Need help with the set up of my terrarium (got mold)

[Beginner]

Hi everyone,

I am hoping to get some questions answered that I don't seem to get the answers to by talking to people where I live. I am about to take home a K. boehmei but I seem to have some issues with my terrarium.

1.
I bought coco husk because I was recommended that. I got mold within 4 days (!). So I wonder if I can put the coco husk as a substrate but to put it in dry and not soak it first. Then spray it with water twice a day. Will that keep the humidity around 70-75 degrees? It was up to 80-90 degrees with it soaked...

2.
I was also recommended to keep springtails in the substrate to eat organic matter. But I was told the terrarium works without springtails. But how often do you have to change/clean the terrarium without springtails? Does anyone use them in the substrate? Can they live in the coco husk even if the husk is not soaked but dry?

My terrarium is 45x45x60 cm (Exo Terra)

 

[MissMaisie]

You don't need any substrate at all it makes it a pain to clean and it will constantly be wet with all the misting. Chameleons can also risk eating it if they try to shoot at feeders sitting on the bottom. I have a few potted plants, with the soil covered with rocks, that soak up some of my water from mistings. A lot of people have a drainage system as well for it. I don't know how big springtails are but I'd assume the chameleon would just eat them?

 

[Lathis]

This will get you going in the right direction:
https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/chameleons/

Lots of solid and trustworthy information in the resources there.

 

[Banksy]

Is the ExoTerra an all glass enclosure? If so, that does help with humidity, but it isn't ideal for Chams. You want airflow for your Cham and also to assist drying out the enclosure between mistings to prevent mold and bacteria.

As for your substrate, none is needed. If you want to increase your humidity you can use live plants that will help with that: Pothos are a very durable plant that's Cham safe. I know it might not be an option, but you might want to look into a mesh enclosure like a DragonStrand, Reptibreeze, etc if yours is glass.