curlyhair enclosure size

[praetorian2150]

Hey guys im new to T's and i wanna get into the hobby. I alrdy got a few scorpions so im not a total noob lol. anywho, im looking at the curlyhair and the chaco golden knee. I know golden knees need a 10 gallon when adult but wat size for a curlyhair. I have a medium KK for the juvie size but im stumped for an adult size cage. Ive seen conflicting caresheets with 5-10 gallon for full size. Can any curylhair owners help. Im thinking a 10 for it but if its overkill please tell me. thx for the help guys

 

[Mushroom Spore]

Don't go to caresheets for stuff like this, 99% of them are total crap.

How big is the spider you're getting? They do fine with something like 5-8 times their legspan in floor space. A ground-dwelling tarantula (which both of your options are) should never be in an enclosure with more than 1.5 times it's own legspan from dirt to ceiling. They tend to not do well if they climb and fall.

So if you're buying a four-inch tarantula, whatever you're housing it in, you need to pile on the dirt until there's six inches from dirt to the ceiling.

As far as I know, both species you're looking at are very slow growers (G. aureostriata is faster than G. rosea, but still slow by most standards). You just worry about housing them *now* - they won't need to be rehoused for quite a while.

 

[hardlucktattoo]

Don't go to caresheets for stuff like this, 99% of them are total crap.

How big is the spider you're getting? They do fine with something like 5-8 times their legspan in floor space. A ground-dwelling tarantula (which both of your options are) should never be in an enclosure with more than 1.5 times it's own legspan from dirt to ceiling. They tend to not do well if they climb and fall.

So if you're buying a four-inch tarantula, whatever you're housing it in, you need to pile on the dirt until there's six inches from dirt to the ceiling.

As far as I know, both species you're looking at are very slow growers (G. aureostriata is faster than G. rosea, but still slow by most standards). You just worry about housing them *now* - they won't need to be rehoused for quite a while.

Id have to agree a G. rosea can go for 4-6 months from pre-molt to molt and after they do they dont usually get too much bigger and molts are usually far and few between

 

[praetorian2150]

im going for a 2-3 inch in terms of size. I own emperors so i know the substrate issue and falling from the ceiling of the enclosure. My emperor just doesnt learn lol. anywho, i was thinking the same thing. Ill wait till he gets around to 4 inches and ill go from there. Im afraid to go with the 10 gallon until maximum size due to fall hazards. Im just gonna stick with the 5.5 and go from there. thx for the help

 

[Zoltan]

A bigger plastic box would probably be enough for now but you could also use a 8" x 8" x 8" terrarium for a 3" T. For adults a 12" x 12" x 12" enclosure if enough for both.

 

[Mina]

A large KK is fine, that is what my adult females are in. Fill it at least halfway with substrate so they can burrow, add a water dish and a T and you are set. B. albo's are great T's, they are enthusiastic eaters, burrowers and love to move dirt and water dishes around. Feed correctly 1 or 2 sized prey items once a week, and in summer overfill the water dish once every 2 weeks for humidity. I usually do it once every week in winter.

 

[praetorian2150]

thx for all the help, one more question on temp. My room is at a consistant 72-73F dropping to 68 here and there if the central AC is cranking forever. I assume this is just at the bridge of good room temperature. Just looking for a few opinions on proper temp range. Ill get the humidity under control so thats not a problem

 

[Mushroom Spore]

Just looking for a few opinions on proper temp range.

Between 65-85F. If you're comfy, so are the vast majority of tarantula species.

Ill get the humidity under control so thats not a problem

Caresheet crap again. The two species you're getting? Just keep them dry with a water dish, humidity doesn't matter and I know for a fact the aureostriata will freak out if you try misting the enclosure.

 

[Zoltan]

Each species has its own ranges of optimal temps, but I would generally advise you not to let temps drop below 20 Celsius (68 F).

 

[praetorian2150]

thats wat im thinking. Im gonna get heat mats and put em on the enclosures and when a problem occurs im gonna turn em on for short periods