New Juvie T Stirmi Enclosure

[jasperbagley]

Hey all, I'm getting a T.Stirmi on Fri. I Just finished its enclosure, and just thought I'd get an opinion. I've had one before, and I just want to make sure everything looks good. Any tips? It is about 2in. Spider. I know they grow fast. All the mosses were disinfected and rinsed thoroughly in hot and cold water. The sticks are to hold the burrow in until she arrives.
Can't Wait!!!

 

[menavodi]

From what I can see it looks good. Not sure if I see water crystals. Don’t use them. Have fun with your new arrival.

 

[jasperbagley]

@menavodi I never use them. Where di you see them? It may be little slate or rock pieces

 

[menavodi]

@menavodi I never use them. Where di you see them? It may be little slate or rock pieces

I thought it might be crystals but was not sure

 

[jasperbagley]

@menavodi its just an acorn top with a thin glossy layer of silicon in it.

 

[Arachnoclown]

Anything slate or rock in a stirmis enclosure is not good. These are heavy spiders and they often drag their heavy abdomens around on the ground. This can cause a future drag injury. Think soft when you work with stirmis. They come from a rain forest that is basically wet soft leaves and moss...no rocks.

 

[jasperbagley]

Anything slate or rock in a stirmis enclosure is not good. These are heavy spiders and they often drag their heavy abdomens around on the ground. This can cause a future drag injury. Think soft when you work with stirmis. They come from a rain forest that is basically wet soft leaves and moss...no rocks. View attachment 45464

Even if their grounded up into small rocks or powder?

 

[jasperbagley]

@Arachnoclown I made sure that they are blunt-edged, and some are grounded up in a powder. Is this still a hazard?

 

[Arachnoclown]

Even if their grounded up into small rocks or powder?

That would be worse...slate ground down can be very sharp. Dragging this in their booklungs could be fatal. Rocks are not in their natural habit.

 

[jasperbagley]

That would be worse...slate ground down can be very sharp. Dragging this in their booklungs could be fatal. Rocks are not in their natural habit.

Ok. I'll take them out then

 

[Arachnoclown]

Even as a powder...fine particles may be sharp.

 

[jasperbagley]

@Arachnoclown Ill take them out. I'm using a peat blend substrate as well. It has little light pearlite bits in it. Is that ok?

 

[Arachnoclown]

If your going for a decor look I would use a round smooth drain rock. I dont use perlite at all...I use vermiculite instead. Maybe @Phil Has???

 

[Arachnoclown]

From what I've read is perlite is glass...heres one discussion on it.

ATSHQ: American Tarantula & Animals

ATSHQ: American Tarantula & Animals. Helping You Find What American Animals Like To Eat Most! Tarantula Spiders Wild Animals Pets Diet Pests Guides

atshq.org

 

[jasperbagley]

Dang. I'll need to go out and grab some peat then I guess

 

[jasperbagley]

@Arachnoclown I spent soo much time on the enclosure dang. Ok Thanks man

 

[Arachnoclown]

@Arachnoclown I spent soo much time on the enclosure dang. Ok Thanks man

At least your doing your homework.

Heres another discussion on it

Is vermiculite safe?

Hi all, I've been keeping tarantulas for a few years and recently changed my choice of substrate due to the shop I get it from no longer stocking what I used to get. I use pro-rep eco earth now and have realised it has a very small amount of what seems to be vermiculite mixed in. Many people...

www.tarantulaforum.com

 

[jasperbagley]

@Arachnoclown Hey man, Really appreciate it again.

 

[jasperbagley]

@Arachnoclown better doing it now, and not when I get it, and find out, or Its too late

 

[Phil]

If your going for a decor look I would use a round smooth drain rock. I dont use perlite at all...I use vermiculite instead. Maybe @Phil Has???

never used perlite either. Used vermiculite previously (about 15 to 20 years ago thats all that was ever used for the full substrate not just a mix). I have all my Ts on coco fibre now. It seems to retain moisture well enough where needed. All 3 of my theraphosa species are on it.