them in the container I did until they were supposed to go into the tank and killed them off.
As such, I've ordered more (a lot more) in the hopes they get right to work on this nasty stuff. And I've lowered the water levels in case the water was reaching the substrate. Any more suggestions?
No reptiles or amphibians yet, still waiting for it to grow in for another month or so. However there are guppies, shrimp, and snails in the water section. In case you have suggestions for cleaning supplies.
Please help. This is my first paludarium and I'm scared I fucked it up.
by chapinscott32
8 Comments
Can’t edit so:
My shipment of springtails and isopods will be here in 2-3 days. Hopefully that isn’t too long. Ugh.
Every vivarium goes through a moldy phase that ends as abruptly as it begins. Everything will be okay.
take a deep breath (not inside the terrarium) and wait. If the PLANTS are moldy, gently remove the mold from the plants with a Qtip, but don’t fret over the wood
Grape wood LOVES to mold. You can avoid grape wood in the future if you don’t like seeing the mold but it’s perfectly natural during grow in. Eventually the mold will run out of food, and the springtails will control the mold spores until then
Love the significance you gave your water feature, especially the tiered waterfall.
I was same terrified as you that I messed up, but that’s normal. For me it lasted for around a month until the wood stabilized and gets used to the humidity
I had a similar experience. I went away for 2 days and came home to find the entire paludarium covered in what I thought was mold. It was a type of fungus that’s a healthy part of the ecosystem. You can simply use a dry rag and wipe it off or otherwise try to get it out. That’s what yours looks like to me. It’s Fluffy and doesn’t appear to have any spores.
The springtails will clean that right up. I see you said they’re going to come in a couple of days, so the mold might get a little worse, but the springtails will get right to it. All humid vicariously go through it at some point, don’t worry too much about it.
That tank is SWEEEET!!! Your mold should go away with isos and springtails!