Moldy Moss! Please Help!

[HaleyM]

Hi there! I have a 30 gallon breeder tank with a Crocodile Skink. The substrate is large turtle rocks with pillow moss and driftwood on top. There are plently of rocky shallow pools for him as well as a large water dish. This species requires 100% humidity and a similar set up type to salamanders!
However I am having trouble with mold taking over the moss. It is absolutely gross and cannot be good for his health or mine (allergic to mold). I live in Florida and there is a very good chance that the house I am living in has a mold problem because it might have been involved with flooding. There is a UVB bulb and a full spectrum bulb. I noticed the 'frog pillow moss' that I got from a box developed it first.

How can I get this mold off my moss?!

 

[AdvythAF]

Does the tank have any ventilation? Stale air can cause fungal and bacterial growth. Although you have to keep the humidity up, you might want to have a little bit of ventilation. Also, some insects eat mold. You might want to consider adding these insects to your tank.

Hope it gets better!

 

[HaleyM]

I would love to know what these insects are! And the top is a screen mesh. The tank itself is a 30 br zilla.

 

[Brynjar]

As stated above, could be a lack of ventilation. A (computer) fan should do the trick. Just keep it running 5-6 hours a day where the skink is hiding anyway

 

[AdvythAF]

Dart frog keepers often "seed" their tanks with springtails and isopods. Isopods/springtails act as natural janitors in vivariums. You can buy them or find them outside. I keep isopods in my tank for cleaning and as a snack for my sals.

While the fans may work, they might decrease the humidity.

Actually I read somewhere that UVB bulbs decrease mold growth. I am not sure this is true, however.

 

[Hilizanne]

I have a fully planted viv for my crested gecko with active springtails. Unfortunately, I also have a mold problem. It has not affected any other of my tanks which are equally high in humidity and also colonized with springtails. Mine started from where I put his fruit. Just thought I would contribute re: the springtails taking care of the problem. I just keep throwing away more and dirt and moss.