Spore: Mould problem (4. Jun 2008 17:23)

As some of you may or may not know, i have an issue with mould. This is because nearly every single last one of my ant homes has it!!!

The soil nests have mould (i think) because i didn't 'Cook' the soil to remove all the fungus.

These arn't the best pics in the world, but at least it gives you an idea of the extent of the Fungi in (and on) my Tanks. So if anyone has any sugestions about how to remove it please tell me how.

miszt: (4. Jun 2008 17:36)

That doesnt look like mould on the Ytong, i think its probably just mineral deposits that are coming out because of the water, dont worry about it :)

Mouldy bits in the basin you should remove, also remeber to remove any food not eaten 24hrs after puttin it in there

In the farm, is it the green and brown splodges that are the mould, hard to tell from the pic, did you cook the sand before puttin it in? always a good idea to put it in the oven @ 200C for half an hour before puttin it in the farm. Looks like you need more ventilation in the farm and less moisture, if you are careful, remove the lid of the farm, get an old t-shirt, and strech a piece of it over the top of the farm and fasten it down very tight with elastic bands, leave it for a few days to a week and it should clear up (make sure theres no gaps for the ants to get out of!)....of course this is only good for species that wont chew thru the t-shirt, what species is it?

Spore: (4. Jun 2008 17:40)

The mould in the pic is green with brown splodges. :cry:

I did not cook the sand. :cry:

The ants in the farm are Messor Barbarus. :cry:

The ants in the basin are Camponotus Ligniperda :cry:

ashhad1: (4. Jun 2008 20:03)

ah both species can or will chew through cloth (t-shirt),
maybe u can put like 2 t-shirts instead of 1 in that method miszt described

Spore: (5. Jun 2008 07:30)

That might be a good idea. i will give it a go tonight and see of the ants will escape in the following weeks.

Thanks all! :D

Martin S.: (5. Jun 2008 07:50)

Hi Spore,

sorry my english is not so good, but i think in your farm is a algae.
algae like a wet place and lots of sun.
Is it a algae, ist it normal not dangerous for the ants.
put your formicarium not in the near of your windows and make it a little bit dry.

greetings from Berlin

Spore: (5. Jun 2008 16:05)

Ok, I will do what you advised. Thanks for the info. :)

JimmyVe: (5. Jun 2008 21:59)

My idea also, less indirect light and more ventilation. ;)

badman: (5. Jun 2008 23:38)

If it is algae like Martin says, it will grow in sunlight,

If it is mould it will grow in darkness.

Both of them like moisture though

miszt: (6. Jun 2008 00:01)

Messor do not require allot of moisture at all, infact there nest can dry out quite a bit before it becomes a problem, as long as they have a fresh water supply somewhere else for them :)