Can you Bark?

[Arachnid Addicted]

One drop in the bark could be enough to disolve the tannins. The the could drink that drop of water, and over time get intoxicated. Cedar for example has phenols and some accids that act like natural insecticices, I only mentioned tannins because they were advertised in the same bag of barks.

If you want to use the barks looks perfect to me... but please if something wrong happens don't start a thread like my T had DKS... etc.

Hi man, take a look at a link I sent in the beggining of this thread. It might help you.

 

[Dorifto]

Hi man, take a look at a link I sent in the beggining of this thread. It might help you.

I read it and? They argued about what phenols are.

I'm not any kind of chemical engineer, but if something is used for years, since ancient egyptians for example, as a natural insecticide, something true behind has to be. I'm not saying that it's going to kill your T, but if it's harmfull to other invertebrates I preffer to be cautious than loosing a T. Some species can become resistant to certain organic compounds and live in such conditions, it's called natural sellection, and over time the can get that resistance to that compound. Would you let an Atrax robustus bite you? Because is inofensive for dogs, cats and other mammals for example, but can kill a human easily.

 

[EpicEpic]

I read it and? They argued about what phenols are.

I'm not any kind of chemical engineer, but if something is used for years, since ancient egyptians for example, as a natural insecticide, something true behind has to be. I'm not saying that it's going to kill your T, but if it's harmfull to other invertebrates I preffer to be cautious than losting a T. Some species can become resistant to certain organic compounds and live in such conditions, it's called natural sellection, and over time the can get that resistance to that compound. Would you let an Atrax robustus bite you? Because is inofensive for dogs, cats and other mammals for example, but can kill a human easily.

I agree. Wayyyyyyy too many safe options to take even the slightest of chances!!

 

[Arachnid Addicted]

I read it and? They argued about what phenols are.

I'm not any kind of chemical engineer, but if something is used for years, since ancient egyptians for example, as a natural insecticide, something true behind has to be. I'm not saying that it's going to kill your T, but if it's harmfull to other invertebrates I preffer to be cautious than losting a T. Some species can become resistant to certain organic compounds and live in such conditions, it's called natural sellection, and over time the can get that resistance to that compound. Would you let an Atrax robustus bite you? Because is inofensive for dogs, cats and other mammals for example, but can kill a human easily.

Thats the point, there are other invertebrates (including other spiders) living in these trees so, how harmful can they actually be.

Anyways, I've never had a case of dyskinesia in here over 20 years keeping, and use a lot of barks, not only pine. Not that I won't in the future, but if thats the case, I'll doubt it will be because of any kind of bark.

However, and let me be very clear about this, like many other things in this hobby, what worked/works, not necessarily will work for others. This case, though, I'm with the "not harmful group".

 

[Dorifto]

Thats the point, there are other invertebrates (including other spiders) living in these trees so, how harmful can they actually be.

Anyways, I've never had a case of dyskinesia in here over 20 years keeping, and use a lot of barks, not only pine. Not that I won't in the future, but if thats the case, I'll doubt it will be because of any kind of bark.

However, and let me be very clear about this, like many other things in this hobby, what worked/works, not necessarily will work for others. This case, though, I'm with the "not harmful group".

I'm in the group of I preffer to be cautious

I preffer to advise that they can be harmfull than reading posts about dks etc. Your barks can be harmless? Yes, your barks can be harmfull to other species, they could be, and I preffer to discard that "could be" option than to have a dead T.

They are a lot of variables that we don't know, or we don't take care of, and there is a possibility that one of those variables, it could be, heat, humidity, both... etc can be the igniter to a harmful bark, so I preffer to stay away of that possibilities.

 

[jaw6053]

@MBArachnids - Are you wanting to use these wood chips because you cannot buy corkbark for hides ? Is that the main reason ? If you are trying to find something to make a hide with I would suggest these :

PVC Coupling

You can buy them in any size from 1/2" through 6". Then I cut them in half and silicone substrate on the tops of them. Just a suggestion if you are having a hard time finding certain products in Africa.

 

[MBArachnids]

I wouldn’t use bark chips bc some wood oils have potentially harmful propers and I’d think some spiders wouldn’t enjoy the feel of them
—— Just a little FYI you can order bulk lots of cork bark from Many Taxidermy supply companies. They use them to make realistic mounts. I got 5 pounds for 25$ which is a LOT of cork bark.
2 things to note.
1)Tell them what you need em for bc they can usually send one enormous piece or a lot of smaller pieces .
2) make sure to work with them on shipping options. Get them to pack fairly small and use a slower shipping option. Bc shipping can be expensive.
My first order was one huge piece (I didn’t know better) and shipping was like 40 bucks and they quoted me 15. They refunded me the difference bc I clearly told them to check with me before shipping but was a good lesson to learn
Second order I got a lot of rounds/half rounds/planks and shipping was only 15. 40 bucks for 5-6 pounds of cork bark is crazy cheap retail would have been 200$ or more. Ive even sold some and got a lot of my money back.
So yeh that’s a lot of words but check with taxidermy companies.

For a single piece of 14cm by 8cm diameter we roughly pay $15. (Converted at Dollar Rand price today) Same with taxidermy companies, I have approached most in my area and the prices just aren't worth it. Thank you for the advice though, I am sure some keepers on here reading it will make use of it.

One drop in the bark could be enough to disolve the tannins. The the could drink that drop of water, and over time get intoxicated. Cedar for example has phenols and some accids that act like natural insecticices, I only mentioned tannins because they were advertised in the same bag of barks.

If you want to use the barks looks perfect to me... but please if something wrong happens don't start a thread like my T had DKS... etc.

Why would I start a DKS thread? Please stop throwing jabs into the conversation.

As I said in the main post, I want this to be constructive

I agree. Wayyyyyyy too many safe options to take even the slightest of chances!!

That is why the thread was started to assess the situation.....It is to get a conclusion so keepers might have another option if they don't have certain materials readily available, I think we are all aware that there are plenty of options available, I liked this option because it is pleasing to the eye.

@MBArachnids - Are you wanting to use these wood chips because you cannot buy corkbark for hides ? Is that the main reason ? If you are trying to find something to make a hide with I would suggest these :

PVC Coupling View attachment 355456

You can buy them in any size from 1/2" through 6". Then I cut them in half and silicone substrate on the tops of them. Just a suggestion if you are having a hard time finding certain products in Africa.

I did this for a while but found the roundness to look unnatural, what I have done instead is I have taken the same pvc pipe, foaming it up and then carving it out to represent a rock like feature. I must admit the first few were horrid but with some practice it's starting to look better I also found if you take a whole-saw bit you can cut out a round piece in the pvc and make a hole in the foam that the T can use as an entrance...None of mine have opted to use that though

 

[EpicEpic]

That is why the thread was started to assess the situation.....It is to get a conclusion so keepers might have another option if they don't have certain materials readily available, I think we are all aware that there are plenty of options available, I liked this option because it is pleasing to the eye.

I understand. But like was said before me, to which I agreed and made a similar comment, to which then was agreed upon as well....there are a lot of SAFE + VISUALLY PLEASING options available to people on every corner of the world. Have a look in the vivarium forum for some ideas. You should never have to worry or second guess if something you put in with your tarantula enclosure is toxic.

And to answer your response to @Dorifto, many many people who start threads such as this one, unsure if a material they are using is toxic or not.....soon after start a thread about their spider having DKS because the material they were not sure was safe or not...was indeed toxic.

We've seen too many threads such as this one lead to a DKS thread not long after. Risky business.

 

[MBArachnids]

I understand. But like was said before me, to which I agreed and made a similar comment, to which then was agreed upon as well....there are a lot of SAFE + VISUALLY PLEASING options available to people on every corner of the world. Have a look in the vivarium forum for some ideas. You should never have to worry or second guess if something you put in with your tarantula enclosure is toxic.

And to answer your response to @Dorifto, many many people who start threads such as this one, unsure if a material they are using is toxic or not.....soon after start a thread about their spider having DKS because the material they were not sure was safe or not...was indeed toxic.

We've seen too many threads such as this one lead to a DKS thread not long after. Risky business.

So what are the boards for then if not to post questions like this because you thought of an idea and wanted to know if it will work????? I UNDERSTAND THERE ARE ALTERNATIVES !!! I started this thread because I thought it would look cool to have a bark chip enclosure, I first came here to get more opinions that's what the boards are for !!!!!!

I'll tell you, the elitist behavior has really gone to peoples heads on the boards....I am not interested in your opinion on this thread leading to a DKS thread like you have seen so many times... (So many times since joining in Apr of 2020) That was not my question and I was not looking for a debate on any other subject..I am merely interested in opinions and 1st hand experience regarding the matter posted in my original question.

Plenty of breeders here use this exact bark in their enclosures mixed with sub. I wanted to make a hide out of it which is different in my opinion from mixing with sub since arboreal don't tend to be on the ground with the bark as often.

It's like you can't comprehend that I made this thread because I had an idea, I was unsure about said idea and I have not made or installed this hide as of yet. I am fully aware of the risks AFTER creating this thread and getting some constructive information. So why feel the need to post irrelevant things when I have already gotten my answer and said I will speak to a more experienced person (Boina) who probably has 1st hand experience and I stated I would update everyone.

Is the need to sound clever and experienced that great these days?

Every thread someone starts is littered in conflict these days because you elitist people think your opinion is rule. Get over yourself.

Can't even start a simple thread on an idea anymore without some person throwing jabs to start a argument. Or some elitist coming on and scolding people because they are too new for this and that, or their enclosure is horse crap or something or other.

Literally if it were up to certain people on the boards only they would have T's as pets and everyone else would be too inexperienced to have T's.

 

[EpicEpic]

Can't even start a simple thread on an idea anymore without some person throwing jabs to start a argument. Or some elitist coming on and scolding people because they are too new for this and that, or their enclosure is horse $#@@ or something or other.

Literally if it were up to certain people on the boards only they would have T's as pets and everyone else would be too inexperienced to have T's.

Its called constructive criticism. You obviously can't handle it. There's a famous phrase "If everyone else is the problem, then the problem is you"

Its not an idea. You USE bark chips. Potentially toxic. Very real chance you start a DKS thread. You think thats a shot at you? That's reality. I told you go look at vivariums forum for safer ideas. You think thats a shot too LMAO!

 

[MBArachnids]

Its called constructive criticism. You obviously can't handle it. There's a famous phrase "If everyone else is the problem, then the problem is you"

Its not an idea. You USE bark chips. Potentially toxic. Very real chance you start a DKS thread. You think thats a shot at you? That's reality. I told you go look at vivariums forum for safer ideas. You think thats a shot too LMAO!

No one here is a problem though, we all got some decent advice from this thread until you showed up to threw around your "experience"

Its called constructive criticism. You obviously can't handle it. There's a famous phrase "If everyone else is the problem, then the problem is you"

Its not an idea. You USE bark chips. Potentially toxic. Very real chance you start a DKS thread. You think thats a shot at you? That's reality. I told you go look at vivariums forum for safer ideas. You think thats a shot too LMAO!

I use bark chips in my sub, as do many keepers on here nad literally the biggest breeder in my country. My IDEA was to use said bark chips to make a hide, how is that not an idea?

 

[EpicEpic]

No one here is a problem though, we all got some decent advice from this thread until you showed up to threw around your "experience"

You said @Dorifto was taking "jabs" at you too. Stop lying.

Ppl don't like when people keep potentially toxic products in with spiders. It goes bad almost every time.

Search bark chips. Read those threads. They aren't made for Tarantulas. Coco, Top Soil, Peat Moss.....people HATE seeing bark chips here.

 

[MBArachnids]

Its called constructive criticism. You obviously can't handle it.

No actually if you read through this thread you will notice that there is a lot of constructive criticism without people feeling the urge to be a douche about it

You said @Dorifto was taking "jabs" at you too. Stop lying.

Ppl don't like when people keep potentially toxic products in with spiders. It goes bad almost every time.

Search bark chips. Read those threads. They aren't made for Tarantulas.

So multiple people on this thread use it, breeders in my area use it with no casualties or any bad experiences yet your knowledge and experience over rules this fact because it goes bad every time....

 

[EpicEpic]

No actually if you read through this thread you will notice that there is a lot of constructive criticism without people feeling the urge to be a douche about it

And when you get constructive CRITICISM...you get all mad....you can't handle that...not everyone talks with kid gloves on.

 

[MBArachnids]

And when you get constructive CRITICISM...you get all mad....you can't handle that...not everyone talks with kid gloves on.

It's not about kid gloves, it's your holier than thou attitude that your opinion and advice is the be all and end all of tarantula keeping..... In this thread and many others

 

[EpicEpic]

So multiple people on this thread use it, breeders in my area use it with no casualties or any bad experiences yet your knowledge and experience over rules this fact because it goes bad every time....

Dude...1 guy in this thread uses it in some enclosures. Less than 1% of this board uses it. Read threads with people using it. In almost every single one they are told it is not proper. Good night.

 

[Ungoliant]

This thread has run its course. If you want to continue bickering with each other, take it to DMs.