alternatives to acrylic when replacing exoterra mesh tops

Matt Man

Arachnoprince
Joined
Jul 4, 2017
Messages
1,884
I am going to be a bit controversial here!!!

IME (30 plus years keepings Ts), arboreal spiders tend to do well, even with the exo mesh, I think it is down to a difference in the claws when compared to their terrestrial cousins?

I do however ALWAYS replace the mesh for terrestrial spiders with acrylic and ventilation holes.

So there you have it, I shall await the inevitable barrage! 🤣
I have never had an issue, but I just choose to err on the side of safety
 

Introvertebrate

Arachnoprince
Old Timer
Joined
Dec 18, 2010
Messages
1,308
I am going to be a bit controversial here!!!

IME (30 plus years keepings Ts), arboreal spiders tend to do well, even with the exo mesh, I think it is down to a difference in the claws when compared to their terrestrial cousins?

I do however ALWAYS replace the mesh for terrestrial spiders with acrylic and ventilation holes.

So there you have it, I shall await the inevitable barrage! 🤣
For all we know, that whole "claws-stuck-in-mesh" theory is just another one of those internet urban legends that got started back in the Stan Schultz days and never got questioned. Maybe it happened to one guy back in 1983 and the story went viral. Then again, maybe the guy was lying.
 

The Spider House

Arachnolord
Joined
Aug 12, 2020
Messages
634
For all we know, that whole "claws-stuck-in-mesh" theory is just another one of those internet urban legends that got started back in the Stan Schultz days and never got questioned. Maybe it happened to one guy back in 1983 and the story went viral. Then again, maybe the guy was lying.
I always replace for terrestrial but my arboreals have never had issues. I have seen terrestrials hanging that seem to be frozen and can't move without help (but think most terrestrial like that whenever they are upside down anyway), but arboreals always manage to move IME.
 

Matt Man

Arachnoprince
Joined
Jul 4, 2017
Messages
1,884
For all we know, that whole "claws-stuck-in-mesh" theory is just another one of those internet urban legends that got started back in the Stan Schultz days and never got questioned. Maybe it happened to one guy back in 1983 and the story went viral. Then again, maybe the guy was lying.
In have had numerous terrestrial species caught in mesh. Luckily I had substrate high enough they didn't lose a limb.
There is a tool the Fly Tiers use called a bodkin. It is essentially a ling needle with a handle. It is the most effective tool for getting between a Ts Claw and the wire mesh. Then you just lift it off the wire
 

campj

Captive bread
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Aug 16, 2009
Messages
478
used to be. still do, just not on the regular as it once was
Right on. Guessing you've got some decent trout waters inland, and maybe some saltwater stuff if that's your jam. I used to do a bunch of trout stuff, but only have warm water species where I'm living now. Pike, bass, and walleye (maybe?) flies. Tying big streamers is pretty gratifying.
 
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Jaycooks1

Arachnopeon
Joined
Jun 28, 2022
Messages
23
I wont lie since I broke my Tinker lid I never replaced the mesh and my Avic has had no mishaps knock wood.
 

Matt Man

Arachnoprince
Joined
Jul 4, 2017
Messages
1,884
Right on. Guessing you've got some decent trout waters inland, and maybe some saltwater stuff if that's your jam. I used to do a bunch of trout stuff, but only have warm water species where I'm living now. Pike, bass, and walleye (maybe?) flies. Tying big streamers is pretty gratifying.
grew up a trout bum, have fished a stupid amount of water in the Western US. (My dad, who taught me, said "You fish more gold medal water in a year than most people do in a lifetime") We have 6,000 peaks 45 minutes east of the beach, there are some streams but I feel these fish are too stressed (and small) to be fishing for. There are some lakes, with planters, but that isn't my thing. So I turned my eyes to the salt. So I get the whole streamer thing. Fish both off the beach and from boats. You think a steelhead or salmon can pull and then you hook an 8lb Bonito. Jeebus. I have taken over 100 halibut on Fly (both from the beach and boats) and have landed small tuna as well
BlacksButt CU.jpg NadoButt 2.jpg Nado Buut1.jpg

Pargo.jpg GAllo Panga.jpg . BlacksBut1.jpg Flyboxes.jpg
 
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campj

Captive bread
Old Timer
Joined
Aug 16, 2009
Messages
478
grew up a trout bum, have fished a stupid amount of water in the Western US. (My dad, who taught me, said "You fish more gold medal water in a year than most people do in a lifetime") We have 6,000 peaks 45 minutes east of the beach, there are some streams but I feel these fish are too stressed (and small) to be fishing for. There are some lakes, with planters, but that isn't my thing. So I turned my eyes to the salt. So I get the whole streamer thing. Fish both off the beach and from boats. You think a steelhead or salmon can pull and then you hook an 8lb Bonito. Jeebus. I have taken over 100 halibut on Fly (both from the beach and boats) and have landed small tuna as well
View attachment 439828 View attachment 439829 View attachment 439830

View attachment 439831 View attachment 439832 . View attachment 439827 View attachment 439833
Looks like great fun. I've only used conventional gear in salt (well used fly gear on the coast of Netherlands, but didn't see a fish the entire time), but can agree that the fish are considerably stronger. Nice rooster!
 

Wolf135

Arachnoknight
Joined
May 14, 2016
Messages
191
I made a lid for my pumpkin patch sp Lg from a basket at dollar tree and hot glued it in place after cutting it into the right size.
 
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