Am I ready for Tarantulas?

[Cell]

I want to know if I'm ready to take care for Tarantulas. I just got started today, and got myself 3 slings. B. albopilosum, B. smithi, and G. pulchripes. Here are pictures of them in their enclosure.

If you can't view them. Click [here] and [here].

I also got them tiny B. lats/red runner cockroaches.

If you can't view it. Click [here]. I'll feed them once a week, and water a part of their substrate so they can drink (I'll put bottlecaps if they get big enough).

I know the enclosure is too big for the slings. I hope that is alright. I can't look for smaller ones. They will be staying here for a while, until they get big enough, then I'll get bigger enclosures.
The temperature here in my country around in the afternoon is usually around 70-80+ degrees Fahrenheit. I don't have an aircon, but I have a fan that keeps running. And if it gets hot, I'll hide them somewhere dark where isn't too hot. Usually under my desk. During evenings, the temperature will lower down and it will be cooler. Since they're slings, they need a moist environment so I will spray some water once a week, until they reach a certain size to be able to drink in bottle caps. If it gets too hot for a couple of days or more, I'll spray more than once a week. This is the case for slings though. If the B. albopilosum gets big, I'll still continue to moist the substrate. If the B. smithi gets big, I'll leave the enclosure dry, but leave a full bottle cap just in case it gets thirsty. Lastly, if the G. pulchripes gets big, I'll also leave the enclosure dry, but leave a full bottle cap. If they get big enough, I'll add some "decor" that is suitable for them.
I also know other basics besides the moisture of their habitat, but I don't think I need to mention it all, haha. I'll continue to read if I pass by anything, and watch videos to learn.
So, am I ready to start? Do you think I still need something? Feel free to tell me. Also advice as I continue the hobby. Thanks! y（^ヮ^）y

 

[Ungoliant]

Welcome to tarantula keeping. Those are three great species for beginners.

I know the enclosure is too big for the slings. I hope that is alright.

If you can find them, deli/condiment cups make great containers for slings.

If this is your only option for containers, I would add some tiny holes (make sure no hole is bigger than the spider's carapace) around the sides for cross ventilation.

They may also appreciate a small, partially buried hide.

Since they're slings, they need a moist environment so I will spray some water once a week, until they reach a certain size to be able to drink in bottle caps.

You can give them water dishes now. Tarantulas, even slings, won't drown in water dishes. While you may not always see your tarantula drink from the dish, it's a good safeguard to give them the option of being able to get a drink whenever they want (instead of just during the hour or two after you mist.)

An easy way to moisten the substrate for slings is to moisten the bottom layer and then add some dry substrate on top. This provides some humidity while still giving them a dry surface to stand on. It also allows them to burrow down to moist substrate if they want.

You can also periodically moisten part of the substrate. (This is better for raising humidity than spraying the sides of the container, as moisture on the walls quickly evaporates.)

So, am I ready to start? Do you think I still need something? Feel free to tell me. Also advice as I continue the hobby.

Pretty much. Enjoy your new spiders!

Tom Moran posted a comprehensive guide on raising slings that is worth watching if you are new to tarantulas or slings:

 

[Cell]

Welcome to tarantula keeping.

Thanks! o(^▽^)o

Those are three great species for beginners.

I got the idea from one if The Dark Den's videos, haha. Specifically this video.

Some of my friends who are also in the hobby agreed with The Dark Den's reocmmendations. And one of them said slings are also a great way to start the hobby, and it is fun seeing your pets grow.
I'm planning on getting a Tiger rump next week. Also a sling, haha.

If you can find them, deli/condiment cups make great containers for slings.

Of course I have some. Do I need to rehouse them or is my current one okay enough? I hope it's okay, because I'm planning to stick with this enclosure until they get big enough for a new and bigger enclosure.

If this is your only option for containers, I would add some tiny holes (make sure no hole is bigger than the spider's carapace) around the sides for cross ventilation.

Okay, I'll do my best to add holes around the sides. d(･∀･○)

They may also appreciate a small, partially buried hide.

I'll do my best with this one too, lel. (･ω･)b

You can give them water dishes now. Tarantulas, even slings, won't drown in water dishes. While you may not always see your tarantula drink from the dish, it's a good safeguard to give them the option of being able to get a drink whenever they want (instead of just during the hour or two after you mist.)

I'll buy water bottles for caps then. b(￣▽￣*)

An easy way to moisten the substrate for slings is to moisten the bottom layer and then add some dry substrate on top. This provides some humidity while still giving them a dry surface to stand on. It also allows them to burrow down to moist substrate if they want.

Sounds interesting. How do I moisten the bottom layer though? My way of moistening the substrate is spraying water on a certain part of the substrate, and not the entire thing.

You can also periodically moisten part of the substrate. (This is better for raising humidity than spraying the sides of the container, as moisture on the walls quickly evaporates.)

Yes, this is what I mean, lel.

Pretty much. Enjoy your new spiders!

Thanks again! y（^ヮ^）y

Tom Moran posted a comprehensive guide on raising slings that is worth watching if you are new to tarantulas or slings:

I'll watch it!

 

[Ungoliant]

Of course I have some. Do I need to rehouse them or is my current one okay enough? I hope it's okay, because I'm planning to stick with this enclosure until they get big enough for a new and bigger enclosure.

The bigger enclosures will work, but sometimes it's easier to feed/see tiny slings when they are in smaller enclosures.

Some members (like @cold blood) also say that housing your sling in a smaller container indirectly promotes faster growth in that the sling is more likely to be out and in a position to feed (as opposed to hiding down in a burrow).

Sounds interesting. How do I moisten the bottom layer though?

Before adding the spider, when you set up the enclosure, for the first third of the substrate, make it damp and tamp it down as hard as you can without breaking the enclosure. Then for the remaining two thirds of substrate, leave it dry, and tamp that down as hard as you can. Adding a hollow channel on one side can help you periodically moisten the bottom layer without having to soak the top.

If you are using a condiment cup, it's so shallow that you may not want to bother with damp and dry layers. (I just kept part of the top slightly damp for my smallest slings.)

My way of moistening the substrate is spraying water on a certain part of the substrate, and not the entire thing.

If you are moistening the top, definitely do it that way. (Many tarantulas don't seem to like being directly on damp substrate.)

 

[Cell]

The bigger enclosures will work, but sometimes it's easier to feed/see tiny slings when they are in smaller enclosures.

Some members (like @cold blood) also say that housing your sling in a smaller container indirectly promotes faster growth in that the sling is more likely to be out and in a position to feed (as opposed to hiding down in a burrow).

I get the logic. Well, I'll just hand the feed in near it so it can eat it surely since I'm sticking with my current enclosure. I'll keep that in mind for my future slings though!

If you are moistening the top, definitely do it that way. (Many tarantulas don't seem to like being directly on damp substrate.)

Noted, friend.

 

[The Grym Reaper]

My way of moistening the substrate is spraying water on a certain part of the substrate, and not the entire thing.

I either use a pipette to drop some water directly onto the substrate or slightly overfill the water dish to moisten the substrate around it, I'm not a fan of spraying tbh but it's personal preference.

I think @Ungoliant has covered everything care-wise so I'll leave it at that.

Welcome to the addiction... I mean hobby, enjoy your mini murder tanks

 

[Cell]

I either use a pipette to drop some water directly onto the substrate or slightly overfill the water dish to moisten the substrate around it, I'm not a fan of spraying tbh but it's personal preference.

Not literally "spraying" it, but rather using a syringe. Or a pipette too.

Welcome to the addiction... I mean hobby, enjoy your mini murder tanks

Haha, thanks!

 

[chrispetrie]

i think your off to a good start, perhaps provide a little hide for them it can be something simple like some fake leaves or some cork bark slightly buried with a burrow under it, i cannot see any ventilation holes on your enclosures, if you dont have any punch a few small holes in them so your slings can breathe, i would not worry about misting just use some sort of small dish with shallow water in it, they wont drown its pretty much a myth. but your spiders should get more than enough hydration from the food they eat, just be sure to hydrate their food ( i use bug gel myself, fresh carrots lettuce work fine also)

if you are overly worried about using a water dish you can always use a coke bottle lid burry it level with the substrate and put some spagnum moss inside there, it holds the water and theres 100% chance of no drowning as the moss is basically the water source, i did this when my my slings were tiny also, even though i knew they wasnt going to drown it just puts the mind to rest on the whole scenario

anyways your off to a great start and got some great species to start out with gl rasing those slings!

 

[ShyDragoness]

Good luck!! I havent seen my B. Albo sling in over a week Completely sealed its burrow off!

 

[Walker253]

You'll obviously get a lot of good advice and it's already started.

The one thing I'll say is don't overthink stuff. Tarantulas are pretty tough little creatures and there will be a time that you may panic, they are fine and are doing it the right way.

In the early stages, if you feel something is wrong, ask the question here first. And don't touch the upside down tarantula

 

[Cell]

i think your off to a good start, perhaps provide a little hide for them it can be something simple like some fake leaves or some cork bark slightly buried with a burrow under it

I'm planning to make them enclosures that imitate their habitats in the nature (I did research, so I have an idea what it looks like). But that would be when they get bigger, haha. I'll make them burrow hides pretty much soon though.

i cannot see any ventilation holes on your enclosures, if you dont have any punch a few small holes in them so your slings can breathe

Here's a picture of the lid where I punched small holes.

If you can't view it, click [here]. And that's pretty much the pattern of the other 2 enclosures. I'm also going to punch holes on the other 4 sides for cross ventilation.
(And, lol, that "MICROWAVE OVEN SAFE".)

if you are overly worried about using a water dish you can always use a coke bottle lid burry it level with the substrate and put some spagnum moss inside there, it holds the water and theres 100% chance of no drowning as the moss is basically the water source

Here in my country, we have bottle caps tinier that coke bottle caps. I'm planning on using those. I'll send pictures once it's in the enclosure. （＾∀＾）

Good luck!! I havent seen my B. Albo sling in over a week Completely sealed its burrow off!

Slings love to burrow, it's common. Sealing it is also common, and it's usually because pre-molt is near (goodluck if that's the case!). Or maybe try to make the substrate damp, and not too soaking wet if it is.

 

[ShyDragoness]

Slings love to burrow, it's common. Sealing it is also common, and it's usually because pre-molt is near (goodluck if that's the case!). Or maybe try to make the substrate damp, and not too soaking wet if it is.

Im aware thank you haha ^w^ Lovely to see youre so well educated! The substrates perfectly fine if anything it needs to dry out some I think Curly Fries is just a burrower at the mo haha ^w^ Shouldnt be shedding for another week or two but thank you!

 

[Wolfspidurguy]

I want to know if I'm ready to take care for Tarantulas. I just got started today, and got myself 3 slings. B. albopilosum, B. smithi, and G. pulchripes. Here are pictures of them in their enclosure.

If you can't view them. Click [here] and [here].

I also got them tiny B. lats/red runner cockroaches.

If you can't view it. Click [here]. I'll feed them once a week, and water a part of their substrate so they can drink (I'll put bottlecaps if they get big enough).

I know the enclosure is too big for the slings. I hope that is alright. I can't look for smaller ones. They will be staying here for a while, until they get big enough, then I'll get bigger enclosures.
The temperature here in my country around in the afternoon is usually around 70-80+ degrees Fahrenheit. I don't have an aircon, but I have a fan that keeps running. And if it gets hot, I'll hide them somewhere dark where isn't too hot. Usually under my desk. During evenings, the temperature will lower down and it will be cooler. Since they're slings, they need a moist environment so I will spray some water once a week, until they reach a certain size to be able to drink in bottle caps. If it gets too hot for a couple of days or more, I'll spray more than once a week. This is the case for slings though. If the B. albopilosum gets big, I'll still continue to moist the substrate. If the B. smithi gets big, I'll leave the enclosure dry, but leave a full bottle cap just in case it gets thirsty. Lastly, if the G. pulchripes gets big, I'll also leave the enclosure dry, but leave a full bottle cap. If they get big enough, I'll add some "decor" that is suitable for them.
I also know other basics besides the moisture of their habitat, but I don't think I need to mention it all, haha. I'll continue to read if I pass by anything, and watch videos to learn.
So, am I ready to start? Do you think I still need something? Feel free to tell me. Also advice as I continue the hobby. Thanks! y（^ヮ^）y

Id recommend starting out with adults but whatever floats ur boat m8

 

[Cell]

Id recommend starting out with adults but whatever floats ur boat m8

This is a bulk buy and it's pretty cheap because slings. My friend also said slings is a good way to start, and it's fun to see pets that you take care grow from babies to adult.

 

[Wolfspidurguy]

Y

This is a bulk buy and it's pretty cheap because slings. My friend also said slings is a good way to start, and it's fun to see pets that you take care grow from babies to adult.

Yeah I agree with you on the second part about watching your pets grow but starting with adult trantulas is just my personal preference

 

[Cell]

Pursan the G. pulchripes enjoying his little burrow hide. If you can't view picture, click [here].
As you can see, I also pushed holes in the sides for cross ventilation. I also moisted a part of the substrate. Next week, I'll pass by my cafeteria to buy bottles for the caps. Local store is not selling bottles with the cap I'm looking for.

 

[nicodimus22]

I want to know if I'm ready to take care for Tarantulas. I just got started today, and got myself 3 slings.

I'm puzzled at this question coming after you already have them. If the answer is no, and you need to research and become more knowledgeable first, it's already too late.

 

[The Grym Reaper]

Id recommend starting out with adults but whatever floats ur boat m8

Juveniles are generally recommended as they're past the "fragile" sling stage (tbh, with a few exceptions, they're a lot hardier than people give them credit for) but you still get to watch them grow and learn from them.