40 Gallon Tank Setup

[Tynan918]

Good luck bro.

Thank you.

 

[Tynan918]

This guy has a about a 40 gallon tank.

He used clay balls, some black mesh sheet, and 3 big bags of the Biodude stuff... Is the clay balls necessary with the Biodude stuff ?

 

[Ratmosphere]

Not necessary but really helps with drainage if you have plants.

 

[Tynan918]

Not necessary but really helps with drainage if you have plants.

Well I was looking at the depth requirement of substrate for adult Theraposa Blondi and it's 8 to 10".

According to AI, based on the general guideline of 1-2 pounds of substrate per gallon of water for a 1-2 inch depth, achieving 10" of substrate takes 80-100 or more pounds of substrate...

Biodude wants $43 for 18 qt (36 lbs.) bags of the Terra Aranea...I would need at least 3 bags totaling 108 lbs totaling $150 just for the substrate alone...

I'm considering another cheaper substrate and using it with either clay balls or charcoal as the drainage layer, whichever is cheaper.

The Terra Aranea is definitely out of my budget, I plan spending that much on all the enclosure supplies.

With that being said, how often do I need to empty out and replace all these enclosure supplies for cleanup, or is that what the Springtails and Isopods are for ?

 

[Tynan918]

I'm considering another cheaper substrate and using it with either clay balls or charcoal as the drainage layer, whichever is cheaper.

What other cheaper options of substrate can I use for this tarantula bedding ?

Can I use regular soil ?

 

[Tynan918]

and using it with either clay balls or charcoal as the drainage layer, whichever is cheaper.

Well LECA is cheaper than charcoal...

Is there any difference as far as quality between the two ?

 

[Ratmosphere]

You could use topsoil

 

[Tynan918]

Can I use regular soil ?

Has to be organic topsoil...

Found some for $20 for 51 qts (108 lbs.) of organic expanding soil.

 

[Tynan918]

Ok, let's talk Springtails and Isopods...

Do they clean and maintain the bioactive environment, keeping me from cleaning the enclosure, like removing everything out and replacing it ?

I'm reading that Isopods are questionable with T. Blondi, being that they breed and too many in the enclosure can overwhelm and stress the T. Blondi.

Should I buy Isopods for this enclosure and watch their count, or avoid them altogether ?

 

[Ratmosphere]

Not organic potting soil, but topsoil. Organic potting soil will not work, avoid it. Try to find a landscape supplier near you and ask if they use pesticides. You could get a lot of it for a good price.

Use springtails and not isopods.

 

[Tynan918]

Not organic potting soil, but topsoil. Organic potting soil will not work, avoid it. Try to find a landscape supplier near you and ask if they use pesticides. You could get a lot of it for a good price.

Use springtails and not isopods.

How about this coco coir block ?

 

[Ratmosphere]

As long as there are no fertilizers or additives, I'd say it's good to go.

 

[Tynan918]

Ok I'm doing some research with choosing the right substrate for this enclosure.

Turns out premium topsoil is the best budget friendly option I have and it's good to avoid mites.

Question now is should I add sphagnum peat moss and vermiculite to the topsoil ? Vermiculite is needed, but what about sphagnum moss ?

I'm also using 80 lbs of topsoil to achieve 9" of depth for burrowing for this big spider.

How much sphagnum moss and vermiculite should I add to 80 lbs of topsoil ?

 

[Tynan918]

Found this topsoil, $3 for a 40 lb bag at Home Depot.

Eco Earth is the brand I believe.

 

[Tynan918]

Ok I'm doing some research with choosing the right substrate for this enclosure.

Turns out premium topsoil is the best budget friendly option I have and it's good to avoid mites.

Question now is should I add sphagnum peat moss and vermiculite to the topsoil ?

 

[Tynan918]

Ignore the last post, it was by accident.

My next question is about the drainage mesh between the clay balls and substrate.

Does material matter ?

Asking because I need to choose between two material options... Polyester and Fiberglass.

The polyester is said to be used for pots but they only offer 10 11"x7" pieces, meaning I would have to layer and spread a few pieces to cover the clay balls.

The fiberglass option is said to be used for window screens and gives me one big piece to cut to fit one piece to cover the clay balls.

Which is the better/preferred option for a tarantula enclosure ?

 

[Tynan918]

Ok I'm doing some research with choosing the right substrate for this enclosure.

Turns out premium topsoil is the best budget friendly option I have and it's good to avoid mites.

Question now is should I add sphagnum peat moss and vermiculite to the topsoil ? Vermiculite is needed, but what about sphagnum moss ?

I'm also using 80 lbs of topsoil to achieve 9" of depth for burrowing for this big spider.

How much sphagnum moss and vermiculite should I add to 80 lbs of topsoil ?

Also for best humidity, do I mix the sphagnum moss or just add a layer on top of the substrate ?

If a layer on top, do I need to cover the entire top of the substrate ?

 

[Ratmosphere]

Fiberglass mesh works. I like to add sphagnum to the top of the substrate. Some people do add it in the substrate too though.

 

[Tynan918]

Fiberglass mesh works. I like to add sphagnum to the top of the substrate. Some people do add it in the substrate too though.

I'll go with a layer on top, mixing it seems to require more of it lol if I can find enough of it for cheap, I'll mix it in.

Is there a specific amount or ratio for laying it on top ?

 

[Tynan918]

Fiberglass mesh works. I like to add sphagnum to the top of the substrate. Some people do add it in the substrate too though.

I'll go with a layer on top, mixing it seems to require more of it lol if I can find enough of it for cheap, I'll mix it in .

Is there a specific amount or ratio for laying it on top ?