I've had it with the coco fibre...

[SpiritScale]

I cannot for the life of me get the cocofibre substrate I use to quit moulding over in my sling cups and vials.
I've made my share of newbie mistakes, granted, but even 'doing it right'....there walks in the mould.

Of course, once each of my T's is big enough to have a water dish the substrate is basically bone dry and no mould issues there.
But of course, with 1/4-1 inch slings that's not an option.
I hard-pack my substrate and it's only damp when it goes in. It doesn't clump and certainly doesn't drip water if I wring it.
I remove leftover food within 24 hours and add a few droplets on the side of the container for drinking water once a week.
Ventilation is 12 holes (all about the diameter of the eraser end of your standard pencil for the larger 1 inch slings) spaced around the rim and lid. The vials have 5-6 pinpricks in the lid.
Room humidity is 40-50%.

I tried 'drying it out' a little more and now my poor little n. chromatus has 7 legs, so scratch that.
Everyone seems to be eating, moulting and doing fine in spite of the mould, but I'd still like to get a handle on it.
It looks like just a vague/sorta there white/grey fuzz. Certainly not bad, but still there.

I was thinking of switching to peat. Thoughts?

 

[Poec54]

All I use is bagged top soil, the cheap stuff without fertilizer added, from Home Depot. Unlike coco-fiber, it's something spiders actually live in, in the wild (spiders don't make burrows under falling coconuts).

 

[CitizenNumber9]

Is it around the sides of the container or just on top? Are you sure it isn't condensation you're seeing? I made the same mistake hehe....

 

[SpiritScale]

Poec54, does it mould easily? Maybe I can give that a shot.

CitizenNumber9, nope, it's strictly on the substrate.

 

[MarkmD]

I've still never had problems with cocofiber sub, now and again (still) do use bagged top soil from my LPS and both without problems, the mold could be from lack of ventilation or small food leftovers.

 

[fyic]

I don't use coco all that much and if I do I mix it with peat moss.........for the most part I only use peat moss as always worked well for me

CitizenNumber9 had a good point .......sure it's not just condensation

can you post some pic's

 

[AphonopelmaTX]

Poec54, does it mould easily? Maybe I can give that a shot.

I realize this question wasn't directed toward me, but as another user of the all-natural plain top soil from the hardware store, I can say from my experiences that no it doesn't. The stuff I use, HapiGro Topsoil from Lowes, contains less organic material than inorganic therefore will not mold easily. What little mold does occur happens due to dead prey items when the soil is consistently damp. Keep it dry and no mold at all. Contrast to the coco fiber junk which is 100 percent organic.

If you never used straight topsoil before, be forewarned that it is not like straight peat moss or cocofiber. It is HEAVY when compacted and when water is added, turns to mud due to its poor water absorption quality. It can be off-putting but the stuff does work the best for all types of tarantulas. Especially burrowers as it holds the shape of the burrow on it's own when completely dry or wet. When water is added and the stuff turns to mud, the soil will eventually soak it up. Always use several inches of it in any tarantula tank so if you overfill the water dish you don't have a messy puddle of mud on one side of the tank. To lighten up the topsoil and get better water absorption, drainage, and retention for the "swamp dwelling" species (Theraphosa ssp. and Ephebopus ssp. for example), I add a bit of the cheap bulk peat moss. Consult horticultural web sites and soil mixture tips for more ideas and for what the different soil types are actually composed of. This sounds like a lot, but it really is the most uncomplicated, cheapest, and useful substrate to use. As I have said before, you really don't need to step foot in a pet store for a tarantula collection. Also, look at where tarantulas live and what they live in for the best stuff to use in captivity. Nothing in a pet store is particularly useful or needed for tarantulas.

 

[gizmosdeath]

I use the top soil from home depot and mix it with the coco-fiber and it works great for me. When mixed it absorbs water a little better because of the coco and it actually drains pretty well also. It will hold it shape as well so no worries there. I mix in some exo-terra moss as well to give it some added stability and moisture retention. I haven't had a problem yet. I can't say that I have ever had the coco-fiber mold on me though. I have had food items do so but no the fiber itself.

 

[Oddballrunt]

I've always used coco fiber and never had this problem. Are you sure it's not spidery pooh your seeing?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Poec54]

Poec54, does it mould easily? Maybe I can give that a shot.

No mold issues, but I'm sure it varies depending on what part of the country you're in. Not like there's a patented formula. I use it for everything, including my Theraphosa, and I keep their soil fairly moist. Yes, it weighs more than cocofiber, but then, I don't like using fluffy stuff.

 

[SpiritScale]

My camera on my cellphone ain't the best, but here are some pics. I know it could look vaguely like silk in the pics, but up close it doesn't look the same at all compared to the mats/webs I've seen before. Absolutely sure it's not T poop.
Added sling pic bonus (G. pulchra)

 

[Tongue Flicker]

I think those are just water bogged spider silk from regular misting. Mushrooms have a higher chance of growing on coco fiber than molds from my experience.

 

[hairbug66]

Good day,
I am quite new to the T hobby but I do have some experience with different soils and substrates. I am an avid horticultrist and have been keeping Herps for decades. I have found a mix of approx. 75% basic topsoil to 25% coco fibre/ eco earth works quite well for my B. Smithi, as well as for my Terrapene Ornatas. It also is a great mix for most Succulents, however I do add some Pumice to the succulent mix. IMO you need good drainage for all three with some moisture retention. I do; however; sift the larger woody pieces from the topsoil over a 1/8 screen for all three applications. I love the texture and lightness the Eco Earth adds to the mix and it creates a nice blend with the topsoil, and it never turns to mud. Needless to say I am a fan of the cheap topsoils when mixed correctly with these other products, and I've never experienced any problems with excessive moisture. Give it a try as I think you'll like it

 

[Smokehound714]

Introduce a cleanup crew of isopods. They'll definitely keep things clean. They burrow, too, so they'll also get the mold you cant see.

 

[Wildenthusiast]

I used the coco-fiber when I first started, and remember having the same issues. Eventually i switched to a peat moss, as it was much more affordable, and I preferred the texture. Before that, however, I believe I just let the sub totally dry out. I did use Smokehound's method as well. In combination, I had good results.

 

[SpiritScale]

I *was* thinking of starting some cultures for 'clean-up crews' but am a little nervous as I have small slings and I've never done it before.

Locally, I've got three species of woodlice (A. vulgare, P. scaber and T. tomentosa) and two species of springtails (T. vulgaris and F. candida) available to use and culture---all 'captive-bred'.
Am I correct in thinking that both the smaller woodlice and smaller springtail species would be a good choice given I have slings? I just don't want anything to happen to my slings.

 

[Forcep]

Never have this problem with Ts, I don't have any T which need high humidity through.

But I've been keeping many kinds of roaches with coco fiber, at the beginning anything I put in (leaf litter, rotten wood, cat food) get moldy after one or two days. But later I've got some mites and springtails developed in the substrate, it's hard to find any trace of mold now.

I'd suggest make the substrate bone dry unless it's a T requires lots of moisture; then get some springtails if you really wanna keep the substrate wet. I've heard some bad experiences with woodlice but springtails are safe.

 

[viper69]

Good day,
I am quite new to the T hobby but I do have some experience with different soils and substrates. I am an avid horticultrist and have been keeping Herps for decades. I have found a mix of approx. 75% basic topsoil to 25% coco fibre/ eco earth works quite well for my B. Smithi, as well as for my Terrapene Ornatas. It also is a great mix for most Succulents, however I do add some Pumice to the succulent mix. IMO you need good drainage for all three with some moisture retention. I do; however; sift the larger woody pieces from the topsoil over a 1/8 screen for all three applications. I love the texture and lightness the Eco Earth adds to the mix and it creates a nice blend with the topsoil, and it never turns to mud. Needless to say I am a fan of the cheap topsoils when mixed correctly with these other products, and I've never experienced any problems with excessive moisture. Give it a try as I think you'll like it

Thanks for putting the proportions in! Are there sub mixes or products you have found to be terrible-poor with regards to Tarantulas?

 

[pyro fiend]

well if it makes you feel better i KNOW your not crazy. keeping Python Regius i keep my sub usually moist in a big container... and after i noticed it the first time i did some test.. as stated before its partly because of ventilation. my experiment consisted of 7 "beta cups" 100$ eco fresh from the brick.. never seen a bug or herp once in my home....each diferently ventalated all kept about moist enough to sort of klump but not drip. the ones i noticed molding had low ventilation. and always kept moist never dried one bit...

sense im getting T's soon iv kept containers with a coco and cocopeat mixture to see how i like it. and even the ones with 100% coco kept moist not allowed to dry out, have not molded yet.. but they all have high ventilation [new keeper too scared ill sufficate one lol] however i have cured this problem with my pythons.. injecting the soil is one way. and increasing my ventilation. i know its hard with vials [which is why i refuse to buy one sofar lol] but maybe some side vents can cure this problem? or few more little holes...

your not crazy i know its not silk no worries... its just the organics being too moist... i dont think it can kill a T i was told was harmless and i had a few snakes have up pop up a zillion times in my first year.. they are alive still ;P isos would help too tho...

ps.. dont try this experiment i did with a deli container with NO vents... EEEEW the cup STILL stinks like rotten eggs to this day lmao -.- has to be used as my cup to hold my spot-cleans as i make my rounds now as i refuse to use it for anything elese lmao

 

[hairbug66]

I simply do not have enough experience with tarantulas to provide an educated response. I had some wild caught Aphonopelmas years ago and just tried to mimc the natural environment in which I found them. I adopted my 5.5" B. Smithi in September of 2013 and have since been attempting to absorb as much info on husbandry as I can. I have had good luck with this mix with my hatchling box turtles for several years now, and it does dry out semi-quickly so I wet it a couple times a week to keep the humidity up for my babies. They love to dig in their substrate in search of live food items. I used this mix because it was familiar to me and seemed to meet the criteria I've seen on the net. So far it has worked nicely.
This is a reply to Viper69. Sorry but I am quite new to forum use.