Treatment for Moss??

saltonreaper · #1 (**permalink**) 02-21-2007, 12:51 AM

For all you professionals who are tired of NEWBS, please be patient. I tried to search for this topic in two different forums, and couldn't find it.
I need a remedy for my mold problem. I heard about springtails but, I'm pretty sure no pet shops have them in So. Cal. and I really don't want to order any online. Will Fruit Flies work?

Frog10 · #2 (**permalink**) 02-21-2007, 01:02 AM

I've heard isopods (roli polis i think) can get rid of mold but not sure about wild ones. Fruit flies wont eat it. Or you could wait it out and see if is goes away. But your best bet would be to get st's

dustin_grey · #3 (**permalink**) 02-21-2007, 01:43 AM

With my limited knowledge of mold and it's effects on a viv, I believe the the mold should not pose a problem and will probaly go away on its own. I believe thats how it is at least. Also, it shouldnt be harmful to any animals in there.

defaced · #4 (**permalink**) 02-21-2007, 01:44 AM

I'm guessing your thread title is supposed to say "Treatment for Mold".

You can get isopods (yes, they're rollipollies) and springtails right in your own backyard. Roll over logs and rocks to find rolliepollies, and grab a handfull of damp leaves to get springtails.

If this is a new tank, and the mold is white and fluffy, it's completely normal and will go away on its own.

SappyHucks · #5 (**permalink**) 02-21-2007, 02:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by defaced

and springtails right in your own backyard.

Anyone know of a state by state breakdown on these lil guys?

saltonreaper · #6 (**permalink**) 02-21-2007, 03:38 AM

thanks to all replies. there are plenty of rolliepollies around my house.

defaced · #7 (**permalink**) 02-21-2007, 03:40 AM

I don't know a state by state breakdown of them, but I'm sure someone from Florida will chime in and say if they're native to there or not

GSXR_MURRHEE · #8 (**permalink**) 02-21-2007, 04:18 AM

They're all over the place down here (Florida). I'd rather go with the springtails myself though.

Cmirbach · #9 (**permalink**) 02-21-2007, 07:13 AM

the pillbugs or "rollie pollies" wont eat the mold, but will feed on decaying material, which is what the mold feeds on. although they will help the mold problem, your best bet is springtails. you can collect em even in the middle of winter! do a little research on collecting them, its really easy. they are very beneficial to the soil, eat bacteria and fungus (mold) and if you have frogs or fish in your viviarium provide a sustainable food source(with proper measures taken, such as providing them with decaying leaf litter and areas to breed that their predators cant reach) I was asking the same question just last week, and with the guidance of forum veterans like defaced, was able to find everything i needed to know.

harrywitmore · #10 (**permalink**) 02-22-2007, 07:53 PM

Isopods will also eat fresh vegetation such as the growing crown of almost any plant so be careful introducing them into you viv.

http://insected.arizona.edu/isoinfo.htm