Learning before owning up in New England

[Adnama.mew]

Hey there! I'm Amanda and I'm just getting started and have been doing some research for the past few weeks but my father who also owns quite a few Ts recommended I join a forum, so here I am.

I've been looking into getting either a Mexican Redknee Mexican Fireleg or a Pink Toe, although I'm leaning towards the brachypelmas since they're terrestrial and I think we would see it more often.

I really like Jamie's Tarantula enclosures which also come with some coco-fiber substrate, but I was wondering if you guys had any preferred cages and what you use for ground cover. Also any recommendations on a heating pad? I know it can get pretty chilly in my house sometimes and I don't want to risk anything getting too cold in there.

 

[HungryGhost]

Welcome! I would go with the bracypelma over the avic as a first t. Jamie is good people, her enclosures are excellent and the coco substrate is what I use. What size tarantula and enclosure are you looking at?

 

[Adnama.mew]

That's where I'm stuck right now.

Jaime doesn't have the fireleg or the redknee right now, but on her site she has sales going on to make room for a "2015 Brachypelma species breeding program". I have a message into them on Facebook to see what species they're looking into and when they think they'd be available, but I haven't hear back yet. Otherwise Ken the Bug Guy has redknees available for $25 but they're unsexed since they're only 1/4 in.

So if I can't wait (I am rather excited) and go with Ken I'll probably just get Jamie's Terrestrial Juvenile Enclosure Kit (4x4x5) and then get the larger one (8x14x8) later on.

 

[noahdamngood]

Hello, depending on what part of New England you're in Jabberwock reptiles has a couple B smithi's in stock. jabberwockreptiles.com

 

[Denny Dee]

Hey there! I'm Amanda and I'm just getting started and have been doing some research for the past few weeks but my father who also owns quite a few Ts recommended I join a forum, so here I am.

I've been looking into getting either a Mexican Redknee Mexican Fireleg or a Pink Toe, although I'm leaning towards the brachypelmas since they're terrestrial and I think we would see it more often.

I really like Jamie's Tarantula enclosures which also come with some coco-fiber substrate, but I was wondering if you guys had any preferred cages and what you use for ground cover. Also any recommendations on a heating pad? I know it can get pretty chilly in my house sometimes and I don't want to risk anything getting too cold in there.

I like Jamie's enclosures for slings. I use both the small and the medium. They have the BEST moss too. I also like your choice of the B. smithi. Although a bit pricey, they are hardy and easy to take care of.

If you go with the arboreal, check out: http://www.net-bug.net/apps/webstore/products/show/3284022

Similar style as Jamie's but taller. Good luck!

 

[MatthewM1]

Deli cups are my enclosure of choice for slings. You can adjust where and how much ventilation to add. Plenty of floor space for a small terrestrial im a 16oz and plenty of height for arboreals and fossorils in the 32oz.

 

[Adnama.mew]

I'm actually in Bellingham, noahdamngood, so while Jabberwock is still an hour away, it looks like Winchester is not so far that I wouldn't make the trip. Especially since I'm thinking leaning more and more to the "I cannot wait" side of things
So with that in mind, would Jaime's juvenile enclosure (4x4x5) be a good size for a 2.5 in b. smithi? or should I just move right up to the adult size (8x14x8)?
Also anyone have any experience with heating pads? I know winter is "over" but living up here it's still quite cold and my house is older and has a bit of a draft. Recommendations would be greatly appreciated, I've been looking at Zoo Med ReptiTherm® Under Tank Heater. Small according to some of the reviews I may need to raise the enclosure a bit over it and possibly get a dimmer to better control the temperature.

And thank you all for you responses this is great!

 

[noahdamngood]

I would go with the larger enclosure, otherwise, you might need to re-home after the next molt. As for heating pads, don't place them directly against the enclosure.