Substrate causing mold

[furrycnorm]

Hello, I was wondering what's the best substrate to use for a glass aquarium with screen top. I have used coconut shavings (the brick you have to add water to) and also aspen snake bedding and I have been getting mold growing all over the tank on top of the bedding. This can't be good for the snakes, so what should I use?

[NickP]

Mold will only grow if you mist too much and your humidity is WAYY higher than 50% (probably 80-90% range?)

I use coconut husk as well and spray few times per day, but I've never had mold. Initially the humidity would jump to 80% for 10-14 mins before dropping to the 50-60 zone for several hours.

[Brimstone111888]

I live in Florida so my humidity is always 65-80% all the time. I also use aspen and have not had a mold problem. The substrate has to be really wet to grow mold. Is the snake spilling the water dish?

[JLC]

How often do you change the bedding? I'd suggest newspaper, but mold will grow on that, too, if it's not changed regularly. If you're changing it regularly...and still getting that much mold growing that fast...I'd be more concerned with finding the source of it. If there's no other mold issues in the house (especially near that tank) then maybe try bleaching the whole tank very thoroughly. Make sure it's completely rinsed and dried well before putting in fresh, clean substrate (newspaper really would be good to use).

[Argentra]

Hmm, something is wrong. You shouldn't be getting mold unless your bedding has spores already or the tank is soaked.

Clean out your tank completely, remove everything and wash it really well then let everything dry totally. Then, use aspen bedding and put the things back in and give it a light misting. Make sure your water dish is of a heavy material so the snake can't tip it over.
If, after that, you still have mold then something is really wrong in there. Let us know how it turns out.