Exo-terra size

[Fierce Deity]

Would the 18x18x18 exo-terra be too large for a 2 inch T? What about a 3" Would I have to keep it in something else until is gets bigger? And what legspan would be suitable for this size terrarium? I do not see a problem, since in the wild, they have much more space than this, and seem to find food alright. If the crickets are trapped in there, they are bound to meet eventually. Thanks,
T.W.

 

[Mike H.]

Would the 18x18x18 exo-terra be too large for a 2 inch T? What about a 3" Would I have to keep it in something else until is gets bigger? And what legspan would be suitable for this size terrarium? I do not see a problem, since in the wild, they have much more space than this, and seem to find food alright. If the crickets are trapped in there, they are bound to meet eventually. Thanks,
T.W.

I have several exo-terra tanks, and the 18 X 18 would be way to big for a 2 or 3 inch spider, I have the 12 X 12 and they are a great size and I have some adults in those and they are fine...

Regards, Mike

 

[Lorgakor]

In my opinion, yes that is much too large for a 2 or even 3 inch spider. I would house it in something else until it is larger. What kind of tarantula is it?

 

[Windchaser]

Definitely too big. And remember, the death rate of tarantulas in the wild is quite high. So, simply saying that because the wild is big, their enclosures can be big is not truly a valid point. At any rate, keeping them in captivity is already far removed from their natural environments that it is best to ensure they have optimal enclosures.

 

[MicahHall]

We have a four incher in a 12 x 12.. and realistically that is even too big for him.. he could olympic spider laps in this thing.

 

[Michael Jacobi]

The 18" cube is unnecessarily large for any size spider and would invite the problems that others have mentioned. I use the 12 x 12 x 12 and the 12 x 12 x 18 extensively. The former I use for smaller arboreals such as most Avics, Tapinauchenius, Psalmopoeus pulcher, P. reduncus, Iridopelma, Stromatopelma, Cyriopagopus schioedtei, etc. and many Chilobrachys species, and use the taller model for large arboreals such as Poecilotheria, Psalmopoeus cambridgei, P. irminia, Cyriopagopus sp. 'Singapore', Avicularia metallica, A. braunshauseni. etc.

Cheers, Michael

 

[Fierce Deity]

Would the 18x18x18 cube be too big for a full grown genic?
It looks like the 12x12x12 would be a bit small.

 

[Lorgakor]

Personally I wouldn't put a terrestrial in one of those. I know alot of people do, but from what I can see you can't build the substrate up high enough to prevent falls if the spider decides to climb the walls.

 

[Windchaser]

Personally I wouldn't put a terrestrial in one of those. I know alot of people do, but from what I can see you can't build the substrate up high enough to prevent falls if the spider decides to climb the walls.

Exactly. I would never recommend an Exo-Terra for a terrestrial tarantula of any kind. They are much too tall and like you stated, you can't get enough depth for the substrate.

 

[Michael Jacobi]

Exactly. I would never recommend an Exo-Terra for a terrestrial tarantula of any kind. They are much too tall and like you stated, you can't get enough depth for the substrate.

True. As a rule of thumb, you shouldn't house terrestrial/burrowing tarantulas (especially large heavy-bodied species) in enclosures where the distance from the top of the substrate to the top of the enclosure exceeds the spider's legspan. I don't even recommend standard 10-gallon aquaria for the medium large to large terrestrial tarantulas. I much prefer custom aquaria called "half tens", which are increasingly available and have the same base dimensions as the 10-gallon tank, but are only half as tall. That's if you are looking for a glass enclosure to create an attractive vivarium. Plastic storage containers and the ExoTerra flat Faunarium or Lee's Kritter Keeper Herp Haven, which are short in height are also suggested.

I recommend the ExoTerra glass terraria for arboreals, smaller light-bodied terrestrials with semi-arboreal tendencies (e.g., Holothele sp., Pterinochilus murinus, Ephebopus sp.). That said, you will notice in my previous post that I mention Chilobrachys species. I keep large adults of this genus in the 12" cube as they display some arboreal tendencies and create elaborate silken structures. In other words, they aren't like a big A. geniculata who decides to climb the fancy faux rock foam wall and clumsily falls to injury.

I am a huge fan of these terraria but, as with anything, you have to select the right tool for the job.

Cheers, Michael

 

[Michael Jacobi]

I do not see a problem, since in the wild, they have much more space than this, and seem to find food alright.

Lesson #1: Captivity and nature ("the wild") are two completely different and absolutely unrelated situations. You cannot correlate the behaviors.

Cheers, Michael

 

[brova golin]

can i jus point somate out in the wild these spiders can go as far as they feel they need so technically no tank is really to big but you jus have to make sure food passes the Ts way an that a natural enviroment is kept to the same effect, think about it it has gotta add up ???? i may be wrong

gol

 

[Mike H.]

can i jus point somate out in the wild these spiders can go as far as they feel they need so technically no tank is really to big but you jus have to make sure food passes the Ts way an that a natural enviroment is kept to the same effect, think about it it has gotta add up ???? i may be wrong

gol

In the wild most females will not venture far from there burrows, they will patiently wait for prey to pass by them, males will wander ( when mature ) in search of a female, but in short most tarantulas in the wild dont wander far from there established burrows...

Regards, Mike

 

[NeilD]

I have a Juvi Rosea (Who does climb a little sometimes) and a 3 inch Blondi Male in exo-terra 12x 's you can get 4 inches of subs in those without blocking the vents which you can easily raise to 8 at the rear, I use the depth for their hide, it does worry me a little when the sling blondi is in pre-moult and tends to climb all over the place, I keep my 7" blondi in a exo-terra 18x's with a very deep subs but she doesn't climb at all and spends most of ther time in the burrow (which is quite deep and long)

 

[Fierce Deity]

Someone please answer my question:
I am well aware of the substrate issues involved with the exo-terra. I just want to know if 18x18x18 would be better for a 6-8 inch spider than the 12x12x12.

 

[NeilD]

Someone please answer my question:
I am well aware of the substrate issues involved with the exo-terra. I just want to know if 18x18x18 would be better for a 6-8 inch spider than the 12x12x12.

YES :wall:

 

[Windchaser]

Someone please answer my question:
I am well aware of the substrate issues involved with the exo-terra. I just want to know if 18x18x18 would be better for a 6-8 inch spider than the 12x12x12.

If you are asking about a terrestrial, then no for all the reasons given above. If you are talking about arboreals, then see Mike's response above. He certainly has the experience and knowledge and has provided an excellent answer to your question.

 

[Fierce Deity]

Alright, thanks guys.
I am going to be getting a juvenile Poecilotheria regalis, and was just wondering if the 12x12x18 will be fine when it is an adult, or if I will have to get the 18x18x 24. Didn't mean to start an angry discussion.:wall: I know what I will do now, so there is no need for any more comments. Thanks.
-T.W.

 

[Windchaser]

Alright, thanks guys.
I am going to be getting a juvenile Poecilotheria regalis, and was just wondering if the 12x12x18 will be fine when it is an adult, or if I will have to get the 18x18x 24. Didn't mean to start an angry discussion.:wall: I know what I will do now, so there is no need for any more comments. Thanks.
-T.W.

No one is getting angry. However, why do you keep asking for people to answer your question when it has already been answered numerous times? You have been given very sound advice here and your question has been answered. All you need to do is read the replies.

 

[MicahHall]

With measuring tape in hand, you can get three inches of substrate in the bottom of the 12 x 12 x 12 AND the 12 x 12 x 18. I have a five inch seemani in a 12 x 12 x 12 with the fake rock backing removed. May not be as fancy but its effective and much safer.
To address the "size" issue directly. I have a subadult regalis in the 12 x 12 x 18.. and its ideal for the conditions here.. not to mention a blast to decorate.