Moldy Foam

I just bought a hundred count humi and it has been condition to 70% rh. I was going to use it for my nc storage. I also have a 50 count that is condtioned to 65% for my other smokes. I did get some silca beads and was in the process of conditioning them to 65% rh. I was 11 days in the process this weekend when I noticed a white substance on the foam in the new 100 count. I have always used distilled water, and the white on the foam was not scally but web looking, mold to me. Anyway I took out the foam and used the beads. Is it to early to use the beads? I did a search, and it look s like I did everything I could, but did I miss anything?

I did this late last night, when I checked this morning it was 63%rh in both humis. I did take all the cigars out and left the humis open to check and rearrange the smokes. I have digital hygrometers in both.

Thanks
Rich

Sounds like you did the right thing. I put rh beads in both, my humidor and tupperdor, right after seasoning them and have had no problems. So I don't see why you shouldn't be using beads now. I never used the foam sponge because of all the reading I did on how prone they are to mold growth. I would wipe down the humi that had mold on it and air it out before putting cigars back in it. And I assume that you checked the sticks in that humi for mold.

The first thing I did when I bought my first humi was take the foam out and replaced it with beads. I have since gone to Heartfelt beads and have been very happy with them. It's amazing how much you learn by just lurking around.

I did the same thing as Taz. after using foam for 6 months in my first Cigar Oasis, I was pretty disappointed with the effectiveness of the foam. My first order from Heartfelt included a Hydra humidifier and I ripped the foam out in both my electronic humidifiers and replaced them all with beads. Been a happy camper ever since.