appropriate tank size for Hadrurus arizonensis

[Prymal]

Parabuthus-

Makes sense the addition of the calci-sand thereby, increasing the alkalinity of the substrate. Typically, in regions receiving less than 20-inches of rain fall per annum, such as desertic soils, tend to be alkaline in ph value and have moderate to high concentrations of calcium carbonate in their composition.

Luc

 

[Matthew]

Not a long time scorp keeper but my arizonensis dose great on washed play sand from Wal*mart and he digs a little tunnel so he can hide out under a some wood he eats like a pig and I offer him a small thing of water every 4 months for a week. Don't know if its right but it works for me. -- (let it be know I can't keep a flat rock alive for more than a year)

 

[herpist]

I've been reading up on H. Arizonensis and I've been reading that sand and excavator clay 70% sand 30% clay works quite well.

 

[mikewilbon]

+1
I use sand and "Zoo-Med Excavator Clay Burrowing Substrate". Works GREAT !!!

 

[shebeen]

Everything you've ever wanted to know about the soil in the Arizona-Sonora Desert can be found here.

In a nutshell, your substrate should be dry packed sand with a high clay content. A 30/70 mix of excavator clay to play sand works well. The clay acts as a binder. It sounds like the calcium carbonate in calci-sand also works as a binder, although I've never used it. I would stay away from peat or coco-fiber as desert soils typically contain little humus. I'm not sure if red sand alone will dry hard enough to hold a burrow, but you can test it by packing a sample into a small container and drying it with a hair dryer or lamp. If it just crumbles when dry, you'll want to add some excavator clay.

Your substrate needs to be wetted, packed and let to dry completely. I find it's best to work in layers of a couple inches, allowing each layer to dry before adding the next. Otherwise, as you've probably realized, drying 8 inches of wet sand can take weeks.

I love the shape of your tank and the deep substrate, but I think the lava rock is a bit overkill. A couple of flat rocks or pieces of slate angled into the substrate are all you need. Just make a depression under each and your scorp will take care of the rest.

 

[Keister]

I don't think any of these guys or most of them at least are still around, last post before you guys was in 2005.

 

[herpist]

Lol, just looked to see who dragged this post from the vaults and it was me. Didn't look at the date.