White fuzzy mold?

[john]

Why do I get this white fuzzy mold in my cage? It kinda looks like cotton. It is growing off my Fluker's Moss I get at the pet store. I don't even have any Salamanders in the cage yet. The cage in new.

So what is this stuff guys and how do I make it stop?

 

[ian]

I guess that is some sort of Fungi. Just try to remove it manually and clean it a bit. If it come back, repeat the process until it is gone for good.

 

[drew]

I agree with Ian. While I haven't personally had firsthand experience with mold problems, I'd imagine it would be hard to completely eradicate without completely sterilizing the substrate and cleaning the entire cage thoroughly.

 

[jennifer]

That's odd. I've never had a problem with pet shop moss getting moldy, except when there's a bit of food or waste that goes bad in there. What else is in the tank (like substrate or whatever)? I'd be inclined to get rid of the moss and find something else to use. Live cuttings of pothos or ivy could substitute.

 

[foster]

I setup a temporary enclosure (20 L) for my 3 younger Salamandra 2 weeks ago. As a substrate I used a bag of forest floor something or the other bedding (by Exoterra I believe). I have since found several moldy areas (I try to be fairly meticulous about removing uneaten food and waste). Normally I would have just used regular cypress mulch (that's what this stuff appears to be anyway) however I read on a CP forum that commercial cypress mulch often has other, potentially toxic materials mixed in. I did not want to risk this with the salamanders so I opted for the "sterilized" stuff.
Chip

 

[john]

Thanks guys. The mold has not come back yet. I took out the moss that had it on it. Maybe it was just a bad moss. If it comes back I will take pic's of it and post them.