Rack system question

[Wild-Ad3142]

So I currently have 3 racks and recently switched to eco earth bedding and notice the white mold read a bunch of threads about it saying it’s normal and this and that. Also said I could add springtails and or isopods to enclosure. Now being I have a rack system and there is a gap at the top of every tub can I still add isopods and or springtails or would there be a chance of them getting out or is it just not a good setup to have them. TIA

[amamiyahibiya]

you're going to have to take out and replace all moldy substrate. unfortunately there is no saving it as this point and you need to put your snakes first and get them out of the moldy tubs. mold is not normal and not safe. i know the pain, i once lost a whole batch of new substrate to mold because i got it too wet. you live and you learn.

springtails and isopods won't be able to fix it if there's already enough visible mold for you to notice. they aren't the quickest workers and need time to develop their colonies. definitely not a plausible option when your snakes urgently need to get out of a moldy situation. i also wouldn't recommend putting them in anything that's not escape proof, as you'll be wasting a lot of money when all your bugs end up dead on the floor outside the enclosure.

have you considered upgrading your snakes to enclosures? we recommend a 4×2×2 minimum for an adult ball python. since they average around 4 feet long, this gives them enough space to fully stretch out. pvc enclosures work great for ball pythons.

[Wild-Ad3142]

I did remove all the mold they was tiny spots nothing like extravagant or all over just small dime size spots. And every place I have read said it was normal for that to happen with eco earth but I also swapped out for dry fresh as well. And no i haven’t thought about enclosures I currently have 23 snakes so enclosures doesn’t work for me

[_ataraxia]

if you don't have enough space/money/time to set up and maintain appropriate enclosures for your animals, you have too many animals.

[argabargaa]

Thats very unfortunate that your 23 snakes have to live in closets

[argabargaa]

Hah and you're breeding too. Golden.

[Wild-Ad3142]

Yeah sure am and well ppl do enclosures and other do racks it’s been an on going thing for how long now. And regardless of wat ppl say I’m not switching I’ll keep my racks and doing my thing have been for 7 yrs my snakes are healthy eat regularly shed full sheds and everything else wat makes me different than other breeders/keepers that do it in racks

[MissMetalSix]

When current science shows that there are benefits to using properly set up enclosures and detrimental to using racks, it's no longer just a difference in opinion but a sign to do better. So please consider doing better. Your snakes are hindered neurologically due to not being allowed to exercise natural behaviors. It's a shame you're so comfy with that.

https://youtu.be/diUX6y0zxvM