Do springtails eat mold in substrate?

[SkittlesTheJumpingSpider]

Hello, everyone. Recently my isopod's substrate molded. It has been recommended to me that I add springtails to their enclosure, but I was just wondering - Do springtails only eat mold that's on top of the substrate - e.g mold on leaves, wood, ect, or do they also eat the mold in the substrate of the isopod's enclosure?

Thanks,
-SkittlesTheJumpingSpider

 

[Venom671]

Depends on how many you add to the enclosure for starters. An established springtail colony will eat the mold, but also prevent mold from actually starting its cycle in the enclosure. Good ventilation in isopod tanks also go a long way, even for the moisture loving ones. They still need a good moisture gradient of wet to dry sides.

 

[SkittlesTheJumpingSpider]

Depends on how many you add to the enclosure for starters. An established springtail colony will eat the mold, but also prevent mold from actually starting its cycle in the enclosure. Good ventilation in isopod tanks also go a long way, even for the moisture loving ones. They still need a good moisture gradient of wet to dry sides.

A little while ago, I did try adding a few more ventilation holes to their enclosure, but there's still mold.

Anyways, I appreciate the reply, thank you!

 

[Venom671]

Is it the white filter floss looking mold?

 

[SkittlesTheJumpingSpider]

Is it the white filter floss looking mold?

It's a dark brown-ish black color, I can put a picture if you'd like

 

[Venom671]

It's dark brown-ish black, I can put a picture if you'd like

Sure

 

[Venom671]

If it was this type then mostly this is due to newly added biodegradables or too much food and they didnt finish it.

 

[SkittlesTheJumpingSpider]

Sure

 

[Venom671]

View attachment 404228

The picture is very hard to make out what type of mold that is

 

[Venom671]

Just curious is that coco fiber?

 

[SkittlesTheJumpingSpider]

Just curious is that coco fiber?

Yes

 

[SkittlesTheJumpingSpider]

The picture is very hard to make out what type of mold that is

Here's another picture of the mold on a leaf

 

[Venom671]

Just a suggestion based on my own experience. A premade abg mix, one made by oneself, or topsoil/peat has made maintaining isopods alot less headache. Holds better moisture so you dont need to constantly add water to them in turn means less disturbance. Less disturbances leads to better procreation IME.

 

[Venom671]

Here's another picture of the mold on a leaf

View attachment 404229

Yeah tbh I'd probably change out their whole enclosure.

 

[SkittlesTheJumpingSpider]

Just a suggestion based on my own experience. A premade abg mix, one made by oneself, or topsoil/peat has made maintaining isopods alot less headache. Holds better moisture so you dont need to constantly add water to them in turn means less disturbance. Less disturbances leads to better procreation IME.

Thanks

 

[Venom671]

No problem good luck!

 

[SkittlesTheJumpingSpider]

Yeah tbh I'd probably change out their whole enclosure.

I'm not sure how to do this, because the babies burrow in the substrate.
Thanks, though!

 

[Venom671]

Very true, it will be a pain for sure. In the long run it pays off. What species?

 

[SkittlesTheJumpingSpider]

Very true, it will be a pain for sure. In the long run it pays off. What species?

P. scaber

 

[Venom671]

Ah those are a very hardy species. Why not try to make a new enclosure and transfer them slowly over? When i had to transfer my porcellio laevis dairy cows years back. I transfered the bulk over, but then divided the soil in the old enclosure into smaller ones and slowly and tediously shifted through them and got the babies out of them. I know its a huge pain in the rear