Glasgow Andrew Has a Question

[Andrew Murdoch]

Hi guys,
just got a delivery of a new viv, heat mats, substrate ect.
So here is my question:
Is Zoo Med Forrest Floor Bedding (100% cypress mulch) mixed with T-rex forrest bed substrate suitable for L. parahybana?
With regard to this mix I intend using, is there a risk of fungus and mould, I am not too sure if it has been treated to kill spores etc. I am aware that Zoo Med can and is used with lizards, tortoises, frogs and Tarantulas. Its just really to put my mind at rest.
I purchased my things from http://www.888reptiles.co.uk/ and feel I got quite a good deal compared to the many petshops I checked out.

As for my other two T's, they are doing well. My Brachypelma smithi looks great at the moment. My Grammostola rosea is on hunger strike! I am aware that this type can fast for quite a time. I popped a cricket in the other day and it got out of its way sharpish! So I feel it is best left alone for a bit, I will wait a bit and try another time.

Anyway hope to here your shared experience. Andrew.

[James Box]

not sure about that specific substrate, but if it's like any other, just let it dry out before putting the T in.
also, if you're vigilant, you can rip out mould if and when it appears, and of course taking out left-over bits of crickets is vital whenever you see them.
otherwise your para will be fine!

massive, grateful credit goes to Colin for these further tips:
let humidity be governed by a full water dish that overflows slightly, and add loads of woodlice if you can...they eat mould, faeces, left-overs, mite eggs, phorid eggs, etc etc etc. T's seem to ignore them.
if you can't get woodlice, you can add meal worms and superworms...they also do a bit of tidying, but your T might snack on them as well, so they don't last, though your T will be quite happy with its circumstances!

[Colin D Wilson]

In general the mulch stuff needs a good micro wave to kill spores but other than that i've heard it's OK and a lot of people use it without problems.

I'll add that mealworms and super worms are a little more suited to scorpion tanks (very messy eaters compared to spiders) in a spider tank i'd be careful of the larger worms as they can give a substantial bite so a moulting spider could be at risk.
Saying this i've had normal mealworms in with quite a few of my larger terestrial tanks and arboreal communities for most of their time with me with no problems.

[Clinton Hogben]

massive, grateful credit goes to Colin for these further tips:
let humidity be governed by a full water dish that overflows slightly, and add loads of woodlice if you can...they eat mould, faeces, left-overs, mite eggs, phorid eggs, etc etc etc. T's seem to ignore them.

Anyone know if you can buy woodlice in bulk for that purpose so to speak or do I have to treck into some woodland and select them by hand

Cheers

Clint

[Peter Lacey]

The most likely cause of fungus and mold, apart from food left-overs, is too high a humidity caused by too much moisture. As fungus and mold are airborne its impossible to eradicate it but curing the problem is fairly easy - improve the ventilation and let it dry out. Mites can be cured in the same way and as these tiny creatures are ineffective at storing moisture whereas the Ts are excellent at doing so, its a simple remedy. Removing the water bowl for cleaning will probably kill off the vast majority.
As the L. p requires a dry substrate you shouldnt experience too many probs and if you use a heatmat the substrate will probably be dry enough within a day or 2. The L. p won't suffer within that timeframe so as long as the substrate isn't water logged you'll be fine.