How to prevent Mold growth on Cork Bark?

[ChalcodesEnjoyer]

So I got my Aponophelma Chalcodes today, but before I was able to house her, I checked on the enclosure I had made for her, her hide was molding on the inside, I replaced the corkbark. But I’m afraid it’ll mold as well. I’m keeping her in a Exo Terra Nano Wide, and I replaced the lid with one I bought. I’m wondering if it’s what’s helping the mold grow in the first place. As the enclosure comes with a mesh lid. Which would be best to keep air flowing and not becoming stagnant enough for mold to grow on the cork bark? View attachment 480583
Mesh lid above^

third party lid I purchased^

 

[BoyFromLA]

All you need to know about mold

Well, I made a similar post about mites and it seemed quite popular, and since questions about mold pop up again and again I thought maybe I can shed some light on this topic, too. The thing is: with mites it was easy. They are harmless, period. With mold it’s not that easy, because there are...

arachnoboards.com

 

[viper69]

Was the cork bark sourced from a pet store? Or sourced locally? I've never in my life had cork bark from a store mold- of course that's just me. If sourced from outside somewhere then I'm not as surprised.

Also, that Exo is wrong and can lead to death by falling.

The only way you can safely use that Nano is by tipping it on its side w/the door opening upwards to the ceiling. Otherwise your T has a great chance of being DEAD.

 

[ChalcodesEnjoyer]

I got it from the store but sterilized it in several ways before using it. Including boiling and freezing.

 

[Tentacle Toast]

Are you sure it's mold?

 

[Brewser]

Boiling has inreased the moisture content.
Set it aside to Dry.

 

[viper69]

I got it from the store but sterilized it in several ways before using it. Including boiling and freezing.

I'd be worried about your tank setup not the mold.

Also there is no way anyone can sterilize it. People use that word and they are wrong all the time because they don't own an autoclave.

Fungal spores can live through most anything hah

 

[ChalcodesEnjoyer]

Before buying the enclosure I read up on Terrestrial T’s, from what I’ve found it looks like it can be completely safe if you have the substrate slope up from the front of the doors to the back, so that the substrate is higher in the back. That’s what I did, though in all honestly I don’t know how many inches higher it may need to be.

 

[ChalcodesEnjoyer]

Before buying the enclosure I read up on Terrestrial T’s, from what I’ve found it looks like it can be completely safe if you have the substrate slope up from the front of the doors to the back, so that the substrate is higher in the back. That’s what I did, though in all honestly I don’t know how many inches higher it may need to be.

Would 4 inches be high enough so that she wouldn’t hurt herself? That’d be half the enclosures height. I read that 1/2-2/3 of the enclosure should be substrate. I can definitely ramp it up in the back to do so.

 

[Ultum4Spiderz]

Would 4 inches be high enough so that she wouldn’t hurt herself? That’d be half the enclosures height. I read that 1/2-2/3 of the enclosure should be substrate. I can definitely ramp it up in the back to do so.

No more fall space then 1.5,x legspan I’d say . Less if there Bulkier.

 

[ChalcodesEnjoyer]

No more fall space then 1.5,x legspan I’d say . Less if there Bulkier.

alright, I’ll add another inch of substrate when I can, thank you. Is it normal for my T to not accept food for a bit after I get her out of her shipping container? To my understanding it is I just really don’t wanna mess this up somehow.

 

[Ultum4Spiderz]

alright, I’ll add another inch of substrate when I can, thank you. Is it normal for my T to not accept food for a bit after I get her out of her shipping container? To my understanding it is I just really don’t wanna mess this up somehow.

It depends on the T, some will others take-a Week or two to settle in.

 

[ChalcodesEnjoyer]

It depends on the T, some will others take-a Week or two to settle in.

Ok, I know we’re kinda going off topic now but should I try to feed her daily? Or wait a couple of days for her to settle in, she hasn’t eaten in 8 days according to the seller.

 

[Smotzer]

I got it from the store but sterilized it in several ways before using it. Including boiling and freezing.

This is why it is molding, you are making the problem worse because you are literally not sterilizing it at all. You are just destroying a competing biome that exists and replacing it with a new culture from the air in your home that has less competition. Then you get mold outbreak. Sterilization in the home via boiling or freezing is not actually happening.

 

[ChalcodesEnjoyer]

This is why it is molding, you are making the problem worse because you are literally not sterilizing it at all. You are just destroying a competing biome that exists and replacing it with a new culture from the air in your home that has less competition. Then you get mold outbreak. Sterilization in the home via boiling or freezing is not actually happening.

I appreciate the feedback

 

[Smotzer]

I appreciate the feedback

Not a problem! Happy to help! The only concern for wood/bark/leaves in enclosures is if it was taken from a residential area that may have used pesticides(you just can’t use it). Beyond that trying to prevent germs or what have you, really is something that is totally unimportant, I’ve been using found pieces from the forests and cork from stores as is for years and really never had mold issues or anything beyond that either!

 

[ChalcodesEnjoyer]

Not a problem! Happy to help! The only concern for wood/bark/leaves in enclosures is if it was taken from a residential area that may have used pesticides(you just can’t use it). Beyond that trying to prevent germs or what have you, really is something that is totally unimportant, I’ve been using found pieces from the forests and cork from stores as is for years and really never had mold issues or anything beyond that either!

At this point I’m just more worried about why my T won’t eat, to my knowledge she’s probably still settling it I just don’t want her to starve.

 

[RogerS1984]

At this point I’m just more worried about why my T won’t eat, to my knowledge she’s probably still settling it I just don’t want her to starve.

T's can go a long time without eating, nothing to be worried about. Just offer it and leave it in for max 24 hours and if it's not eaten then remove it and try again in a few days. There can be multiple reasons for them not eating and it's mostly nothing to worry about. Just let her settle in and make sure you don't leave live food in there longer than stated. This ofcourse is my opinion, I am sure you can find much more info on this subject in the Forum or internet.

Good luck with your new T!

 

[Kada]

Also there is no way anyone can sterilize it. People use that word and they are wrong all the time because they don't own an autoclave.

Even if they did, he secindthey take it out it wont be sterile. only work on the habitat can prevent it, not sterilization.

To op. boiling and baking will open up and crack a bunch of cell structures, which will provide new feeding sites for fungus. it's common to mold a bit directly after if moist/low air flow

 

[The Snark]

Just give everything in the terrarium a quick trip through your autoclave every couple of weeks. That should keep the mold in check.