White film on top of soil?

[jadeaudio]

I recently resoiled my plants because I got white mold looking stuff on the top of the soil. I thought it wasn't draining well so I put rocks on the bottom and it drains better now, but only after a few days the white stuff came back. I have a mistking and 5 cages. I have to fill up my 5 gallon bucket every two days so I do use a lot of water. I have the mister setup for 2 minutes intervals every 3 hours for about 4 shots a day. I don't know what else to do or if this is even mold. Everything dries up fast. The leaves are totally dry on the plants before the mister comes back on. Any ideas what it could be?

 

[ciafardo 4]

I believe it's called mold

 

[ciafardo 4]

Actually it could be hard water deposit like lime or calcium carbonate.

 

[jadeaudio]

I hope it is from hard water because how can mold build up that fast?

 

[dragongoddess]

If you also have little black gnats, it's definitely mold.

 

[writh]

Im thinking calcium deposits too..

 

[Pure]

I've read over on Pangia where live vivarium keepers have had this issue. It's just a form of mold. I'm pretty sure it's harmless. They say just turning your soil keeps it down to a minimum.

Perhaps fling a PM to someone keeping a live viv. I know syn does or has.

 

[jadeaudio]

What do you guys use for plants? I just bought an organic soil. Do you guys mix it with something to drain better? I don't want to have to worry about mold build up.