Can I house a tarantula in an aquarium?

[Fade]

Obviously there are diy plastic containers drilled with holes, acrylc enclosure from different tarantula websites, but what about an aquarium?

I am thinking a 5.5 gallon aquarium for my first T like a curly hair, or golden knee, etc

The dimensions seem solid at 16.25 x 8.375 x 10.5

However the question is is it okay to house as you can't drill holes in it and will have to rely on the lid for ventiilation

Also what about the T getting it's legs stuck in the wire lid?

I hope I can use an aquarium because it's cheap, I can clearly see the T, and readily available. The only other option would be diy with glass or acrylic which I can't or buying expensive acrylic enclosures like from Jamie's tarantulas

Any help is appreciated, thanks

 

[Nightstalker47]

You can certainly use glass aquariums, just be sure not to use the screen lid, a modded acrylic lid with plenty of ventilation holes would work fine.

 

[The Grym Reaper]

Yeah, I had these both lying around so I ordered some 10mmx10mm acrylic rod and 5mm acrylic sheet (all cut to size), some aquarium silicone, some cheap pull handles and some neodymium magnets and made the lids myself.

 

[Hardus nameous]

I have a few in aquariums with screen tops, I just put a drilled 1/4" piece of plastic under the screen. That way I can use the locking clips on the screens. I also use HDPE instead of acrylic.

 

[Fade]

I don't know how to make a diy lid, any other options? I really don't want to spend a fortune on an acrylic enclosure but I also want it to be a display so no plastic jars or anything. I don't have any tools and want it to be simple to do. Thanks

 

[MrTwister]

You can get lids made my zoo med I believe that use expanded metal rather then screen mesh.

 

[viper69]

Yes

 

[BC1579]

I'd like to pump the brakes on the "can't drill holes in an aquarium" thing for a sec.

IF your aquarium is plate glass as opposed to tempered glass, and IF you have regular rotary drill, and IF you make a one-time investment of about $30-35, then you can have your vents.

When Petco has their dollar-per-gallon sales, you can grab a nice 10 gallon tank and modify it to comfortably house most (if not all) of your larger NW terrestrials.

This may be slightly more involved for some, but I think there are a lot of DIYers in this hobby. Drilling a vent hole in a tank is not nearly as complicated as it seems.

 

[NukaMedia Exotics]

I house my M. balfouri in a regular horizontal 10 gallon glass aquarium with an acrylic lid, works just fine as long as there is a proper amount of substrate in the tank.

 

[Dave Jay]

I'd like to pump the brakes on the "can't drill holes in an aquarium" thing for a sec.

IF your aquarium is plate glass as opposed to tempered glass, and IF you have regular rotary drill, and IF you make a one-time investment of about $30-35, then you can have your vents.

When Petco has their dollar-per-gallon sales, you can grab a nice 10 gallon tank and modify it to comfortably house most (if not all) of your larger NW terrestrials.

This may be slightly more involved for some, but I think there are a lot of DIYers in this hobby. Drilling a vent hole in a tank is not nearly as complicated as it seems.

I get my lids cut and drilled by a local aquarium store that makes their own aquariums, I provided the glass and they made 6 lids for $10, that was 'mates rates' as we say here, but it doesn't take much time for them to do so they shouldn't charge much. Get the holes drilled so that round cupboard vents fit. I haven't gone so far as to get holes drilled in the tank itself, but I'm sure they can as aquariums are often drilled to fit filter hoses. It would be worth asking around imo

 

[Fade]

I have seen people use aquariums wiith lids in youtube videos, of course it was years ago though. Don't terrestrial Ts not want to climb upside down on the wire lid? I have watched videos where some people talked of a mexican red knee that got stuck.

 

[CyclingSam]

Yes

Efficient

 

[viper69]

Efficient

It was a Yes/No question that was asked

 

[Fade]

I am getting mixed responses of yes and no and don't know which is right. I will start out with a beginner T like a b. albopilosum, e. campestratus, or maybe g. pulchripes. I am thinking a 5.5 gallon aquarium with the typical metal mesh lid. Providing substrate, hide, water dish. Would this be secure, and safe for the T. Thanks

 

[darkness975]

Obviously there are diy plastic containers drilled with holes, acrylc enclosure from different tarantula websites, but what about an aquarium?

I am thinking a 5.5 gallon aquarium for my first T like a curly hair, or golden knee, etc

The dimensions seem solid at 16.25 x 8.375 x 10.5

However the question is is it okay to house as you can't drill holes in it and will have to rely on the lid for ventiilation

Also what about the T getting it's legs stuck in the wire lid?

I hope I can use an aquarium because it's cheap, I can clearly see the T, and readily available. The only other option would be diy with glass or acrylic which I can't or buying expensive acrylic enclosures like from Jamie's tarantulas

Any help is appreciated, thanks

I use mostly Kritter Keepers for ease and lightness of weight, but you can certainly use a glass aquarium as long as the lid is pexi glass / acrylic with air holes drilled as others have said.

 

[darkness975]

I don't know how to make a diy lid, any other options? I really don't want to spend a fortune on an acrylic enclosure but I also want it to be a display so no plastic jars or anything. I don't have any tools and want it to be simple to do. Thanks

Kritter Keepers are very transparent , but if you are really dead set on glass that is fine , just get the proper lid.

Here are some of my collection in Kritter Keepers just to compare visibility. I too want them all to be visible, I don't like the look of opaque barely visible containers stacked in a corner. Also, better visibility = better care. You don't want to be uncertain where the spider is before you open the lid. All of these images were taken through the plastic, yet you cannot even tell if you did not know any better.

Hadrurus arizonensis pallidus

• darkness975
• May 6, 2016

Hadrurus arizonensis

• darkness975
• May 9, 2016
• 3

B. hamorii

• darkness975
• Oct 10, 2016
• 4

G. porteri

• darkness975
• Oct 10, 2016
• 3

H. arizonensis pallidus

• darkness975
• Apr 27, 2017

Irene 2

• darkness975
• Apr 27, 2017

 

[cold blood]

I don't know how to make a diy lid, any other options?

Its as easy as measuring the top of the tank, going to a hardware store, telling them the dimensions you measured, and having them cut the plexi or acrylic. Then drill it out...that's free. Its not difficult or all that expensive.

Do not use a mesh lid.

 

[Fade]

Kritter Keepers are very transparent , but if you are really dead set on glass that is fine , just get the proper lid.

Here are some of my collection in Kritter Keepers just to compare visibility. I too want them all to be visible, I don't like the look of opaque barely visible containers stacked in a corner. Also, better visibility = better care. You don't want to be uncertain where the spider is before you open the lid. All of these images were taken through the plastic, yet you cannot even tell if you did not know any better.

Hadrurus arizonensis pallidus

• darkness975
• May 6, 2016

Hadrurus arizonensis

• darkness975
• May 9, 2016
• 3

B. hamorii

• darkness975
• Oct 10, 2016
• 4

G. porteri

• darkness975
• Oct 10, 2016
• 3

H. arizonensis pallidus

• darkness975
• Apr 27, 2017

Irene 2

• darkness975
• Apr 27, 2017

I guess it isn't that bad. How is the ventilation on kritter keepers? Is it too much? Do you only recommend kritter keepers or can I use other similar ones because I don't think those are at my local pet store.

 

[Fade]

Its as east as measuring the top of the tank, going to a hardware store, telling them the dimensions you measured, and having them cut the plexi or acrylic. Then drill it out...that's free. Its not difficult or all that expensive.

Do not use a mesh lid.

How is drilling the acrylic free? I don't have a drill Is there anything special about drilling it, or is it simply get any old drill and drill holes in it.

 

[cold blood]

How is drilling the acrylic free? I don't have a drill Is there anything special about drilling it, or is it simply get any old drill and drill holes in it.

OK, drop $10 on a drill....most houses have a drill.

You need to put something hard behind it when you drill to prevent it from cracking, but its not all that difficult to figure out. I use a wood block.