heat rock

[jmm1213]

is it ok to put a heat rock in a g rosea inclosure?

 

[Subterfuge]

No.

It is most likely not necessary, and could only harm your T.

What's the temp in its cage?

 

[jmm1213]

wat if u put it under the subsrate like a heat pad?

 

[Subterfuge]

No, its T's instinct to dig deeper to get cooler, (and more moist). They'll only dig deeper trying to escape the heat.

What is the temp in its cage? Its most likely not necessary.

 

[stonemantis]

is it ok to put a heat rock in a g rosea inclosure?

I wouldn't recommend direct heat on any invertebrate.

Reasons:

There isn't any way of controlling the heat emitted from the heat rock.

Temperature increases dehydrates the tennants and they need to drink more often. End result crispy critter and a very sad pet owner.

Friendly Suggestion: Room temperature (70-75 degrees) is fine when keeping pet tarantulas. IMO more exact temperature is only necessary when breeding certain species of invertebrates.

 

[dymndgyrl]

I put a small heat rock in one side of a 5 gal tank and attached it to a thermostat (Zoo Med) set on medium. When I laid the thermometer right on top of it it read 80 F. The thermometer at the other end of the cage, farthest away from the rock was at room temp (61 F in the winter - I turn the rock off in the warmer weather) Also, I water the substrate right around the rock about every other day, when it is on.

My G. Rosea has a burrow/hide that she built at this farthest corner, but I have seen her sitting right on top of the heat rock at times. She has plenty of temp. gradient throughout the tank - really just as much as if there were a heat pad stuck on the side.

With a tank any smaller than a 5 gal., though, I don't think it would work.

 

[Mattyb]

I wouldn't recommend direct heat on any invertebrate.

Reasons:

There isn't any way of controlling the heat emitted from the heat rock.

Temperature increases dehydrates the tennants and they need to drink more often. End result crispy critter and a very sad pet owner.

Friendly Suggestion: Room temperature (70-75 degrees) is fine when keeping pet tarantulas. IMO more exact temperature is only necessary when breeding certain species of invertebrates.

I couldn't agree more. Well said stonemantis :clap:

-Matty

 

[Scorp guy]

It harms reptiles badly, and something such as a tarantula, whose body is less than half as tough as scales and skin, i would hate to think of what would happen. Basically, no, you cant.

 

[Arietans]

Heat rocks are dangerous because you really don't have much control over how hot it gets, and how long it stays hot.

 

[dymndgyrl]

There isn't any way of controlling the heat emitted from the heat rock.

Yes there is, try the thermostat I mentioned, it controls the heat just as it would on a heat mat or rope. Like I said, the temp of the rock set at medium is 79-80 F and I can turn it up or down from there. And as I mentioned there is plenty of different temps for her to choose from in the tanK.

Plus, with being diligent about wetting the substate, my G. Rosea isn't too hot nor crispy (I water all around the rock and repeat within about two days when the warmth from the rock has dried it out again)

If the T has plenty of options to move away from the heat source, why is this any different than say, a heat mat glued to the outside wall of the tank?

 

[stonemantis]

Yes there is, try the thermostat I mentioned, it controls the heat just as it would on a heat mat or rope. Like I said, the temp of the rock set at medium is 79-80 F and I can turn it up or down from there. And as I mentioned there is plenty of different temps for her to choose from in the tanK.

The thermostat you mentioned gives you an approximate temperature. IME with Zoo Med thermostats the temperature fluxuates 10-15 degrees. I believe that the temperature can be regulated but, not controlled.

Plus, with being diligent about wetting the substate, my G. Rosea isn't too hot nor crispy (I water all around the rock and repeat within about two days when the warmth from the rock has dried it out again0

I'm not arguing the fact that you keep your tarantula and it's substarate hydrated. I just know from experience that if you raise the temperature on anything (living or not) it dries out quicker than lower temperatures.

If the T has plenty of options to move away from the heat source, why is this any different than say, a heat mat glued to the outside wall of the tank?

Indirect heat and Direct Heat.

Example: If you stand in a sunny area as opposed to a shady area you will heat up quicker because you are in direct sunlight instead of partial sunlight.

Use the same logic when using heat pads. If I have to use them (which I do not) then I would place it above the tank. That way if the tarantula needs to cool down it can seek refuge in it's burrow or hide.

I'm just trying to be as helpful as I can in providing useful information for all to enjoy.

 

[Nightshade]

why bother?

I'm not sure where you are, but in Ottawa where my G. roseas are, it's 43 degrees celsius right now. Unless you live somewhere really cold, I don't think you need to worry about heating during the summer.

I used to heat both of my G. roseas. I asked about it on Arachnoboards, and learned that room temperature is ideal for most species. When winter comes, I'll probably put a heating pad up against the wall of the shelf where my spiders live, as opposed to underneath, which was what I had before.

The best strategy, so I've been told, is to heat the air inside their cages, not the cages themselves.
When I removed the heat sources from underneath their cages, they didn't seem to notice.

 

[Scorp guy]

I'm not sure where you are, but in Ottawa where my G. roseas are, it's 43 degrees celsius right now. Unless you live somewhere really cold, I don't think you need to worry about heating during the summer.

I used to heat both of my G. roseas. I asked about it on Arachnoboards, and learned that room temperature is ideal for most species. When winter comes, I'll probably put a heating pad up against the wall of the shelf where my spiders live, as opposed to underneath, which was what I had before.

The best strategy, so I've been told, is to heat the air inside their cages, not the cages themselves.
When I removed the heat sources from underneath their cages, they didn't seem to notice.

exactly Why pay $5-$25 for a dumb rock, that could greatly cause danger, or death to your spider? it's a waste of gas to the shop, money for the rock, and not even worth the extra electricity

 

[dymndgyrl]

I had the rock from years ago, and we keep our house at about 60 F at night in the winter. (I don't have it on in the summer)

Like I said - a mere 7-9 inches away from the rock the tank temp is back down to 61 F !

She does not get too hot - she can go any where in the tank where the temp. suits her, and she does!

 

[Nightshade]

I used to live in a basement, it was a lot cooler, so I was more concerned about heating them back then. When I bought Soma and his heater, it was back in January. The heating pad under Soma's cage and the old cable box under Desi's cage didn't SEEM to do them any damage, I'm just saying, they're doing just fine without them - still eating, still drinking, showing no signs of agitation.

Maybe I could have kept the heat sources without harming my spiders, but other people on the boards who were much more experienced told me they weren't needed, so I took their advice and ditched them. I have 4 tarantulas now. I plan on getting another one before the middle of the month. I might have as many as 10 by the end of the month. Paying around $25 to heat each one of them seems like a waste of money to me.

I don't even know if I'll bother with a heater in the winter. It depends on where I'm staying (I'm not living in a basement anymore) and what the temperature is like. If I have the option of moving their cages somewhere warmer instead of trying to heat the cages themselves, I'll take it.

I'm not trying to bash anyone who chooses to provide a heater, as that would make me a hypocrite. I'm just saying, why bother?
In the Atacama Desert where G. roseas come from, they can withstand temperatures that drop to below 0 degrees celsius at night.

I think the thread I started in May or June was called "spoiling my spiders or keeping them healthy?" If you find it in a search, you can read exactly what I read before I decided to lose the heaters.

 

[bonesmama]

Haven't any of you read this sticky? You should!
http://www.arachnoboards.com/ab/showthread.php?t=5292

 

[Nightshade]

One of the first things I read on the boards, actually

Haven't any of you read this sticky? You should!
http://www.arachnoboards.com/ab/showthread.php?t=5292

Ahh, memories.
I'm not sure how to post a link to the thread though, being just compotent enough to type, and turn this thing on and off, and such, lol.
The Schultzes rock! I read the Tarantula Keeper's Guide cover to cover when Josh got Desi for his birthday, years ago.
And now Desi is my spider, and the Guide is in my nightstand for easy reference. :]

 

[dymndgyrl]

Yes, I've read the sticky and here's what he says about temp.:

"For the most part, unless you have antifreeze in place of
blood, any temperature at which you're comfortable will suit the tarantula
just fine. If you have a choice, 74 to 85 F (23 to 29 C) is ideal."

Well, I am NOT comfortable in my own house AT 60 -62 F on winter mornings (husband likes it) so I huddle around in blankets till the house heats up. And so since "I have a choice" I am going for the "ideal" in the T tank, which Schultz states is 74 - 85 F.

The heat rock I have doesn't really get that hot, and it is not direct heat - the element is embedded in the 1" thick "rock" material which is way more insulation from the heat than a thin heat mat glued to the side of 1/8" thick glass. I laid the thermometer right on top of it and it only reads 80 F.

The subatrate within an inch of the rock does not even heat up!

I know I'm arguing the point that these rocks aren't as bad as some think but even so, I may consider not using the rock for heat this winter, I'm just a little concerned about the daily temp. swings in my house.

 

[Mushroom Spore]

For goodness' sake, don't get a heat rock. People have already told you why--those things BURN PETS on a regular basis. Ask anyone that's worked reptile rescue about the horrific burns on those critters. As for the one person who waters the substrate around her heat rock...er, electrocution hazard much?

If the tank is too cold, get a heating PAD (ie, UTH/undertank heater) and place it on the outside of one side of the tank. Don't put it actually under the tank, because inverts burrow to get away from heat, etc. That and a good thermostat to prevent overheating will not only warm your babies, but keep them from injury or death due to hot rocks, which really should be banned. No cold-blooded animal should ever be allowed to come into direct contact with a heat source, because their bodies don't recognize that they are being burned in time for them to move and save themselves.

 

[Scorp guy]

For goodness' sake, don't get a heat rock. People have already told you why--those things BURN PETS on a regular basis. Ask anyone that's worked reptile rescue about the horrific burns on those critters. As for the one person who waters the substrate around her heat rock...er, electrocution hazard much?

If the tank is too cold, get a heating PAD (ie, UTH/undertank heater) and place it on the outside of one side of the tank. Don't put it actually under the tank, because inverts burrow to get away from heat, etc. That and a good thermostat to prevent overheating will not only warm your babies, but keep them from injury or death due to hot rocks, which really should be banned. No cold-blooded animal should ever be allowed to come into direct contact with a heat source, because their bodies don't recognize that they are being burned in time for them to move and save themselves.

amen:wall:

The way i see it, theres two choices here:

1. Put a heat rock, and end up with a dead T.
2. DONT put a heat rock, but a pad instead, and end up with about 99% chance of survival, compared to that of a heat rock.

Think, for the owners, like myself, who own 15+ T's, we dont go spend $15 per rock, for every tarantula we have. I know people who have over 100, thatd be over $1500 just for heating The chances of your spider dying from a rock, are far higher than that of dying of the cold.