RF substrate smell?

[StarSapphire22]

It's because being waterlogged allows for the growth of anaerobic bacteria. Setting up a bioactive substrate can sometimes help with it. Using a mix instead of a singular material can also help sometimes.

Yeah, I can't do bugs, lol. But I've been thinking next time it's due for a change I'm going to mix in a little soil and orchid bark.

 

[Ashes]

This is why I like orchid bark or cypress mulch. Neither one gets sour when sitting too wet. That's what you're smelling...sour, bacteria-laden substrate.

Blech! I'm going to try the coco chips first - if I don't like em, I'm going for orchid bark.

 

[Ashes]

Btw - loving the coco chips so far!! They smell so much better. He loves digging into them in all different places.... It's not so messy. And the humidity stays up pretty well - not AS well as the coco coir, but pretty close. I add water more, but I was expecting that since they're chips and the water kinda falls through and doesn't soak in really. But all in all - not bad!!

 

[tortoisetime565]

I haven't sprayed my RF cage in days but the humidity and the humidifier keep the substrate wet. It smells bad and I've noticed mold growth! What should I do with this senerio?

 

[Ashes]

What substrate do you use?

 

[tortoisetime565]

Eco earth coco coir and there is fake moss on top. Its moss that comes in a block and expands like Eco earth.

 

[tortoisetime565]

Also the plants that are planted in pest moss and little pots are growing mold also.

 

[Ashes]

That's what I just changed from because it was smelling like rotten eggs and turning white on top/growing stuff. :/ I ordered coco chips instead and am loving them. As is my little guy! I just didn't like the Eco earth - no reason I should change it every month (per the experts on here who use the same stuff for forever!). I also bought sheet moss from Josh's Frogs and it's fantastic stuff - very green and nice looking. I spray that every day to keep it alive, and dump water in the chips about every once in a while (not too much - just enough for a small layer at bottom of chips - the substrate is about 5-6" deep).

 

[tortoisetime565]

What do you have mixed with the chips? Is it just the chips plain? I will deff look into getting them. What site did you order from?

 

[Ashes]

I just have the chips. I haven't had a reason to mix - some people do, some don't. And I just ordered blocks from amazon (see below - warning - took like 2 weeks to receive!!). So if you're impatient like me, be prepared... lol and I only used about 3/4 of a brick - still have the rest of that one and a full one left. Well worth the money so far!

 

[Ashes]

Otherwise, fine grade orchid bark is another popular choice (which I might try in the future just because - just to see what I like better).

 

[tortoisetime565]

I'm ordering now!! Thanks so much!!

 

[Ashes]

You're welcome! Hope you like it as much as I do!!!

 

[dmmj]

Bump... (sorry mods. )

Please don't bump, there is no need to do so. It shows up as new whenever someone logs on, ok, now to the question.
It should not be going bad/smell bad in just a month. I wonder if maybe it is being caused by spoiled food? Any chance of that? Poop maybe being missed? If you are spot cleaning the substrate should easily last around a year.

 

[Ashes]

No, not spoiled food - I'm sure of that. As for poop? There's a chance one or two might've been missed, but he pooped in his soaks almost every day. But they are so small, I can't imagine they'd smell like that - plus it was only when I would mix the substrate around.. :/

 

[tortoisetime565]

I just took out all of my fake moss and the eco earth underneath was sopping wet. I haven't sprayed his cage in weeks. I think the closed chamber is keeping it really wet. I'm going to dry it out and start over.