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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Thistles" data-source="post: 59016" data-attributes="member: 3949">I use plain peat without issue. There are likely to be small colonies of mites living in any enclosure, but they cause no issues provided their numbers remain low. They are often introduced on feeders, so even if your substrate is sterile to begin with it won't stay sterile for long. If you are especially concerned about mites you could introduce isopods to eat any detritus left by the tarantula. This should out-compete mites. I just keep my enclosures dry if the spiders will tolerate it. For the moisture-dependent ones I keep them clean and have had no issues, but for the large ones I have added some isopods.There's no harm in experimenting, so please don't feel picked on. I approve of figuring out what works best through experimentation and not being afraid to push boundaries. That said, check into things first. [USER=4199]@kormath[/USER]'s brief research seems to indicate that this is a very bad idea.As others have said, the tarantulas you have don't require moist substrate. That alone will prevent mites and mold.If you decide to continue using salt, be aware that it will not evaporate. Just adding new water after your initial addition of saline will redissolve the salts. If you continue to add saline you will just increase the salinity of your substrate with every addition. It is the same for fish, so perhaps you already knew that. I have the same salt on hand, but I just use it for my bettas.</blockquote>

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