How to keep substrate "moist/damp" without being "wet"

[mistertim]

So this is mostly for future info. At the moment I don't really have any Ts that *require* moist sub (South American tropicals, etc), however I am sure in the future I will so I was wondering how those of you that keep those genera that need moist sub keep it moist or damp without being too wet. In the past when I've done that for slings, I've had some success eventually but only with trial and error as it usually ends up that the water travels to the bottom and just sits there being wet without the whole sub itself having some moisture without being soggy. Obviously mixing it up after wetting it would help, but that's a bit of a big stress inducer to the spiders.

 

[Venom1080]

having the bottem layers wet is what you want. thats what moist sub is. i suppose misting can wet the top layers but drys quickly.

 

[Chris LXXIX]

I will tell you what works (and always worked) for me, man. Last was on June for my (seriously badass) S.subspinipes.

First, I do not cover, nor partially cover, the ventilation/air part at all, like a lot of people do. I prepare the set up a good 6/7 days prior placing the invert.

I drop the substrate in the enclosure (always a lot of inches, from a min. of 7 to max 12 for my P.muticus <--- just for saying, now, I know she doesn't require a particular humidity need) mixing that with an hint of vermiculite (fine grain one).

I use that for mantain humidity. Water. Substrate should be moist (moist, never wet). Substrate again. Water, again. A piece of cork bark. Done.

When the Arachnid, or Centipede, arrive/s, transfer & water dish. That's what works, pretty well, for me.

After I mantain the right level directly pouring room temperature water into the substrate, with a pipette.

 

[YagerManJennsen]

So this is mostly for future info. At the moment I don't really have any Ts that *require* moist sub (South American tropicals, etc), however I am sure in the future I will so I was wondering how those of you that keep those genera that need moist sub keep it moist or damp without being too wet. In the past when I've done that for slings, I've had some success eventually but only with trial and error as it usually ends up that the water travels to the bottom and just sits there being wet without the whole sub itself having some moisture without being soggy. Obviously mixing it up after wetting it would help, but that's a bit of a big stress inducer to the spiders.

If i am rehousing or getting a new T that needs moist/damp substrate, Sometimes I start with it dry, put it inn the enclosure that I want to use with nothing else in and add water little by little ( or however much you think is necessary) and keep mixing. That way the water is evenly distributed and it does not get to wet because you can manage the amount you out it. Other times I start with the eco earth bricks and add water until they break apart. As far as keeping it moist, I just pour some water over it and it soaks through but not enough to where it becomes swampy.

 

[mistertim]

I will tell you what works (and always worked) for me, man. Last was on June for my (seriously badass) S.subspinipes.

First, I do not cover, nor partially cover, the ventilation/air part at all, like a lot of people do. I prepare the set up a good 6/7 days prior placing the invert.

I drop the substrate in the enclosure (always a lot of inches, from a min. of 7 to max 12 for my P.muticus <--- just for saying, now, I know she doesn't require a particular humidity need) mixing that with an hint of vermiculite (fine grain one).

I use that for mantain humidity. Water. Substrate should be moist (moist, never wet). Substrate again. Water, again. A piece of cork bark. Done.

When the Arachnid, or Centipede, arrive/s, transfer & water dish. That's what works, pretty well, for me.

After I mantain the right level directly pouring room temperature water into the substrate, with a pipette.

This seems really cool. So you set it up originally in layers and that helps keep the humidity and then water the top every so often? Do the bottom layers generally just stay moist after the initial setup or do you need to somehow replenish the moisture of the lower layers at some point?

 

[Chris LXXIX]

This seems really cool. So you set it up originally in layers and that helps keep the humidity and then water the top every so often? Do the bottom layers generally just stay moist after the initial setup or do you need to somehow replenish the moisture of the lower layers at some point?

Yes. Remain moist because I add, while putting the substrate & watering, vermiculite fine grain, that really helps me to mantain the right level. After I rely on my "eyes" for that, when I have to pour the water.

M.robustum, S.subspinipes, E.murinus, H.gigas, 'Haplo' and genus Chilobrachys in the past... always did/do that way.

 

[Chris LXXIX]

Just for give you the idea, mistertim. Now the quality of the picture doesn't give justice -- I don't have super HD quality smartphone or else eh eh :-s
but this is where my female M.robustum lives. Now, more than two years, and the bottom is still moist. The little white dot are the vermiculite I add (it's not a 50/50 at all, more a 95/5 thing).

 

[Ellenantula]

I only have one T that needs things moister/more humid. I just thoroughly wet 1/3 of substrate, slowly. If I manage to overdo it -- there is enough dry substrate remaining to absorb the overflow and prevent a muddy swamp.
I also try to keep this tank particularly clean as damp conditions can cause all sorts of problems with mould, mites, etc..

 

[ropota]

I have a 1 inch Avic. I keep ground moist be light misting about every 4 days and some moss in the cage to keep the humidity up. Also the water bowl helps with humidity.

 

[Poec54]

I randomly sprinkle water on the substrate (with a water bottle); it gets absorbed. As long as you don't overdo it, it won't get soggy. If you're not sure, do a moderate amount and see what it looks like the next day.