Heating solutions

[eggsbenedict]

Good afternoon,

I am getting my first tarantula, a G.pulchripes juvenile, hopefully next week. I'm living in an old house and my room seems to get fairly chilly, to around 15 degrees Celsius and below. I want to make sure I have a heating solution in place ideally before my juvenile arrives and having done a bit of research I'm aware that heat matts are generally frowned upon, and I can understand why as they sound potentially dangerous. I am looking for suggestions for a good heating solution, preferably something not too expensive as I'm on a fairly tight budget currently. I am also looking at putting some more weather stripping around my window as that seems to be a source of cold air into my room.

Cheers.

 

[Brewser]

Welcome,
Congratulations...
small space heater suggested
Best Wishes & Keep Warm

 

[Andrew Clayton]

Good afternoon,

I am getting my first tarantula, a G.pulchripes juvenile, hopefully next week. I'm living in an old house and my room seems to get fairly chilly, to around 15 degrees Celsius and below. I want to make sure I have a heating solution in place ideally before my juvenile arrives and having done a bit of research I'm aware that heat matts are generally frowned upon, and I can understand why as they sound potentially dangerous. I am looking for suggestions for a good heating solution, preferably something not too expensive as I'm on a fairly tight budget currently. I am also looking at putting some more weather stripping around my window as that seems to be a source of cold air into my room.

Cheers.

A space heater is going to be your best option, although heat mats are generally not advised, as long as you use it correctly it's fine.
By putting it on a side of the enclosure rather than underneath it, also you don't want to cover the whole side of it.

 

[viper69]

Space heater

 

[TenebrisAvicularia]

Spacial heater are the best for something like this. One with a timer is preferable, though I'm sure that you could just turn it off every 30-60 minutes or when needed. Just make sure to keep your Ts water dish full, the heater will dry it out faster in my experience.

 

[Dorifto]

Being from UK, get a nice ultratherm heat mat and place it in one side.

Use a thermostat to control the heat, placing the probe on top of the mat, so it measures the actual glass temperature rather than the air.

Placing it beneath the soil it's not advised, but it can be done if it's done correctly. I do it this way to minic how the burrow behaves on winter, but you need to take a lot of precautions.

The proper use of heat mats

Mods could you please make this a sticky as there's so much misinformation about heat mats? So heat mats are perfectly safe to use IF they're used properly. They're like a mini space heater when used properly. 1) Heat mats MUST be plugged into a thermostat. That's a thermostat NOT a...

arachnoboards.com

Feel free asking any questions!

 

[cold blood]

The best method is to get a tank you can put your sling enclosure (or any size t) into, and heat the tank with a heat pad in the side....this way you avoid direct contact with the t enclosure while gently heating it by essentially creating a micro-climate.

 

[Andrew Clayton]

Placing it beneath the soil it's not advised, but it can be done if it's done correctly.

Never do this it's that simple. It even tells you that in the information you shared.

 

[Dorifto]

Never do this it's that simple. It even tells you that in the information you shared.

You can do it, but you need to take a lot of precautions, precautions that most people are not aware off. The way it heats, the way that heat spreads, the material used to spread that heat, the amount of heat, the heated area size, the soil above the heated area, moisture levels, probe placing, the enclosure size... etc. That's why it's not recommended, not because we shouldn't.

People tend to place then beneath and voila, done, wrong! Big mistake.

If you only are providing heat, without providing any temp gradient big enough to allow them to thermorregulate (cool down or heat up), the T will be in serious trouble. Provide those gradients and the T is able to choose where it needs to move, don't do it, and you will "cook" your T. This is what causes problems, not the placement of it.

How do you believe burrows act during different season? They offer a warm spot during winter, and a cool one during the hotter seasons. With a bit of rational thinking you can mimic it easily and in a very safe way.

Anyway I use to recommend to place it in one side because it's a lot simpler and usually stupid proof. Aniway this way needs to take several precautions too, same as heating the whole room. Every option has benefits and drawbacks.

 

[Andrew Clayton]

You can do it, but you need to take a lot of precautions, precautions that most people are not aware off. The way it heats, the way that heat spreads, the material used to spread that heat, the amount of heat, the heated area size, the soil above the heated area, moisture levels, probe placing, the enclosure size... etc. That's why it's not recommended, not because we shouldn't.

People tend to place then beneath and voila, done, wrong! Big mistake.

If you only are providing heat, without providing any temp gradient big enough to allow them to thermorregulate (cool down or heat up), the T will be in serious trouble. Provide those gradients and the T is able to choose where it needs to move, don't do it, and you will "cook" your T. This is what causes problems, not the placement of it.

How do you believe burrows act during different season? They offer a warm spot during winter, and a cool one during the hotter seasons. With a bit of rational thinking you can mimic it easily and in a very safe way.

Anyway I use to recommend to place it in one side because it's a lot simpler and usually stupid proof. Aniway this way needs to take several precautions too, same as heating the whole room. Every option has benefits and drawbacks.

Couldn't care less about what you're saying that's not what I'm getting at. Don't tell a new keeper it's ok to keep a heat mat under a T it's that simple there are far too many ways it can go wrong. There is no reason at all to use a heat mat underneath a T enclosure. Don't do it that simple.

 

[Dorifto]

I'm gonna share all the information and experience I have, now it's his own decission to use it or not.

I'm not encouraging anybody to use it underneath, but it can be done, and quite safely, now, it's not a method I suggest simply because of it's "complications".

I'm quite fed up of people telling somebody don't do it, just afterward to not to explain them why, that's why I explained it that way.

You don't find it useful? Look elsewhere. You have a different opinion about it? Let's discuss it, everybody wins, the more trusted information we share, the better.

 

[eggsbenedict]

A space heater is going to be your best option, although heat mats are generally not advised, as long as you use it correctly it's fine.
By putting it on a side of the enclosure rather than underneath it, also you don't want to cover the whole side of it.

I have a fairly small enclosure so the smallest heat matt I can find will probably cover all of one side of it, from what I can tell people suggest putting the enclosure within another so the heat matt isn't directly against it.

You can do it, but you need to take a lot of precautions, precautions that most people are not aware off. The way it heats, the way that heat spreads, the material used to spread that heat, the amount of heat, the heated area size, the soil above the heated area, moisture levels, probe placing, the enclosure size... etc. That's why it's not recommended, not because we shouldn't.

People tend to place then beneath and voila, done, wrong! Big mistake.

If you only are providing heat, without providing any temp gradient big enough to allow them to thermorregulate (cool down or heat up), the T will be in serious trouble. Provide those gradients and the T is able to choose where it needs to move, don't do it, and you will "cook" your T. This is what causes problems, not the placement of it.

How do you believe burrows act during different season? They offer a warm spot during winter, and a cool one during the hotter seasons. With a bit of rational thinking you can mimic it easily and in a very safe way.

Anyway I use to recommend to place it in one side because it's a lot simpler and usually stupid proof. Aniway this way needs to take several precautions too, same as heating the whole room. Every option has benefits and drawbacks.

It still advised to place the enclosure within another tub so the matt isn't in direct contact?

 

[Introvertebrate]

A heated micro-climate allows potential for growth. I use an old gutted stand-alone freezer. It's got heat tape along the back wall. There's enough room in there for 30-40 sling enclosures. Right now, I've got two slings, one adult, and a few different feeder experiments going on in there. I often use "belly heat" for feeders. My dubias, for instance, love belly heat. Out of an abundance of caution, I use "side heat" for tarantulas.

 

[Dorifto]

It still advised to place the enclosure within another tub so the matt isn't in direct contact?

That's a good way to keep a lot of small vials or enclosures, but if your enclosure is big enough, you can place it in one side, in contact with the glass (heat mat on the outer side).

Since your enclosure is small, I would get a cabinet and heat it. Just keep in mind that heating enlosed spaces makes the air drier, from a room to a cabinet. This is something to consider to adjust your husbandry.

Could you post come pictures of your setup? So we can give you better or more precise advices.

 

[eggsbenedict]

That's a good way to keep a lot of small vials or enclosures, but if your enclosure is big enough, you can place it in one side, in contact with the glass (heat mat on the outer side).

Since your enclosure is small, I would get a cabinet and heat it. Just keep in mind that heating enlosed spaces makes the air drier, from a room to a cabinet. This is something to consider to adjust your husbandry.

Could you post come pictures of your setup? So we can give you better or more precise advices.

Sure! The dimensions are as follows, L: 26 x D:26 x H:20cm, It's a beginner setup I bought from The Spider Store: https://thespidershop.co.uk/product/invertarium-setup/

 

[Dorifto]

Sure! The dimensions are as follows, L: 26 x D:26 x H:20cm, It's a beginner setup I bought from The Spider Store: https://thespidershop.co.uk/product/invertarium-setup/

You can do both, cabinet or direct placement. Just make sure that in both cases you probide plenty of substrate to burrow and to control the temperature using a thermostat atached to the heat stripe/mat.

Ultratherm offers some small heat stripes that can be placed in one side/back. I'd suggest you to place it in the opposite side of her burrow, to make it simpler to offer good temp and moisture gradients. Don't be fooled by their size, they won't cook your T if a thermostat is placed correctly.

 

[eggsbenedict]

You can do both, cabinet or direct placement. Just make sure that in both cases you probide plenty of substrate to burrow and to control the temperature using a thermostat atached to the heat stripe/mat.

Ultratherm offers some small heat stripes that can be placed in one side/back. I'd suggest you to place it in the opposite side of her burrow, to make it simpler to offer good temp and moisture gradients. Don't be fooled by their size, they won't cook your T if a thermostat is placed correctly.

I'm on a moderately tight budget atm due to my unemployment, I can get a plastic tub farily cheaply and get a heater + thermostat on facebook marketplace for £20. I think the thing I've read that's critical is making sure that the heat matt is on the side and not directly on the enclosure.

 

[Dorifto]

I think the thing I've read that's critical is making sure that the heat matt is on the side and not directly on the enclosure.

They can be placed directly, just make sure that you use a good thermostat that measures the wall's temperature, not the air, this is very important.

I suggested you the heat tape option since it's cheap and a very effective way to provide a heat gradient. Just follow thr previous advices, nothing else. Also the electric bill won't notice it, unlike with the space heater. Do not worry if you don't reach high temps, around 20°C near the heat mat are good enough, also it will be easier for you to keep the rest of the enclosure cooler to allow the T to thermorregulate using the heat gradients.

Along with it, I'd suggest you to get a good topsoil bag, (peat and clay based one) rather than using coco fiber. It will make it easier for you keeping the right conditions inside. Keep the burrow with a bit of moisture and the heated side a bit drier, so it doesn't evaporate so much moisture from it's surroundings.

 

[Introvertebrate]

I'm on a moderately tight budget atm due to my unemployment, I can get a plastic tub farily cheaply and get a heater + thermostat on facebook marketplace for £20. I think the thing I've read that's critical is making sure that the heat matt is on the side and not directly on the enclosure.

You might want to invest in an inexpensive digital infrared thermometer. I wouldn't obsess too much about how you're heating, as long as the inside of the enclosure doesn't exceed the recommended temperature.

 

[eggsbenedict]

They can be placed directly, just make sure that you use a good thermostat that measures the wall's temperature, not the air, this is very important.

I suggested you the heat tape option since it's cheap and a very effective way to provide a heat gradient. Just follow thr previous advices, nothing else. Also the electric bill won't notice it, unlike with the space heater. Do not worry if you don't reach high temps, around 20°C near the heat mat are good enough, also it will be easier for you to keep the rest of the enclosure cooler to allow the T to thermorregulate using the heat gradients.

Along with it, I'd suggest you to get a good topsoil bag, (peat and clay based one) rather than using coco fiber. It will make it easier for you keeping the right conditions inside. Keep the burrow with a bit of moisture and the heated side a bit drier, so it doesn't evaporate so much moisture from it's surroundings.

Just having a bit of difficulty finding heat tape, unless I'm looking at completely the wrong thing, can't seem to find many ultratherm products.

They can be placed directly, just make sure that you use a good thermostat that measures the wall's temperature, not the air, this is very important.

I suggested you the heat tape option since it's cheap and a very effective way to provide a heat gradient. Just follow thr previous advices, nothing else. Also the electric bill won't notice it, unlike with the space heater. Do not worry if you don't reach high temps, around 20°C near the heat mat are good enough, also it will be easier for you to keep the rest of the enclosure cooler to allow the T to thermorregulate using the heat gradients.

Along with it, I'd suggest you to get a good topsoil bag, (peat and clay based one) rather than using coco fiber. It will make it easier for you keeping the right conditions inside. Keep the burrow with a bit of moisture and the heated side a bit drier, so it doesn't evaporate so much moisture from it's surroundings.

Actually, I found a decent sized heat matt: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Reptile-Vi...&hvtargid=pla-2281435177898&gad_source=1&th=1

Would just need to get a thermostat in addition.