Mold and Fungus

[fluffylily]

Does anyone have problems with mold and/or fungus in their terrariums? I have a LECA filled bottom (about 2-3 inches), screen, and some orchid bark and moss on top.

I just recently saw mold growing on the bottom of the wood pieces that are sitting on the bark. And just now I found a few pieces of orange mushrooms! They creeped me out a bit, but I managed to dig one out and take a picture. I have two fans on the top constantly blowing. The mold is only growing on the substrate on the bottom of the tank where I am assuming the fans can't reach very well.

What can I do about this? Should I just leave it?

[Ross]

Yep! I use Physan 20 and Thiomyl in rotation regularly in mine. When I say regularly, I mean like every other day. Neither has a really long shelf life diluted (mixed up) but both will last a week or two. Physan is really good if you scrub the fungus area with a bronze brush meant for car restoration work. Then spray. I also sometimes use straight 80 proof vodka (cheap stuff) right on the fungus and that seems to stop it right now. Use an eye dropper and drizzle the vodka over the fungus deposit after you have roughed it up with a wire brush or bronze brush (either one). Be aware, though, you are in, shortly, for a remount exercise, because the fungus is growing on rotten wood. Sorry. Next time switch to cedar or something rot-resistant.

[fluffylily]

Thanks Ross for the tips. For the mold and fungus growing on the bottom substrate (wood chips), should I just spray the diluted Physan 20 solution on it? I will try to find some Physan or equivalent here. Things are a bit harder for me to find over here since I have to still do a bit of guess work with all of the German products.