Avic enclosure

jharr · Feb 21, 2009

Okay, so I finally found the clear acrylic display cubes at Michael's. So here is what I am doing to them in order to make them into enclosures for my A. versicolor slings.
Step one: scribe a circle on one side (not really necessary, but I got it in my head that I wanted circular vents.
Step two: mark off a 1cm grid inside the circle (or just make a square one, say 5x5)
Step three: using a dremmel with a drill bit, drill out the holes and then remove all of the excess plastic.

Step four: scribe out a triangle on the lid making sure to go around the little injection-molder circle in the center (this will be used later). Also make another 1cm grid for vent holes everywhere outside of your triangle.
Step five: drill out the holes in the grid and cut out the triangle using a small cut-off disc.

Step six: cut a triangle from 1/8" acrylic sheet that is a little bit bigger than your triangle hole in the lid. Make sure that it is a full triangle and it covers the center 'circle'.
Next I am going to get some teflon nut/bolts. I will post again when I have these and am ready to finish these off.

Protectyaaaneck · Feb 21, 2009

I'm confused, what's with the triangle?

Skullptor · Feb 21, 2009

Is that for a feeder hole?

Protectyaaaneck · Feb 21, 2009

Skullptor said:
Is that for a feeder hole?

I thought thats what the lid was for...

jharr · Feb 21, 2009

Yes, it's a feeding hole. I have noticed that my avics usually web up the lid to their current enclosures. So when I open them (flip top) it tears up the web and they scurry down to the bottom. Not a huge deal, but I thought that a little sliding door would be less disruptive. Just trying to engineer something better than what I have.

Skullptor said:
Is that for a feeder hole?

Skullptor · Feb 21, 2009

In that case it's just fine. I have some T's that web up to the lid and when I open it it does pull the webbing a bit. I think it's ok but if you don't like it your design will help eliminate it. Good job!

Protectyaaaneck · Feb 21, 2009

I understand what your trying to do, but I think it would be more effective if you put the triangle thing on the side of the enclosure, then you can pretty much ensure you won't disrupt the T's webbing.

It's a good idea though, I have thought alot about how to do the same as well. I usually just move the lid ever so slightly so I can barely get the cricket in. The webbing often bends and flexes but doesnt fall apart when I do this. If there are any inconsistencies in the webbing the T usually patches it up in no time.

Another way to avoid this is to flip the enclosure the other way, so that the top becomes the bottom and the bottom becomes the top. Than that way you can feed the cricket through the bottom rather than the top where the T usually resides. I use this method diferently with diferent sp. With pokies and avics I usually turn it over to make the top the bottom, and then with my taps and psalmo's they get it the normal way because they tend to burrow rather than climb up when spooked.

IrishPolishman · Feb 21, 2009

I own a few Avics and the webs at the top aren't a real problem. I just barely lift the lid and toss in a chilled cricket. The webs are pretty flexible and aren't destroyed at all. Anyways..you have to take the lid off to pick up cricket debris and other such things to avoid mold and undesired things.

jharr · Feb 21, 2009

This is all great feedback. I figured people had done all of this before, but I am a 'learn from my own mistakes' kind of person, unfortunately. The lids are not deep enough to flip the whole thing unless I go without substrate. It probably doesn't really matter but is feeding from the top any different than feeding from the bottom? I know that at night, my avics are always sitting right on top. I figured that is because they are waiting to ambush from there. Of course as soon as I open the lid to feed they are gone, hence the feed hole.

Thanks again,
J--

Protectyaaaneck said:
I understand what your trying to do, but I think it would be more effective if you put the triangle thing on the side of the enclosure, then you can pretty much ensure you won't disrupt the T's webbing.

It's a good idea though, I have thought alot about how to do the same as well. I usually just move the lid ever so slightly so I can barely get the cricket in. The webbing often bends and flexes but doesnt fall apart when I do this. If there are any inconsistencies in the webbing the T usually patches it up in no time.

Another way to avoid this is to flip the enclosure the other way, so that the top becomes the bottom and the bottom becomes the top. Than that way you can feed the cricket through the bottom rather than the top where the T usually resides. I use this method diferently with diferent sp. With pokies and avics I usually turn it over to make the top the bottom, and then with my taps and psalmo's they get it the normal way because they tend to burrow rather than climb up when spooked.

kaydyn1512 · Feb 21, 2009

Plastic containers from Michael's

It look like those are the smallest containers you get from Michael's? I have 8 Avics of all different sizes and I actually start them in the 4 x 2 1/4x 2 1/4. That 4" high includes the 1 1/2" lid. Those are actually perfect for the 1"-2" Avics that like to web at the top. Then I move up from that as they grow. I have no problem with the webbing at all. There is enough room for them to web and for me to open the container without ripping the web. I actually put a hinge on the lids and when I flip them the T's stay nice and cozy while I do what I have to do. I think because I hold mine almost on a daily bases they don't really run away to much. I hope that made sense. If not I can give you a visual. Let me know.

JDeRosa · Feb 21, 2009

Here is a very useful link from another forum. But if you want circular vents why not just go to get a big circular woodboring drill (maybe 1 in. or 1.5 inch diameter) that's what I use. Then I glue a metal screen from the window screen isle over it.

http://arachnophiles.myfreeforum.org/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=2456

codykrr · Feb 22, 2009

man i say thats an awsome idea. i use these exclusivly for all my slings....i did how ever make a mistake last ones i did....well not a mistake...ok i got a p. irminia and a regialis and i used the taller ones with the biggerlid. well i put the lid part on the bottom for the irminia, and i forgot they like to burrow so now every time its feeding time, i have to destroy her web that leads to the burrow behind the cork bark slab i glued to the top section....so...im going to change it next time i can...but sucks because its so nice looking...(pics at my link) too bad us U.S. hobbiest dont have access to the european tanks! they have everything for arboreals we dont.....there tanks come in alot better sizes and shapes than ours..look em up

kaydyn1512 · Feb 22, 2009

Yeah, I saw a picture of that enclosure. I used the larger one for my P irminia as well BUT I put the top at the top..lol I actually loved how yours looked but it didn't seem practical only because it would allow their food more of an ability to escape when you opened it. I thought it was really clever gluing the bark to the top. Anyway, I also put a piece of drift wood that was just tall enough to come to the top of the bottom part of the container. I made sure there was a gap between the back of the container and the driftwood, hoping she would make a home in the area. It worked perfectly. I can open the top and look right down her REALLY COOL tube web she made. She doesn't get bothered when I open the enclosure and she made me a perfect funnel to feed her.

jharr · Feb 22, 2009

I have done that with softer plastics, but this stuff is so thin and brittle, I am afraid it would just crack and break. I like that idea though and was looking for appropriately sized grommets just to give it a cleaner look, but could not find any.

JDeRosa said:
Here is a very useful link from another forum. But if you want circular vents why not just go to get a big circular woodboring drill (maybe 1 in. or 1.5 inch diameter) that's what I use. Then I glue a metal screen from the window screen isle over it.

http://arachnophiles.myfreeforum.org/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=2456

codykrr · Feb 22, 2009

kaydyn1512 said:
Yeah, I saw a picture of that enclosure. I used the larger one for my P irminia as well BUT I put the top at the top..lol I actually loved how yours looked but it didn't seem practical only because it would allow their food more of an ability to escape when you opened it. I thought it was really clever gluing the bark to the top. Anyway, I also put a piece of drift wood that was just tall enough to come to the top of the bottom part of the container. I made sure there was a gap between the back of the container and the driftwood, hoping she would make a home in the area. It worked perfectly. I can open the top and look right down her REALLY COOL tube web she made. She doesn't get bothered when I open the enclosure and she made me a perfect funnel to feed her.

hahha....yeah.....you got lucky...and thanks for the compliment....yeah had i not forgot this species is a burrower as a sling it would have been flawless...i have used the upside down lid for all my avic slings with great success(they webbed up top) so i just kinda did it again...though i will be fixing the p. irminia enclosure soon...because i hate tearing up a web from any T. and also...to get good holes in these brittle plastic cubes...use slow low pressure and it works great....also i forgot to add that i use b. dubia roches so when i have the taller aboreal cubes upside down they dont escape...and i crush there heads too,

kaydyn1512 · Feb 22, 2009

codykrr said:
hahha....yeah.....you got lucky...and thanks for the compliment....yeah had i not forgot this species is a burrower as a sling it would have been flawless...i have used the upside down lid for all my avic slings with great success(they webbed up top) so i just kinda did it again...though i will be fixing the p. irminia enclosure soon...because i hate tearing up a web from any T. and also...to get good holes in these brittle plastic cubes...use slow low pressure and it works great....also i forgot to add that i use b. dubia roches so when i have the taller aboreal cubes upside down they dont escape...and i crush there heads too,

Yeah, I wish I had the patience to "drill" the hole instead of using the soldering gun. It is so much cleaner. Although I "may have" found a solution to the look of the soldered holes (I just got some eyelets that should go directly in the holes but we'll see)

And I am sooo aware of how lucky I am that my P irminia webbed were I wanted her too. T's are not notorious for doing what they are told..

So you said "this species is a burrower as a sling" are you saying they don't when they are adults??? I thought it was weird when I got her and had understood her to be arboreal, that she burrowed in her original container. Do they act more like Avics when they mature?

I really do like the look of your containers. I think if I didn't hold my babies usually everyday that would be perfect but I would think it would be more difficult to get to them, right?

codykrr · Feb 22, 2009

yeah there harder to get to....but i dont handle unless im doing a entire enclosure change. also this species will go arboreal once there juvies(3 inches or so) but they still tend to carry dirt and place it all over their webbing, thats just my experience with them...my old female died of old age about 2 years ago....and trust me you dont want to hold these things(pretty bitey) and fast too....but gorgeous by all means.....also if you go to wal mart they sell a really crappy black and decker drill that runs on 4 AA batteries and is very very slow....it comes with a bit thats 1/4 inch which is perfect for sings bigger than a 1/2 inch....anything under i use 1/8 inch....with a screen to cover the hole(s) i personally dont like burningholes because imo it looks tacky.....and saying a p. irminia is like an avic wouldnt be a good comparison...mainly because avics are usually pretty docile and dont carry dirt to the uppers of ther tube web....were as the irminia is very fast, can be very bitey, and cloaks their webs with dirt

kaydyn1512 · Feb 22, 2009

I knew when I said "like an Avic" I should have clarified what I meant. I only meant do the P irminia web higher in the enclosures as they get older more like the Avics do. I know not to handle my irminia. She's just beautiful to look at. I was more talking about my Avics. I have already had an experience with Nike (my P irminia) shortly after she last molted. I stupidly went in to check on her and she ran up my arm, down my back, back around my chest and hoped onto my desk. I tried to catch her and just as she was running by I put my hand down and her right front leg came off. I FELT HORRIBLE. Sat there and cried for 10 minutes. SOOO needless to say, holding her is not an option.

Anyway, her next molt she will probably be around 3" plus so I think I'll be changing her over to a 2.5gl tank I think. That's what I have my A versi in right now and she is about 3 1/2".

codykrr · Feb 22, 2009

awsome...and sorry to hear about the leg thing...also on my pic link is my 2.5 gallon tanks for my versicolor and avicularia avicularia....i did some customizing you can check em out...it may be a couple pages back though....i you like the designe pm me and ill tell you or any one how to do it cheap and simply

jharr · Feb 28, 2009

So, I finished the lid with the feeding hatch that rotates to open. The knob on top loosens the feeding hatch cover. There is a nylon nut glued inside and the hatch cover is sandwiched in between the nut and the screw. I rehoused one of my versi's and now I'll finish up on the other one's new home.
Top of the lid.

inside of the lid.

New enclosure complete.

Avic in new home.

old enclosure v. new enclosure.

Avic enclosure

Arachnosquire

Arachnoking

Arachnobaron

Arachnoking

Arachnosquire

Arachnobaron

Arachnoking

Arachnobaron

Arachnosquire

Arachnobaron

Arachnobaron

Arachnoking

Arachnobaron

Arachnosquire

Arachnoking

Arachnobaron

Arachnoking

Arachnobaron

Arachnoking

Arachnosquire