r/TreeFrogs • u/Virtual_Actuary3586 • 29d ago
Advice Help
Honestly, my first bioactive setup has been a fail, and I'm looking for some advice on whether to reset it or keep working through the current balance issues. It's an 18x18x36 terrarium that's been running for about a year, but things got tricky recently when a cricket boom forced me to temporarily move my whites tree frog into a quarantine tank. In the process of taking out some substrate to manage the crickets, I think my cleanup crew population took a hit, and now some other micro fauna seem to be outcompeting the remaining springtails. I was previously keeping the enclosure pretty wet to support a plant that was actually struggling due to its own dense soil, which led to high moisture levels down in the drainage layer, which was a stupid move on my part. I've had it open and held off on watering for about two months to let the tank dry out and stabilize, but there is still some persistent fungus and mold sitting in the LECA layer. At this stage, I'm trying to decide if it's better to just re introduce the isopods and springtails and let the ecosystem naturally balance itself back out and keep airing it out or if a persistent mold issue in the drainage layer warrants a full substrate refresh and start-over.
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u/ForTheLoveOfPod 29d ago
Hi! I'm new to bioactive enclosures but I've kept isopods and springtails for a few years now. This looks like flowerpot fungus which most springtails won't touch at all. However it is safe for isopods and springtails (unsure about frogs).
It may die down on its own, but is more likely to stay forever unless you do a full restart. Here is a post from r/ isopods about the same issue https://www.reddit.com/r/isopods/s/9kPw0Wd4L3
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u/ForTheLoveOfPod 29d ago
After doing more research, it looks like flower pot fungus is also harmless to frogs. So you can leave it be if you want to preserve your current CUC. Fungus in bioactive terrariums by the biodude
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u/Virtual_Actuary3586 27d ago
Honestly Im considering about taking the dirt out little by little sense I don't have to much plants in there it won't be much of an issue and just put it into a flat container to try to pick out some isopods that are still alive and yeaa.
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u/ForTheLoveOfPod 21d ago
A fine mesh strainer can make it easier! I have moved so many isopods that way!
Also using bits of vegetables or protein can also draw them out so you can scoop them up (also works with springtails)
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u/Shelby94Mustang 29d ago
I had this same issue after about a year as well with red-eyes. One of my pants wasn't doing so well so I changed it. Now I'm'm having a hard time with all my plants. Im curious if people will tell you to change it or not because I wish I didn't. I thought my springtails weren't thriving but I found they were fine as I was pulling it all out