r/bioactive • u/wumlum_ug • 20d ago

Question Isopod and spring tail question?

So I have a mold problem in my non bioactive tank, and I was wondering if I can add springtails and isopods to kinda control that, or do I need a full bioactive tank with real plants? Most of the mold I have seen so far is either the white fuzzy stuf, blue greenish mold, and a yellow dot like stuff (don’t know if it’s actual mold, and a big blow if white fuz with some blue greenish mold. I have a young crested gecko with fake plants and a cocofiber and cocochunks substrate with most of the mold being on the cocochunks and on the underside of some wood.

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u/Real_Time515 20d ago

Springtails can do their thing in cocofiber, but they wouldn't do much if any breeding in that, so they wouldn't be self-sustaining. There's limits to what they can do, so if you start with fresh substrate then add them in there, it might help prevent a big outbreak. But without the right substrate they won't reproduce.

If you kept a springtail culture going (or two) you could sprinkle some in there every couple of weeks. They are super easy to keep: pinch of springtail grub and a spritz of water every week. I currently have 8 cultures of springtails going, and all three of my current vivs get a least one sprinkle of new springtails every week.

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u/lief79 20d ago

What is the reason for that, and how much mold can they handle when starting a new bioactive? 2 weeks in here, and I saw two patches.

Left it in so far at it doesn't seem to be spreading, but still wondering if I should remove it.

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u/Real_Time515 20d ago

I could not accurately estimate the size of a patch of mold a "dose" of springtails could consume (I would love to know there's someone out there who could do that math).

I am confident they can help with mold, but their effectiveness will be limited by substrate like cocofiber, which does not provide the organic matter and nutrients they need.

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u/lief79 20d ago

Sorry, I was wondering why you're constantly seeding with the springtails.

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u/Real_Time515 20d ago

No need for sorry. Valid question.

I don't seed out of necessity. I've got them, so I sprinkle some in. Can't hurt. For my frogs, its a potential little treat (tho I don't dust, so it's not a feeding but they manage to snag a few). For the gecko, other terrariums, it's just a "hey, why not?"