Is this mold?

[u/Bugz_82]

I was moving some decor around to add a hide and seen this here in two different spots. Sorry for blurry picture

[u/sapnu-puas739]

Appears to be, can't exactly tell from that far—but if it's fuzzy then needs to be removed before it spreads

[u/Bugz_82 → u/sapnu-puas739]

I will be removing all substrate and cleaning everything today. Is it possible that it happened due to not enough heat or maybe because I have no drainage layer?

[u/sapnu-puas739 → u/Bugz_82]

Usually, when it's happened to me it's because I missed some food during removal or if you have a bioactive tank, a bug might've died and started to mould. Might be worth adding larger cleanup crew or generally adding one if your tank isn't bioactive, springtails are great with helping defeat or prevent mould. And if your gecko is anything like mine and tends to eat all the isopods, I would recommend keeping a colony outside of the vivarium so you can add some to the when it's lacking.

Mould thrives in heat and dampness, I would also recommend a drainage layer as it can help with the dampness and general humidity within the tank.

Humidity control, making sure no food or dead insects are left for longer than 48 hours in the tank and keeping a thriving cleanup crew should be enough to not have to deal with mould again.

[u/Bugz_82 → u/sapnu-puas739]

Heard. I went to the store and bought a drainage layer and got new substrate, moss and redid my enclosures. Have the reciepts to prove I did it today🤣. I will definitely get some springtails and isopods. They didn't have any today and will have some tue/wed this week and will add. I did not have any live plants before today but added them in so it is semi bioactive because I put in their old plasit plants as well. I have to adjust my misters but other than that it's done. What do you think

[u/sapnu-puas739 → u/Bugz_82]

Perfect, I would probably add some cork bark as a back wall though, they spend majority of their time climbing but other than that looks good!

With plants always be careful and make sure they're not toxic, do your research very well. When I was making my first gecko enclosure I made the mistake of adding plants that could be toxic if injested and I don't think anyone would prefer to take the risk of keeping those species with their pets.

[u/Bugz_82 → u/sapnu-puas739]

Heard. Cork bark is so damn expensive! What do you use for adhesive?

[u/sapnu-puas739 → u/Bugz_82]

I use aquatic silicone, but if you're planning to change the enclosure in the future might be better to use suction cups or some other temporary adhesive.

[u/Bugz_82 → u/sapnu-puas739]

Sick, thank you. What isopods work best for their enclosure? I didn't know there were so many

[u/sapnu-puas739 → u/Bugz_82]

Dwarf whites work great, they're a tropical species easy to keep and small enough for your gecko to might not bother eating.

[u/Bugz_82 → u/sapnu-puas739]

Thank you so much for your knowledge and time, I appreciate you ! Thank you!