Is it necessary to change the substrate?

[Roland Slinger]

Hi all, I've had two T's for 2-3 years now and I'm wondering if and when changing the substrate is needed.

Can the same substrate be used throughout the T's life? I don't see a reason to change it really, maybe just shuffle the top, but I'm afraid to do that because one is a hair flicker and the other is a pretty aggressive biter, I've never handled either of them and scared to death they'll run out of the cage or something.. that won't be fun since I'm scared of 'em lol

 

[Alexandra V]

As long as you do proper spot cleaning, then you shouldn't have to do a huge cleaning very often AT ALL. The only time you should do some thorough cleanings (i.e. taking out all the substrate etc.) is if you notice mold starting to form really, or if you end up with mites. Otherwise you may only have to change the substrate a handful of times in the tarantula's life. I won't say never, but it certainly isn't often.

 

[Tym Hollerup]

As long as you do proper spot cleaning, then you shouldn't have to do a huge cleaning very often AT ALL. The only time you should do some thorough cleanings (i.e. taking out all the substrate etc.) is if you notice mold starting to form really, or if you end up with mites. Otherwise you may only have to change the substrate a handful of times in the tarantula's life. I won't say never, but it certainly isn't often.

Now to my understanding (correct me if I'm wrong obviously), even in the case of mold or mites, there is a way to cure that problem without actually having to remove the T is there not? Like drying out the substrate, using Isopods, or some other methods?

 

[Alexandra V]

Now to my understanding (correct me if I'm wrong obviously), even in the case of mold or mites, there is a way to cure that problem without actually having to remove the T is there not? Like drying out the substrate, using Isopods, or some other methods?

To be honest I'm not sure if there are ways of doing it without completely removing the substrate as far as parasites. I've had mold issues with my X. Immanis (it already came with substrate that I guess was old and it started to grow some loveliness) and I just completely removed the substrate and gave it a clean enclosure and cleaned all the furniture very thoroughly, and it never came back.

To the best of my knowledge, keeping substrate dry and adding isopods will help prevent the problems with mold and mites, but I don't know if they will work if the problem is already present. :S

 

[gmrpnk21]

You need damp substrate to keep isopods alive... Baking substrate definitely kills mold!

 

[Midknight xrs]

As far as substrate changing goes, there is no need as long as it is kept clean in some manner such as spot cleaning, natural cleaning like isopods or collembola, and drying out. Mold is not as detrimental to many of our inverts as some think. All of our T's, scorps have all lived with it in the real world, so that shouldn't effect our inverts.

As for prepping your T's to move their substrate, get them to go into their hides. I typically blow on their cages that way they are not as spooked when you go into their cages. The hair flickers should not be an issue since most of the hairs will have settled into any webbing they spin. just make sure you give them an opportunity to hide, if you do that they will hide and you should be fine without instance, just remember they are there and can be spooked again.

 

[jgod790]

In my opinion, I think its best if you change the substrate once a year for humid enclosures, and maybe only once every 2 years for dry enclosures. You Don't have to handle your tarantulas to remove them. Just Scoop them up in a deli cup.

 

[Tym Hollerup]

In my opinion, I think its best if you change the substrate once a year for humid enclosures, and maybe only once every 2 years for dry enclosures. You Don't have to handle your tarantulas to remove them. Just Scoop them up in a deli cup.

Which can sometimes be harder than it sounds for Old World species. :evil:;P:evil:

 

[Lopez]

Changing substrate is completely unnecessary in my experience. I don't understand what is achieved by renewing the soil. I don't "spot clean" either.

I have coir substrate from 2002 in some tanks.

 

[fartkowski]

Changing substrate is completely unnecessary in my experience. I don't understand what is achieved by renewing the soil. I don't "spot clean" either.

I have coir substrate from 2002 in some tanks.

I'm the same way.
Usually, the only way I change substrate is when I'm putting them into a bigger tank.

 

[jgod790]

Which can sometimes be harder than it sounds for Old World species. :evil:;P:evil:

Well maybe my old worlds are just weird, cause my H. lividum, and my P. murinus won't so much as show a threat posture if I gently scoop them up in a deli cup. I have more issues with my G. Pulchripes then any of my T's.

 

[Tym Hollerup]

I somehow have mold growing at the bottom left corner (where the spiders burrow sits more or less), and I'm worried about getting the T out of there and taking care of the mold. Or if there's any way to get rid of the mold without having to remove the spider at all. It's a P. lugadi.

 

[jgod790]

I somehow have mold growing at the bottom left corner (where the spiders burrow sits more or less), and I'm worried about getting the T out of there and taking care of the mold. Or if there's any way to get rid of the mold without having to remove the spider at all. It's a P. lugadi.

Well I'm no professional, but in my experience, if you start pouring water in the burrow, they usually come out. But they are usually pissed off to. So maybe if you can remove your P. lugadi, then maybe just scoop out the part with mold on it. If you can get a spoon in the burrow.

 

[Lopez]

Personally I would just ignore the mould. I've had mushrooms growing in one of my P.regalis tanks for about 6 months now