Tokay subtrate?

[The Kamel]

Tokay substrate?

Sorry if this is in the wrong form but I specifically wanted to ask the Tokay keepers. I've been keeping my Tokays and Green Eyes on cypress mulch for a couple of years now because it doesn't mold. But it always bothered me seeing them miss a prey item and getting a mouth full of Wood. So I recently picked up a new trio, we'll call them Odd Tokays, and I set them up in a 18 - 18 -24 ExoTerra. There's a couple of plants, some cane to climb on, some burnt PVC to hide in, and some natural Sphagnum Peat Moss as substrate. About a week after setting them up in there new cage I noticed mold around there feces and in small patches where there were no feces. They're settling in well, nice and hydrated, and feeding fine. The new Tokays were not cheap, and I would hate for them to get sick. Any suggestions why the peat is molding, or a better substrate other than the cypress would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[cliff_f]

The substrate you are using is fine. You could have to much moisture in the substrate is why it started to mold. You dont want to keep the substrate wet all the time.

In most of my tokay cages I use a peatmoss/coco fiber/sand mix. I have been using it for years and it works really well for me.

 

[The Kamel]

Ciff,
I agree, but I've only water the plants twice. And I only mist the cage in the morning and before feeding, regardless what time of day it is. Should I just mist midday for awhile so it evaporates quicker, and stop watering the plants. At least until the substrate can dry out a little bit. ???

 

[cliff_f]

I always mist and feed at night when they are the most active. When I mist it is mainly on all the cage furniture the walls and the plants. I usually dont get the substrate very moist. How much do you mist down your substrate? I have seen feces in some of my cages start to mold before but it usually drys up pretty quick and is normally nothing to worry about.

 

[The Kamel]

The main reason I mist in the morning is because I work third shift, I try to get them done before I go to bed. I don't exactly aim for the substrate, and I'm sure your familiar with the ExoTerras. I mist the background, the side walls, I try to shoot into the PVC, and briefly on the plants. I'm thinking I could have watered my plants to much now that you mention the peat could be to wet. Once my new group settle in I'll try to get some good pictures, they're pretty unique. Thanks for the substrate suggestion, I might try that in the future.

 

[cliff_f]

I am very familiar with the Exo Terras, that is one of the main tanks I use. I have about 15 of them lol. I would like to see some pictures of the tokays when they get settled in.