Sorry I wasn't trying to really start a big me vs you debate on this. It was rot and it is actually all cleared up now that he has shed. I would liek to say that yes cocoa fiber when used improperly can cause scale rot. So can aspen, and newspaper. Its the wetness that causes the condition. My problem was 2 fold in that I improperly mixed the substate and water which made it too moist and I have moved to a basement appartment which makes adjusting to the humidity and moisture even more difficult. However, I have used cocoafiber for about 2 years once with a scorpion and now with the bp and I have found that for me it helps because I have typically had issues keeping humidities high and it seems to do the trick. I didn't mean to offend anyone by advocating for this subsrate which I generally like when its used effectivly.