Mould under water bowl

[alichamp]

Hi all. So we have a pretty standard reptile water bowl which we keep in the tank at all times, check water levels and replace water when bts throws substrate into it.

Last couple of times I've checked it, it appears to grow a furry/mouldy bit just on the bottom and the coconut substrate underneath. Obviously we replace all the substrate in that area and just clean it but I don't really get why it does that - we have a blotchy so do not have a humid enclosure. I've swept away a corner to put the bowl directly on the glass bottom instead of on substrate to see if that fixes it.

But it got me thinking. Has anyone else had this problem? For those who need to keep humid setups, how do you avoid this?

[NickBrahz]

Cant say i have ever had the issue and we have similar setups.
How long does it take for the mold to appear?
I turned my basking spots into tiles on stilts and for 2 of the bubs i keep the water dishes on there, the 3rd is to big so it stays in the corner but it's never had any mold issues.

[Susann]

Yes, this is an issue in humid tanks. I always make sure the outside of the bowl is dry as well as whatever surface the bowl goes on. Mixing up the substrate from the cool side with the drier stuff from the warm side helps too, as does having the bowl on a raised surface.

[alichamp]

Thanks Nick and Susann for your suggestions.

I added a standard ceramic floor tile up that end and we put water and food bowls on that. Between that and mixing up the substrate (great tip, I wouldn't have thought of that!), we haven't had any problems with mould.

Incidentally, we also added a floor tile under the heat for basking spot (he uses often) and one of these days will turn it into a raised platform, like you mentioned above and over here

Treasure is getting a little big new to keep hiding under his log, so I think he'll appreciate another hide option!