What is this?

[jebbewocky]

No actually I am preventing mold from growing all over the place with the aid of peat moss. Peat moss is significantly acidic, its levels reach a pH of 3.5 to 4.0. The purpose of the experiment is to isolate the theraphosid's waste from anything else that is growing in the substrate and observe if the waste itself attracts the fungi. The peat moss is only their to hold in humidity. I've also allowed some of it touch the waste to see what happens.

So, with the peat moss it isn't optimal mold growing conditions then, is it?

 

[xhexdx]

So, with the peat moss it isn't optimal mold growing conditions then, is it?

Nope.

On top of that, it makes the original claim that 'poop doesn't mold' completely invalid.

 

[JC]

So, with the peat moss it isn't optimal mold growing conditions then, is it?

Well no, but I'm not trying to grow mold it on the peat. It is optimal mold growing conditions for the waste. If I were to aid the waste at a chemical level, then the experiment would be worthless. Part of the waste is isolated from the peat so that the acid doesn't touch the waste. I did not scrap off the waste in throw it in a container, the waste was sprayed on by the spider onto the side of the cage and part of the bottom.

Nope.

On top of that, it makes the original claim that 'poop doesn't mold' completely invalid.

Like I said, it likely does mold on a small scale level, don't think it would be significant enough to worry a spider keeper.

 

[xhexdx]

Like I said, it likely does mold on a small scale level, don't think it would be significant enough to worry a spider keeper.

I must have misunderstood this then:

Their poop does not mold.

 

[JC]

I must have misunderstood this then:

No, you just overlooked when I clarified what I was trying to say here:

Well I'm sure they mold to some degree(perhaps a microscopic level), but I've never seen mold on poop even in the best mold growing conditions, have you?

 

[xhexdx]

No, you just overlooked when I clarified what I was trying to say here:

Ah.

Well, then you must have overlooked what I stated here:

On top of that, it makes the original claim that 'poop doesn't mold' completely invalid.

 

[JC]

Ah.

Well, then you must have overlooked what I stated here:

.......What?

 

[xhexdx]

.......What?

Ah. That explains it.

 

[JC]

Ah. That explains it.

lol. Joe you really are pathetic. You've dedicated your entire time on this thread simply with the intent of proving me wrong, when in fact I had explained, more than once, that there was indeed possibility of minimal mold growth, and here I was actually thinking you were interested in learning something, silly me .

When I said 'poop doesn't mold', it was in the context of the OP's question:

Should I clean it off, if it is poo? Would that mould?

No, theraphosid waste doesn't mold to the extent that you have to remove it from the enclosure every time the spider defecates. No one in the hobby goes around searching for their 'T's poop' to wipe it clean before it molds. But you knew this already, and most likely understood what I was explaining(I sure hope so), but yet continued on nit-picking at my first post.

But if you want to take things into absolutes, mold is everywhere. In fact, it is almost impossible the find a place on earth where mold particles are not present. When someone refers to mold in their home/workspace/tanks, they are referring to a significant amount that is either detrimental to either their home, health, or pets.

By the way, you are free to quote parts of lines 12 &13 .

 

[bee67]

Hey. You two. You're arguing about poop.

I joke, I kid
But anyway, thanks for the answers- I'll get in there and clean 'er up.

(Also, the reason the colour might look different could also be the camera. The flash was on and the now-ID'd poo was in a shadow.)

 

[JC]

Hey. You two. You're arguing about poop.

I joke, I kid
But anyway, thanks for the answers- I'll get in there and clean 'er up.

(Also, the reason the colour might look different could also be the camera. The flash was on and the now-ID'd poo was in a shadow.)

Hehe. Yes here on arachnoboards we argue about everything, even poop! :}

Yeah, it is best just to remove the waste. It doesn't look good on the decoration and can insight bacteria growth, or even....mold!<gasps>.

 

[AbraCadaver]

Hahahahahahahaha, poop... XD

 

[xhexdx]

JC -

See, here's where you miss the point.

A blanket statement like 'poop does not mold' is something we call misinformation.

Excuse me for clarifying with you where you read or heard that poop doesn't mold. My first post asking about it was because I was interested in your sources, and I would have liked to have read anything that led you to that conclusion.

By then stating that you were in the process of experimenting with whether poop molds or not (which is quite coincidental considering the topic, hmm?) with an environment that is 'optimal for mold growth' yet using moss that doesn't really mold...well, you disproved your original blanket statement.

I then simply pointed out that your 'poop doesn't mold' statement was incorrect. If you want to call that pathetic, then go for it. I find it more pathetic when someone posts ridiculous information in an attempt to look smart.

 

[JC]

JC -

See, here's where you miss the point.

A blanket statement like 'poop does not mold' is something we call misinformation.

Ok, I understand you think I was trying to misinform and to some extent my first post might have lacked detail, but I believe when asked about it the first time, and I had clarified exactly what I meant just 2 posts later down the thread, I think it was time to drop it right then and there. My position and explanation is no less different then than it is now.

By then stating that you were in the process of experimenting with whether poop molds or not (which is quite coincidental considering the topic, hmm?)

Hehe. What can I say? I experiment with spider poops. :} Ok, maybe I will stop being a dirty scientist and throw out my experiments. Hmm, maybe Ts too, they're kinda dirty too when you sit down and think about it. Maybe I'll get into a new hobby, like discussing politics...yeah much cleaner.

with an environment that is 'optimal for mold growth' yet using moss that doesn't really mold...well, you disproved your original blanket statement.

I don't know what your biology background is, but in a controlled scientific experiment there controlled variables and experimental groups. In this case the experimental is the chemistry of the waste. I am testing for mold growth on that waste's chemistry. I can not add fertilizers, neither can I introduce mold deterrent-type acids to the variable because it would skew the results. If I added mold-favorable chemicals to the waste I would not know if the mold growth is actually feeding off the waste, or if they are feeding off the the fertilizers present. High humidity, the right ventilation, and the right temperature are as far as I can go to provide favorable conditions without skewing the results.

I then simply pointed out that your 'poop doesn't mold' statement was incorrect. If you want to call that pathetic, then go for it. I find it more pathetic when someone posts ridiculous information in an attempt to look smart.

It was not the you asking me about what I posted that was pathetic, granted I am on this site 95% for the purpose learning and discussion, but the fact that you tried to make it look like there was some sort of communication conflict that wasn't really there, when I was right here to clarify what I ment. I honestly answered your questions, the answers are there for display for the viewing pleasure and enjoyment of everyone on Arachnoboards, everyone here can come to their own conclusions, what else is there to prove? And why keep referring to my previous posts when I had addressed their content several times already? Just seemed childish in my opinion.

Ok, I'll give you this. If I could post again for the first time , I would have posted

"In my opinion, I have not witnessed fecal-mold growth on any of the 400 tarantula cages I have kept during my experience keeping theraphosids. Although mold growth in a therphosid's fecal matter is possible, it would most likely not have any types of detrimental effects on your spider, due to the fecal's low mass and water content after several minutes after excretion, there would not be a significant enough mold growth to worry for the spider's safety and you would not ''most likely'' have to remove the excrement, nor completely sterilize the enclosure."

Better?

I apologize for calling you pathetic, but your discussion seemed to escalate from an issue concerning the contents of a post, to an issue with the poster, as you seemed to be more concerned with what was written previously to what I was actually trying to get across.

 

[maitre]

Well I'm sure they mold to some degree(perhaps a microscopic level), but I've never seen mold on poop even in the best mold growing conditions, have you?

I've seen poop mold....

 

[JC]

I've seen poop mold....

Yes, now I am aware that quite a few people have seen it. The growth is most likely assisted by the low acids levels in the feces, maybe correlated with the diet and PH or even the species itself. I don't know, but I don't want to ask people about their Ts diet and mold growth on this thread. I'll start a new thread on it after I'm done experimenting.

 

[AbraCadaver]

Oh, come on JC, stiff upper lip! Say poop, not feces.. Poop is so much more fun!

 

[JC]

Oh, come on JC, stiff upper lip! Say poop, not feces.. Poop is so much more fun!

lol, nice sense of humor.

 

[AbraCadaver]

Well, no, but I admit it.. I find the word poop amusing.. I'm 19 years old.. Yes, I*m in therapy..

 

[ZergFront]

Not all (poop poop poop ) is created equal.

Not to mention it also would depend on what the spider is eating. If you're feeding yours crickets and they're feeding theirs roaches, I bet the (poop poop poop ) will have some slightly different characteristics.

*nods* Yeah. Even humans' and dogs' poop varies, so why not a spider?

My arboreals have had similarly shaped poop, but never that tan. Usually it was bright white and turned chalky after it dried.

T.M.I?