Mold on Cage?

[andre_24]

Hey everyone,
there’s been some white looking stuff appearing on the bottom of my chameleon’s cage. I was wondering if it was mold or what exactly it was and what ways you guys recommend I get rid of it. I’ve tried vinegar and it works for a bit but it comes right back and not sure if bleach is safe to use while Moe (Chameleon) is in the enclosure..
anything is appreciated, thanks!

 

[Eileen]

Hey everyone,
there’s been some white looking stuff appearing on the bottom of my chameleon’s cage. I was wondering if it was mold or what exactly it was and what ways you guys recommend I get rid of it. I’ve tried vinegar and it works for a bit but it comes right back and not sure if bleach is safe to use while Moe (Chameleon) is in the enclosure..
anything is appreciated, thanks!

not sure if I have the answer but I do have a question.. what kind of water do you use?

 

[nightanole]

That looks like calcium/mineral deposits from a sprayer.

 

[Eileen]

That looks like calcium/mineral deposits from a sprayer.

that's why I asked what kind of water is being used.. I thought the same thing.

 

[andre_24]

not sure if I have the answer but I do have a question.. what kind of water do you use?

I use tap water should I be using reverse osmosis or what do you recommend?

 

[andre_24]

That looks like calcium/mineral deposits from a sprayer.

What do you recommend I do? Would it be harmful to just leave it as is?

 

[Eileen]

I use tap water should I be using reverse osmosis or what do you recommend?

is the water going through a mister? or fogger? I don't think it hurts the chameleon.. I could be wrong so someone might correct that, but tap water isn't good for your fixtures.. it can leave a buildup of minerals and calcium that will ruin little parts in a fogging or misting system, plus it leaves that film on the screen and plants.
There was a thread on here a while back where they were talking about Zero water filters. I bit the bullet and bought one. Now I know it's kind of expensive depending in how bad your water is, but that's what I've been using and I never have any icky white build up on anything anymore. Our tap water is really bad so I go through a filter every 2 weeks. I use it in my MistKing misting system, the dripper, and my night time fogger.. but we use it for our drinking water too.

 

[nightanole]

What do you recommend I do? Would it be harmful to just leave it as is?

There is nothing wrong with using tap or unsoftened water. But if you have live plants, well they are also going to get covered with the calcium over time. That is not fun to get off (some masochists hand wipe each leaf). And it will destroy your misting nozzles and humidifier if you dont keep up the CLR cleaning.

But only a reverse osmosis, home distiller, softener, will get rid of the calcium.

A cheap alternative if its in your area, go slumming it at the industrial parks or the places where the mobile car washers hang out. You can get HUGE amounts of DI "spotless rinse" water for only a few pennies per gallon. Some of the car washes around here literally have it on tap for filling those 250-275 gallon IBC tanks for less than a 20 spot.

 

[Eileen]

oh! I never knew this about the car wash water. I might check this out. Thanks!

 

[nightanole]

oh! I never knew this about the car wash water. I might check this out. Thanks!

https://www.tiktok.com/discover/where-to-fill-up-detail-water-tank