Invert suggestions for unusual new tank

[Scythemantis]

On an impulse I bought a "hanging Beta bowl", then made a lid for it out of velcro:

I want to buy some more, but all I put in this one is a hissing cockroach. What would you guys use one of these for?

 

[Vermis]

Can't make head or tail of it too well... sorry! Is it a hemisphere that sticks to a surface?

 

[Scythemantis]

It's a plastic hemisphere that hangs on the wall. That's a front view.

 

[iturnrocks]

basically its a fish tank that hangs on the wall. It has an open top, so he used velcro to close it up so inverts dont escape.

 

[Scorpendra]

i'd keep a small true spider in there, like a jumper or a wolf. also a widow, but that'd be going outside what i can have.

if you get a few of those, you could get some exotic roaches besides hissers. some of them are quite pretty to look at and still sold in bunches. except rhinos.

 

[Stylopidae]

I'd go for a widow. I think a widow set up with a twig and with a gravel or sand substrate would look awesome in that.

 

[Scythemantis]

Yeah its shape is perfect for web building spiders...might also try cave roaches. I plan to get a couple.

But, it took an entire $10 roll of sticky velcro stuff to make the lid...ouch. The tanks themselves are $20, which is a little much when the only other thing they include is a packet of crappy gravel and a tiny fake plant.

 

[RVS]

Are those Monsters In My Pocket :razz:?
Yeah, I'd try a Latrodectus sp.

 

[Scorpendra]

if you decide on getting a web builder, i suggest taking a look at Todd Gearheart's inventory. he has a lot of US-native spiders, inculding four Latrodectus.

 

[bugmankeith]

Are those Monsters In My Pocket ?

Looks like Dragon Warrior Monster figures.

I think a spider would be great in that setup, but i'm sure you know other critters to keep too.

 

[Scythemantis]

Nah, they're "Monster in my Pocket" alright, old school 90's (they were recently remade in the UK, in full color and more gruesome detail). My house is caked with toys and Halloween stuff in every corner.

The big blank wall of my dining room would be perfect for three of these arranged in an attractive slant. I could put them on doors, too. The possibilities are endless!

There's a lot of other interesting tanks they make for Betas even though a fish is the LAST thing I would try to keep in something like this. They have spherical ones that hang from your ceiling by a chain, too.

 

[Selenops]

if you decide on getting a web builder, i suggest taking a look at Todd Gearheart's inventory. he has a lot of US-native spiders, inculding four Latrodectus.

There's alot great sources in classifieds or members here on the board and yes, Todd Gearheart has the best selection of native true spiders around. He always has something on hand and literally treat oneself to a grab-bag.

Personally, a Latro or Spiny Weaver?

 

[cacoseraph]

a burrower!

i could see a sweet ass burrow system put to good display in that shape tank

not sure about the velcro top though... each individual crochet hook thingy doesn't have *that* much strength and a patient bug could conceivably work a corner up and escape. a centipede would do it in a heartbeat i bet =P

edit:

holy crap! i remember those plastic figures! i bet i spent half a years allowance on the damn things!

oh.... and/or M.U.S.C.L.E.S. or something like that

 

[Scythemantis]

Actually this is heavy-duty velcro for mounting objects to office walls or sticking things to the dashboard of a car. From the force I have to exert to rip it off I'd say even a cat or small dog would have a hell of a time pushing this stuff apart.

It comes in a roll with a sticky back, so what I did was cut strips of the plastic part into a border around the tank's opening, then cut rectangles of the fuzzy part and stuck them back-to-back before cutting it into shape.

 

[Alakdan]

Can you post a picture of the top without the velcro?

I would probably make a lid out of wood and screen, or an acrylic cover. You may attach a rim sealed with silicone. This will come out cheaper and look better than velcro.

 

[Scythemantis]

The problem is the opening isn't flat. A wood top would be pretty hard to do -

 

[Wade]

How about aquatic insects like a waterscorpion? They generall won't leave the tank as long as the water level is an inch or so below the rim. No top needed!

Wade

 

[Scythemantis]

Ooh, that would certainly work, and be very visible! Or maybe a smallish toe-biter. The giant waterbug I used to have seemed to like leaving the water and sitting for extended periods of time, though. I could have some stiff plastic plants breaking the water.

 

[Wade]

The small Belastoma species would be perfect, and you could likely dip net them easily. They're abount an inch long or a bit less and you might be able to even keep two in there. They can fly if they can climb out above the water, so your plants shouldn't stick out too far.

Instead of plastic plants, try some java moss or java fern. Both of these do well with only ambiant room light, and they also help absorb excess ammonia in the water between water changes.

Wade