Possible Mould?

[Shrao]

Hello would like to preface by saying I am a new to the Tarantula hobby so any advice is greatly appreciated! About 2 weeks ago a close friend of mine had to move and he couldn't take his Aphonopelma Seemanni Stripe Knee with him and he asked if I would like to take care of him(her? Idk yet) and after he gifted it to me I tried to do as much research on the species and how it should be kept. He gave the T to me in a tank way to big for the size it is and so I went to my exotic pet store and purchased a non mesh vented critter keeper type enclosure and some bricks of Coconut fiber and Husks. After letting the bricks settle and mixing in the husks I packed it down then let it dry out so it has some solid soil to burrow around in, I rehoused the T into the new enclosure and it's been a few days now and I'm beginning to notice what looks like a white fuzz grow along the cork bark and I would like to know if this is a cause for concern or if it's something that can be easily fixed like relocating the T so I can clean/remove it. I'm not sure if moving the T around so much is bad for the thing or not and I just want what's best for the little guy. Like I said any help and criticism is appreciated because I am brand new to all of this.

 

[YungRasputin]

it does look like mold to me - i would place the specimen in a holding enclosure, take out all the substrate, sterilize the enclosure with hot water, thoroughly dry the enclosure, add fresh substrate, redo the enclosure (sterilized hides, fake plants, etc) and then put the specimen back

also, i don’t understand the purpose of the husks - all you would need is straight coco fiber or you can make mix of cocofiber, top soil, etc

 

[Shrao]

it does look like mold to me - i would place the specimen in a holding enclosure, take out all the substrate, sterilize the enclosure with hot water, thoroughly dry the enclosure, add fresh substrate, redo the enclosure (sterilized hides, fake plants, etc) and then put the specimen back

I appreciate the reply and will definitely look to do this as soon as possible. I didnt add a lot of coconut husk to the fiber, just mixed a little into it and sprinkled some of the smaller softer bits on top. I know you said add fresh substrate but would I be able to take some of the substrate from the side of the tank that isn't molding, dry it out and use it? If that's out of the realm of possibilities then that's okay just curious

 

[Wolfram1]

Not everything needs to be sterilized!
Someone recently said to sterilize stones, blew my mind but to each their own.

the problem with coco fibre is that it tends to be prone to mold outbreaks

i use a mixture of non sterilized forest soil and topsoil which workes great but there are a lot of ways to do the substrate and it is prudent to inform yourself about possible concequences.


strait topsoil seems to be the new coco fibre on ABs


try picking the moldy part out with tongs, cleaning that spot up and you might be fine leaving the rest, pictures of the entire enclosure/ enclosures could help us get a better picture of the whole situation.

edit: not sure why you would add the husks?

 

[Stardust1986]

Hello would like to preface by saying I am a new to the Tarantula hobby so any advice is greatly appreciated! About 2 weeks ago a close friend of mine had to move and he couldn't take his Aphonopelma Seemanni Stripe Knee with him and he asked if I would like to take care of him(her? Idk yet) and after he gifted it to me I tried to do as much research on the species and how it should be kept. He gave the T to me in a tank way to big for the size it is and so I went to my exotic pet store and purchased a non mesh vented critter keeper type enclosure and some bricks of Coconut fiber and Husks. After letting the bricks settle and mixing in the husks I packed it down then let it dry out so it has some solid soil to burrow around in, I rehoused the T into the new enclosure and it's been a few days now and I'm beginning to notice what looks like a white fuzz grow along the cork bark and I would like to know if this is a cause for concern or if it's something that can be easily fixed like relocating the T so I can clean/remove it. I'm not sure if moving the T around so much is bad for the thing or not and I just want what's best for the little guy. Like I said any help and criticism is appreciated because I am brand new to all of this.

Yeah, it does look like mold, I'd clean everything and replace the soil. Spring tails help with mold, but this species likes it dry. Dont mist the enclosure, a water dish will provide enough humidity. I have this species, they like deep substrate and will built some awesome tunnels, they also go on long hunger strikes, sometimes for a few months. Here's a pic of mine

 

[Smotzer]

does look like mold to me - i would place the specimen in a holding enclosure, take out all the substrate, sterilize the enclosure with hot water, thoroughly dry the enclosure, add fresh substrate, redo the enclosure (sterilized hides, fake plants, etc) and then put the specimen back

@Shrao I would not do this. By the way mold is harmless. You will not be sterilizing anything in your home and you will get even worse mold. When you try to sterilize anything In your home not in sterile precautions all you are doing is destroying any natural competition between bacterium’s, molds and fungi and then reculturing a new set with much less competition. Nothing has been sterilized.

just pick out the mold. Coco fiber is prone to mold and culture because it is naturally more sterile so it cultures easily. You can alternatively use peat or top soil with is usually much more varied in cultures present.

 

[Dorifto]

You should sterilize your T too, giving her some fast baths in boiling water...

NO, the spores are going to be all around your house, not only in your enclosure, sterilizing it it would be useless.

You have two options, take the mold and let dry the substrate.

Change the substrate to topsoil, wich usually has a better biomass than coco fiber, also you can add springtails and dwarf isopods to the topsoil, so you can decrease mold issues even further.

 

[YungRasputin]

@Shrao I would not do this. By the way mold is harmless. You will not be sterilizing anything in your home and you will get even worse mold. When you try to sterilize anything In your home not in sterile precautions all you are doing is destroying any natural competition between bacterium’s, molds and fungi and then reculturing a new set with much less competition. Nothing has been sterilized.

just pick out the mold. Coco fiber is prone to mold and culture because it is naturally more sterile so it cultures easily. You can alternatively use peat or top soil with is usually much more varied in cultures present.

so the claim here is that it is impossible to sterilize something in your home and prevent mold growth? source? why aren’t all homes covered in mold then?

You should sterilize your T too, giving her some fast baths in boiling water...

NO, the spores are going to be all around your house, not only in your enclosure, sterilizing it it would be useless.

You have two options, take the mold and let dry the substrate.

Change the substrate to topsoil, wich usually has a better biomass than coco fiber, also you can add springtails and dwarf isopods to the topsoil, so you can decrease mold issues even further.

this makes zero sense - extreme temperatures are a means to kill mold spores without the use of harsh chemicals in the enclosure - how would the removal of the affected area eliminate the potential for further mold growth? what you seem to be suggesting seems like you’re just creating an ongoing headache

 

[Stardust1986]

so the claim here is that it is impossible to sterilize something in your home and prevent mold growth? source? why aren’t all homes covered in mold then?



this makes zero sense - extreme temperatures are a means to kill mold spores without the use of harsh chemicals in the enclosure - how would the removal of the affected area eliminate the potential for further mold growth? what you seem to be suggesting seems like you’re just creating an ongoing headache

From my understanding, spores are in the air, and can only take hold in a moist climate, and mold grows under the humid conditions we keep Ts in, houses are generally not humid, and we dont have the surfaces mold can grow on. Even soap is bad for Ts, I would just remove the moldy parts, replace bad soil, and it should be all good

 

[YungRasputin]

From my understanding, spores are in the air, and can only take hold in a moist climate, and mold grows under the humid conditions we keep Ts in, houses are generally not humid, and we dont have the surfaces mold can grow on. Even soap is bad for Ts, I would just remove the moldy parts, replace bad soil, and it should be all good

how? the difference between the 2 method is:

-Method A: remove the substrate completely, use “tried and true” methods of sterilizing tanks (freezing, boiling water, distilled vinegar treatments if you want to go nuclear, etc), then thoroughly wash the enclosure, dry the enclosure and replace with fresh substrate

-Method B: remove only the effected area and do absolutely nothing else

following the presented logic I don’t see how one can conclude that Method B would not lead to further more mold growth comparative to Method A

 

[Smotzer]

so the claim here is that it is impossible to sterilize something in your home and prevent mold growth? source? why aren’t all homes covered in mold then?

Yes by you heating up things, you are not sterilizing anything you are only temporarily killing the biomass present and in competition and the second it hits open air in your home after the heat, say boiling, baking, or microwaving, and it hits open air in your home it is instantly recultured with mold, fungi and bacteria. The air you breathe is full of life forms such as these you just don’t see them.

They are covered in mold and fungi and bacteria they just don’t have a suitable surface /substrate to take over without the suitable environment, moisture and time. Notice how fruit and veggies can mold in a refrigerator with moisture or fruit left out? Same thing it’s everywhere.

this makes zero sense - extreme temperatures are a means to kill mold spores without the use of harsh chemicals in the enclosure - how would the removal of the affected area eliminate the potential for further mold growth? what you seem to be suggesting seems like you’re just creating an ongoing headache

But your not killing everything, your just temporarily killing some and then creating a more suitable surface for new ones to grow on. No the on going headache is seeing mold and then thinking you can “sterilize” in your home to correct the issue. To sterilize properly you need an autoclave, sterile room precautions, laminar hood, ‘alcohol’ etc. it’s best to just pick it out, mold is not dangerous and it is just a sign your substrate is cycling nutrients.

I see people get bad mold outbreaks after they “sterilize”. Because of all of the above. I never sterilize absolutely anything even stuff from outside I use, I’ve had a mold I believe one time, had some mushrooms pop maybe twice. All not an issue, I just pick it out and let it rock and roll, let it dry out a bit and carry on. No harm!

 

[Dorifto]

so the claim here is that it is impossible to sterilize something in your home and prevent mold growth? source? why aren’t all homes covered in mold then?



this makes zero sense - extreme temperatures are a means to kill mold spores without the use of harsh chemicals in the enclosure - how would the removal of the affected area eliminate the potential for further mold growth? what you seem to be suggesting seems like you’re just creating an ongoing headache

Take your home and moist it completely for a long period. Then come back...

If the mold isn't growing in your home is because your house's conditions are not ideal for them to grow.

 

[YungRasputin]

Yes by you heating up things, you are not sterilizing anything you are only temporarily killing the biomass present and in competition and the second it hits open air in your home after the heat, say boiling, baking, or microwaving, and it hits open air in your home it is instantly recultured with mold, fungi and bacteria. The air you breathe is full of life forms such as these you just don’t see them.

They are covered in mold and fungi and bacteria they just don’t have a suitable surface /substrate to take over without the suitable environment, moisture and time. Notice how fruit and veggies can mold in a refrigerator with moisture or fruit left out? Same thing it’s everywhere.

But your not killing everything, your just temporarily killing some and then creating a more suitable surface for new ones to grow on. No the on going headache is seeing mold and then thinking you can “sterilize” in your home to correct the issue. To sterilize properly you need an autoclave, sterile room precautions, laminar hood, ‘alcohol’ etc. it’s best to just pick it out, mold is not dangerous and it is just a sign your substrate is cycling nutrients.

I see people get bad mold outbreaks after they “sterilize”. Because of all of the above. I never sterilize absolutely anything even stuff from outside I use, I’ve had a mold I believe one time, had some mushrooms pop maybe twice. All not an issue, I just pick it out and let it rock and roll, let it dry out a bit and carry on. No harm!

1) I’ve never had any mold issues in the entire time I’ve been keeping arachnids

2) what I’ve suggested are methods aquarists use to clean tanks and make them suitable (clean) living environments for fish

3) it seems entirely illogical that mold growth would accelerate by using methods which specifically kill mold spores comparative to doing absolutely nothing and maintaining the exact same conditions which led to mold growth in the first place

4) mold needs moisture in which to grow - if does not get this, it can not grow - i mentioned several times that the enclosure should be dried out thoroughly in addition to all of the other treatments

 

[Dorifto]

Can you see the spores? There are thousands of them around you right now.

View attachment VID_20200524_053107.mp4


Aquaristic is another story, since some of the fungus can attack and kill their fish, plants... etc. The mold of ours enclosures is harmless, it's annoying, but harmless. There are some zombie fungus species like cordyceps, but the chances of having one of those fungus in your enclosure are near to zero.

 

[Wolfram1]

Have you ever tried to create your own sour-dough?

spores and bacteria are in the air, eveywere! They take root were conditons are favorable and competition doesnt lock them out.

the less competition the easier to take over wholesale.

case closed!

 

[Smotzer]

1) I’ve never had any mold issues in the entire time I’ve been keeping arachnids

2) what I’ve suggested are methods aquarists use to clean tanks and make them suitable (clean) living environments for fish

3) it seems entirely illogical that mold growth would accelerate by using methods which specifically kill mold spores comparative to doing absolutely nothing and maintaining the exact same conditions which led to mold growth in the first place

4) mold needs moisture in which to grow - if does not get this, it can not grow - i mentioned several times that the enclosure should be dried out thoroughly in addition to all of the other treatments

Okay friend you are welcome not to accept what I have written I have worked with culturing molds, fungi, and bacteria in a lab setting for tree and plant pathology, and there is plenty of science to back up what I am saying. take it or leave it I am just offering my direct experience and working knowledge of the science behind culturing biological entities. but also an Aphonopelma seemanni are not kept strictly bone dry and are kept with some moisture so if you proceed to further destroy biomass competition on all the surfaces you put in the enclosure it is very likely you will have another outbreak. Maybe you wont, but the chances due in fact go up.

Simply, soundly and logically based on science it is best to just pick out the mold, let it dry out a bit and let it cycle, because it is harmless and there is no need to panic. but hey thats just me, you can go through the process of thinking you are "sterilizing" if it makes you comfortable, but just know the reality of what you are doing in a home setting!

 

[YungRasputin]

Have you ever tried to create your own sour-dough?

spores and bacteria are in the air, eveywere! They take root were conditons are favorable and competition doesnt lock them out.

the less competition the easier to take over wholesale.

case closed!

how is the case closed when people are presenting wholly illogical argumentation which is, at this point, entirely unsubstantiated?

it is a biological fact that mold will die when exposed to heat which is at or above 140F - boiling water averages 212F in temp, greatly exceeding the minimum threshold to kill mold - logic would dictate then, that by using boiling water, for example, that you will kill virtually all mold and spores present by creating such harsh conditions that it can not continue to live in

 

[Smotzer]

how is the case closed when people are presenting wholly illogical argumentation which is, at this point, entirely unsubstantiated?

it is a biological fact that mold will die when exposed to heat which is at or above 140F - boiling water averages 212F in temp, greatly exceeding the minimum threshold to kill mold - logic would dictate then, that by using boiling water, for example, that you will kill virtually all mold and spores present by creating such harsh conditions that it can not continue to live in

Friend you are missing the point, noone said heat doesnt kill them. we are saying in a home it does not "sterilize" anything.

 

[YungRasputin]

Okay friend you are welcome not to accept what I have written I have worked with culturing molds, fungi, and bacteria in a lab setting for tree and plant pathology, and there is plenty of science to back up what I am saying.

then post it - the above is fallacious argumentation (argumentum ab auctoritate) and what’s been presented thus far is purely conjecture - it does not make any sense to suggest that by putting mold in conditions which objectively kill mold that that the mold will in turn, not die, and spread

 

[Wolfram1]

how is the case closed when people are presenting wholly illogical argumentation which is, at this point, entirely unsubstantiated?

it is a biological fact that mold will die when exposed to heat which is at or above 140F - boiling water averages 212F in temp, greatly exceeding the minimum threshold to kill mold - logic would dictate then, that by using boiling water, for example, that you will kill virtually all mold and spores present by creating such harsh conditions that it can not continue to live in

yes but were does that get you? i get that not anyone likes to have a "bioactive" enclosure and the term/fad annoys me to no end anyway but i base my care on the spider not on the substrate, i dont want to have it bone dry just to prevent mold when i feel like the spider may need some moisture