Hanging Terrarium (safely, of course)

[MissSary]

So, in my adventures of making my own terrarium, I had come across the idea of using a very large bird feeder, which led me to thinking. If I set it just low enough and when I get the right kinds of hooks and chains I might be able to create a stable, light, hanging terrarium for my avic avic. I'm taking about using the kind of setup that could hang a heavy plant and keep it there during an earthquake. The terrarium would be made of something like a cheeseball or pretzel container and would be suspended by a secure hook and chains linked around the jar so it couldn't slip out. The suspension method shouldn't take long to build, but i will put it through some serious testing before I dare risk losing my baby. Since she is so sensitive to even the slightest bump, this should reduce the amount of traffic she feels and look really cool. For the time being, I am working on cleaning and drilling the container. I am also making a U carve in a small part of the bottom, just above the substrate level that I can tape down for easier food placement without disturbing any possible webbing.
This is all in the planning stages, of course.
Thoughts?

 

[klawfran3]

That doesn't sound vey safe... If it happens to fall and get damaged, would you want to risk losing your tarantula? And plus, bird feeders have holes in them so the birds can get the seeds. What's the point of putting a tarantula in them if I can get out? Also the bird feeders I've seen are super tall and skinny, completely unsuitable for an animal to live in. It will be swinging around and stress out the tarantula at the slightest air current. But the one thing that I really advise you to NOT do is the U-shaped hole for feeding. A tarantula can rip through a mesh cage top like its butter. What's a little tape to a determined giant spider?

 

[cold blood]

I think if its done well, and made to be safe, it could end up looking very cool. As long as you could still gain access for feedings and such.

 

[prairiepanda]

I think it's a great idea and would look pretty cool if done well. My only concern would be ease of maintenance. Make sure you factor that into your design. It would suck to have to take everything apart whenever you feed/water/clean/etc. I'm not sure about your taped-down feeding U thing; I wouldn't trust it to contain a T, and even if it's good for feeding time it probably won't help much when you have to do spot cleaning. Something with a full door you can open(not a pretzel jar) would be easier to maintain. Also think about the location. If there's anything below it or nearby that people might want to interact with(such as other T enclosures) it could get bumped and cause an even bigger disturbance than vibrations on a shelf. I think a corner would probably be safest, and also offer you the most anchoring area to work with.

When you're testing your design, I'd suggest filling the enclosure most of the way with water. This will not only test the strength of your supports/chains, but also the stability of the setup. The water will cause every movement to be exaggerated so it will be quite obvious if the setup isn't stable enough.

If you come up with a stable, easy-access design, do post pictures! I'd love to see!


EDIT: a hanging candle lantern such as this one : http://www.ikea.com/us/en/images/products/borrby-lantern-for-block-candle__0175235_PE328634_S4.JPG would be easily accessible and visually appealing. Depending on the kind you get, though, you'll probably have to modify it to make it escape-proof and to hang it safely.

 

[pyro fiend]

well idk if id do the u with tape.. but all in all not to bad of an idea, if you find a good bird feeder.. but 5g bird feeder? THATS HUGE! iv seen something like this done with exotera 8cubes and once with a 12cube but they where sub par [usualy held by hemp ropes youd use for a plant] but i agree with panda use water to work with its integrity.. idk bout you but id rather clean up 5g of water then a dead T...

about the earthquake.. good idea but i think the quake would cause just as much disturbance if not more then if it was sitting on a countertop [tho may not break but just as much vibrations]

all in all i think its a imaginative idea and very decorative. but it will have quite a few challenges..

 

[MissSary]

That doesn't sound vey safe... If it happens to fall and get damaged, would you want to risk losing your tarantula? And plus, bird feeders have holes in them so the birds can get the seeds. What's the point of putting a tarantula in them if I can get out? Also the bird feeders I've seen are super tall and skinny, completely unsuitable for an animal to live in. It will be swinging around and stress out the tarantula at the slightest air current. But the one thing that I really advise you to NOT do is the U-shaped hole for feeding. A tarantula can rip through a mesh cage top like its butter. What's a little tape to a determined giant spider?

No, I plan on using a cheese ball/pretzel container.


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---------- Post added 03-03-2014 at 03:16 PM ----------

Also, I live in an old home where the slightest traffic shakes things, but it hasn't seemed to bother any hanging plants.


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---------- Post added 03-03-2014 at 03:18 PM ----------

And the U cut would be so I could have easier access when feeding. I'm thinking maybe make it 1"x1.5"


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[Wildenthusiast]

I'm definitely with the majority here, and think it could be incredibly visually appealing and a good use of space. As mentioned (and as it seems like you already plan on), design carefully. With patience and diligence you may end up with one of the most clever enclosures out there. As for the feeding door, your current idea would be very difficult to make functional and secure at the same time. I think you'll figure something out for that as well, however.

 

[fyic]

I have seen it done .......I was trying to find it in the Vivariums and Terrariums

found this one that is some what similar

http://www.arachnoboards.com/ab/showthread.php?213329-Show-tanks&p=1903401&viewfull=1#post1903401

have seen them made out of these too
http://theguidingtree.com/images/SR-38469-clear-glass-hanging-candle-holder.jpg
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/412zriZ7h0L._SY300_.jpg


make sure to post photos if you do it

---------- Post added 03-03-2014 at 02:46 PM ----------

These are kool too http://www.arachnoboards.com/ab/sho...ium-Pictures&p=2193784&viewfull=1#post2193784

http://www.arachnoboards.com/ab/showthread.php?244462-Metal-lanterns-from-Hobby-Lobby

http://www.arachnoboards.com/ab/sho...ossible-arboreal-enclosure&highlight=lanterns

 

[MissSary]

How small so too small for an adult avic? My initial terrarium was the exo-terra nano (8x8x12).


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---------- Post added 03-03-2014 at 08:03 PM ----------

I have seen it done .......I was trying to find it in the Vivariums and Terrariums

found this one that is some what similar

http://www.arachnoboards.com/ab/showthread.php?213329-Show-tanks&p=1903401&viewfull=1#post1903401

have seen them made out of these too
http://theguidingtree.com/images/SR-38469-clear-glass-hanging-candle-holder.jpg
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/412zriZ7h0L._SY300_.jpg


make sure to post photos if you do it

---------- Post added 03-03-2014 at 02:46 PM ----------

These are kool too http://www.arachnoboards.com/ab/sho...ium-Pictures&p=2193784&viewfull=1#post2193784

http://www.arachnoboards.com/ab/showthread.php?244462-Metal-lanterns-from-Hobby-Lobby

http://www.arachnoboards.com/ab/sho...ossible-arboreal-enclosure&highlight=lanterns

That is fantastic! I see it says 13" but don't see how wide it is. If I get it, I'll also have to put up a plastic strip to hold in substrate.


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[edgeofthefreak]

I've wanted to make something like this for a long time.

Almost every lantern I find has a deal-breaker flaw. The glass is too thin, or cut funny. If the glass is good, then the door doesn't hinge very well. If both of those are in check, the bottom is flimsy. Or the handle. Or maybe I spend too much time wandering the aisles of Micheals.

By the way, some of those decorative lanterns are huge!

In any case, don't let my OCD prevent you from creating a really nice hanging enclosure. And please post pics, so I can see how silly I've been.

 

[fyic]

I would say a 2.5gal tank size is fine......as far as dimensions

specs
2.5gal (mini-tank) 13 x 6 x 8

 

[MissSary]

I wanted to get a pain 2 gallon tank, but the pet store was a bit backwards. The tank was an excellent price, but the lid was sold separately for the same price. Twenty dollars for a small fish tank just seemed silly.


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[fyic]

not hard at all to make your own.....go to just about any hardware store and get a acrylic sheet some will cut it for free......check into it

http://www.arachnoboards.com/ab/showthread.php?259190-using-5-gallon-aquarium-for-arboreal-T-s

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQW2FOQayoc

This might help http://www.arachnoboards.com/ab/showthread.php?259473-DIY-Enclosure-lid-Kits-amp-Enclosure-creations.

I wanted to get a pain 2 gallon tank, but the pet store was a bit backwards. The tank was an excellent price, but the lid was sold separately for the same price. Twenty dollars for a small fish tank just seemed silly.


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[MissSary]

I might try to use a lantern frame and cut plexiglass to fit it. As for any local cutters in my town, it'd just be me and my dremmel. I might try to ask the high school shop class.


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[fyic]

I hear you(no home depot,lows,OSH) .......not sure I would go with dremmel tool.........I think the best way is just scoring acrylic and break....very easy to do .....I'm sure you can youtube it

make sure to post some pics when you get-r-done

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=scoring+acrylic&sm=12

---------- Post added 03-04-2014 at 10:47 PM ----------

oh and side note ......I don't think you would need to replace all with acrylic.....maybe 2 of the 4 sides just to put vent holes

 

[MissSary]

I could replace the glass/plexiglass with sheets of plastic. But then I figure, if it's made for a candle to burn, it's obviously got to have fair ventilation, otherwise the candle wouldn't burn.


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