Substrate?

[KWISE89]

What are people's thoughts on the best substrate mix? I have B. Boehmei and B Vagans slings. Looking for the best option to hold up for burrowing yet not to humid in the enclosure. Thanks!

 

[Enn49]

I use just coco fibre for all my Ts and it seems to work well even for burrowers.

 

[KWISE89]

Do you spray it down at all or just pack it in there?

 

[Enn49]

For arid lovers I just pack it down a little and leave it to the T to make its home. Even the tiniest sling will web the substrate to prevent any danger of burrow collapse.

 

[KWISE89]

Sounds good, thanks for the advice!

 

[MassExodus]

You can also use excavator clay/sand/coco fiber mix. Its fantastic for any burrowing spider or reptile. And it looks and feels much better than straight coco fiber.

 

[Tortoise Tom]

I use just coco fibre for all my Ts and it seems to work well even for burrowers.

Me too.

It always starts out at least a little damp when I first rehydrate a compressed block. For small slings I leave it and keep it a little bit damp for all species. For older Brachypelma, I let it mostly dry out and just overflow the water bowl a little bit from time to time, a trick I learned here in just the last few months.

 

[KWISE89]

I already rehoused the Brachypelmas but when it is time again I am going to try the excavator/sand/cocofiber mix. They seem to be doing great in the current coco fiber so far though.

 

[Nunua]

I'm also using just coco fibre for all my Ts and here are two examples of burrowing Brachypelma slings. They're doing absolutely perfect.
B. albopilosum - You can actually see the grayish web around the holes. Walls of the burrow are the same.

B. auratum - Sorry for the horrible quality, but the burrow goes right above the holes.

 

[FrmDaLeftCoast]

I'm a newbie...so don't judge me! lol

I've been working on a substrate for my slings and came up with the following mix -

Coco Pith (coir pith) - 55%
Sphagnum Peat Moss - 20%
Aged Bark Fines - 25%

Should I also add a bit of sand?

 

[Enn49]

My little Hysterocrates sp Hercules has built burrows down to the bottom of the container with a tunnel right round the bottom and one through the middle that you can see right through leaving just 2 pillars of substrate and web to hold everything up. Somewhere in there, there is a 2" piece of plant and a small chunk of cork bark.

 

[KWISE89]

Ok new question. I think there is mold beginning in one of my sling enclosures. Hapalopus sp. columbia has been dug in for about 2 weeks so I'm thinking premolt. Do I address the mold or let the molt run it's course?

 

[MassExodus]

Ok new question. I think there is mold beginning in one of my sling enclosures. Hapalopus sp. columbia has been dug in for about 2 weeks so I'm thinking premolt. Do I address the mold or let the molt run it's course?

Let it molt. Mold, like mites, is only a problem when left unchecked. Never mess with a webbed up, closed off spider unless absolutely neccesary. You'll do more harm than good.

 

[KWISE89]

That's what I was hoping for. Sounds good everyone, thanks for all the info! I'll post a pic of the little one once it has molted.