Weird question about coco fiber

[ChaniLB520]

Hello! I have a somewhat unusual question, and wondering if anyone else has some insight or a similar experience. I rehydrated a block of coconut fiber quite a long time ago, at least 6 months I would say. Then I kept it in a plastic storage bin with the lid on and tucked it away before it had completely dried out. I pulled it out and opened it today, planning to use it to mix with some other substrates for a new enclosure for my hisser roaches. I wanted to make sure it wasn't moldy, since I knew I had put it in there wet and left it for some time. Well it's not moldy, or doesn't appear to be, but it is still quite damp. I just want to make sure it's safe to use for my animals - it smells "damp" but not really moldy or mildewy, and as I said there is no visible mold. Just the idea that it has been damp for so long gives me pause. Anybody else have coco fiber or other substrates that have stayed damp in a container, and used it for substrate later on?

 

[Matt Man]

air dry it, it should be fine. I spend mine out in the sun

 

[birdonfire]

I've purchased moist bags of coir and used in roach and tarantula enclosures without ill effect.

 

[Tarantuland]

If there’s no mold, weird smells, or mites it’s probably fine

 

[The Snark]

Coco fiber is wood. Treat it as such. Except it has the bonus when you dry it in the sun it won't warp... any more than it already is anyway. Just think of it as a long grained exceptionally tough hardwood similar in tensile strength to the fibers in Honduras Mahogany with the extra bonus it can be soaked in salt water for years and regain it's tough resilient properties upon being dried out.

 

[viper69]

Use it

 

[Sarkhan42]

Should be just fine to use, I’ve done almost the exact same before and not had issues.

 

[ChaniLB520]

Coco fiber is wood. Treat it as such. Except it has the bonus when you dry it in the sun it won't warp... any more than it already is anyway. Just think of it as a long grained exceptionally tough hardwood similar in tensile strength to the fibers in Honduras Mahogany with the extra bonus it can be soaked in salt water for years and regain it's tough resilient properties upon being dried out.

Thank you! That is a great perspective to keep in mind. I love that. And thanks to all for the peace of mind - I'll get that enclosure set up!

 

[Dorifto]

Does it have a sour odor?

Coco finer is well known for fermenting under low oxigen environments.

 

[ChaniLB520]

Does it have a sour odor?

Coco finer is well known for fermenting under low oxigen environments.

No sour odor. But that is good to know. I’ve had my roaches on it for about a week now and they seem to be doing just fine. But I’m going to let what is left in the container air dry before storing it again.