Mold in tanks

[CourtneyG]

So I have mold growing in both my juvenile pancake tank and box turtle tank. Both I keep with high humidity, shell growth for the pancake, and wet for the boxy. How can I prevent mold from growing. It is growing on spilled food and poop, and for some strange reason on some of the grass in the pancakes tank. I understand to help is to definitely clean up the poop and food, but it can be hard to pick up all the pieces.

 

[Saleama]

As you said, get as much of the food up as possible and as quickly as possible. Also, I use coco coir and the mold does not spread on the coir like it will on other substrtes. It helps to only feed on a dish. Many here use terra cotta saucers found at all home and garden and big box stores. They are a bit hard to clean once food sticks, but they work wonderfully and help to trim beaks and claws.

 

[CourtneyG]

Any critters I can throw in there to help as well?

 

[lismar79]

I bought a little fan to help circulate the air and it is helping a little. Interested in seeing what tips you get.

 

[Saleama]

Any critters I can throw in there to help as well?

Red wiggler worms and doodle bugs (rolly pollies, pill bugs...whatever they are called in your neck of the woods...)
They will stay under the food dish. I simply pick up the food dish and dump the tiny amounts of left overs under and then cover it back up. If there are large amounts I take them out. You can buy red wigglers at bait stores or Wal-Mart or online if you don't mind a whole bunch of them. I bought 2,000 and started a worm tub to compost the leftovers and feed the box turtles I take care of.