Problems with Bed-A-Beast

[Earl]

Hi everyone!

My Ball Python recently went into shed so I raised the humidity up to around 70% and everything went smoothly but I noticed a white fuzzy growth on the Bed-A-Beast substrate. I've never seen this before and I've searched high and low on the internet and found very little info on this. It's only on one small spot in the tank but I assume whatever this stuff is will spread everywhere. :eek:

Will this go away as I let the humidity return to normal?

Or is this a big problem and I need to change out the substrate ASAP?

The snake seems fine, his skin looks wonderful, and his appetite is huge, no signs of anything amiss.

Any info or suggestions you guys may have would be most appreciated.

[Nate]

I have no experience with that particular substrate, but I do know that Aspen bedding works fine and there is absolutely nothing wrong with using plain ol' newspaper. If I were you, I would take that bedding out and replace it with newspaper. Personally, I like to put a layer of newspaper down and then a thin layer of aspen bedding.

edit: Check out this thread. It has a poll with everyone's preferred bedding and bed-a-beast is not listed. Newspaper is preferred amongst most, and aspen is in a close by second place

[nebby3103]

I have no experience with that particular substrate, but I do know that Aspen bedding works fine and there is absolutely nothing wrong with using plain ol' newspaper. If I were you, I would take that bedding out and replace it with newspaper. Personally, I like to put a layer of newspaper down and then a thin layer of aspen bedding.

edit: Check out this thread. It has a poll with everyone's preferred bedding and bed-a-beast is not listed. Newspaper is preferred amongst most, and aspen is in a close by second place

Isn't Bed-A-Beast just one of many coconut fiber substrates? That's what I use and I was under the impression that is what it is. I could be wrong though. If it is though, then it is on that poll, although it didn't rank very high. Check out this one too http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...substrate+poll.

As for the original post, I would assume that is mold, but I don't know. Assuming it is, I would completely empty and clean your tank. Might as well do the whole 9 yards while you're at it... cleaning, disinfecting, etc. I personally haven't had any problems with mold growth on coco fiber. I empty, clean and disinfect my tank every 4-6 weeks. Newspaper and paper towels work too. So does aspen, cypress and every other substrate listed in that poll. Keep using coco fiber if that's what best suits your needs. Or you can experiment; your call. Good luck.

[Nate]

Isn't Bed-A-Beast just one of many coconut fiber substrates? That's what I use and I was under the impression that is what it is. I could be wrong though.

heh or you could be right. Like i said, i have no experience with it

[Earl]

Thanks for the replies.

Tomorrow I'll give the tank a thorough cleaning and change out the substrate.

[Earl]

Isn't Bed-A-Beast just one of many coconut fiber substrates?

It's ground up coconut husks.

[TheAudOne]

Yeah thats what it is (mold)....could be from old stool *shrugs*
I used to use shredded coconut husks and found it to be such a pain in the butt I switched over to aspin or sanichips..I can see myself switching to news paper in the near future as we get more and more snakes.

[Snakeman]

white fuzzy stuff is mold.

i use this substrate for my tarantulas so i know how this stuff works.

[geckochick]

Excess moisture can cause it to mold. I have had that problem in my Frog's place. When I miss a stool or when the water bowl tips from him getting in and out.

[Earl]

Thanks everyone for the help.

I'll change out the substrate as soon as I get home from work.