Cypress Mulch Misting/Soaking Help?

cwj108 · Valued Member Joined: Mar 18, 2008 Posts: 104

I use cypress mulch for my tegu but I have humidity problems. I started misting my mulch but the top portion was always dry in no time and my humidity was always down. After that, someone told me to take a cup and just spread water into the mulch because it will go a little deeper. Since I have been doing this, the top layer still gets dry but underneath stays nice and wet and my humidity has gone up 10%. ANother plus is that when my tegu burrows into the soaked mulch, it really helps her shed.

Here is my problem... I heard somewhere that soaking your substrate can cause mold?! Ever since I heard that I have been concerned because the last thing I want is mold growing? On the flip side I read that cypress mulch is good at retaining moisture like that.

Does anyone know if what I am doing is ok or if my mulch underneath will mold in time? Thanks Guys!

Shenanigans · Posted: Sat Apr 12, 2008 7:51 am Post subject:

It could get moldy if you leave the water in there for too long. You would probably want to change up the water every other day or every third day. I also heard that when your spraying your enclosure you should turn up the mulch with like a cat pooper scooper while your spraying so all of it gets nice and moist throughout.

meanah · Posted: Sat Apr 12, 2008 9:31 am Post subject:

i do that in my cage every other day. spray a ton of water in there and mix all the substrate up. i have it at about 70% at all times.
_________________
0.1.0 Colombian Tegu
1.0.0 Arg. Tegu
0.1.4 Bearded Dragon
0.1.0 Royal Python
1.0.0 Crested Gecko
0.0.1 Kingsnake
0.0.1 Painted Turtle
0.1.1 Spotted Pythons
1.2.0 Tokay Geckos
2.3.0 Leopard Geckos

txrepgirl · Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2008 12:48 am Post subject:

On Monday I spray down the entire mulch and stir it up with one of those small metal gardening rakes.When he was just a hatchling and he was in a small enclosure 20 gallon I used the pooper scooper but since he is in a 55 gallon the mulch got to heavy for that plastic pooper scooper.Tuesdays I just stir it up.Wednesday I just spray the top.Than I start all over again.Yes,if you leave the mulch sitting in there with out stirring it up it can get moldy.Mulch should never be wet it should be moist to the touch.Hope that helps.

Warner · Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 11:35 am Post subject:

If I'm not mistaken, that's one of the good things about cypress is that it doesn't easily mold. Cypress trees basically live in standing water. Each time I've changed out my substrate, I find the bottom layer is essentially soaking wet. I've never seen any indication of mold and it DOES give the tegu a chance to burrow into something moist. They know what they need and I've never had a shedding problem of any kind with my boy.

Hope this helps,

Warner

cwj108 · Valued Member Joined: Mar 18, 2008 Posts: 104

Thanks for the help guys! You guys are always a big help to this new tegu owner

meanah · Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 8:08 pm Post subject:

not a problem. and i bet i speak for everyone when i say we are all here to help each other.
_________________
0.1.0 Colombian Tegu
1.0.0 Arg. Tegu
0.1.4 Bearded Dragon
0.1.0 Royal Python
1.0.0 Crested Gecko
0.0.1 Kingsnake
0.0.1 Painted Turtle
0.1.1 Spotted Pythons
1.2.0 Tokay Geckos
2.3.0 Leopard Geckos

txrepgirl · Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2008 11:08 pm Post subject:

Your welcome.We are glad that we could help.