Is it okay to wait to buy the enclosure when buying a tarantula at an expo?

F

Fade

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Jan 29, 2018
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I think I may go with hobby lobby display cases as my enclosure and just drill holes in them.
I am not sure what would be at the expo, and not sure whether I'll get an adult or sub-adult or sling as my first tarantula.
So is it okay to wait after I get the T to buy my enclosure? Can I just leave the T in the enclosure it came in for a few days to a week max, of course providing water?
Also is 15.5 x 7 x 6 (lxwxh) okay for a full grown 5-6" tarantula? I believe that is the max size for the hobby lobby display cases.
Thanks.
 
EulersK

EulersK

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Fade said:
Is it okay to wait to buy the enclosure when buying a tarantula at an expo?
Click to expand...
Absolutely, that's fine. You never know what you'll find at an expo, so it's difficult to have an enclosure ready ahead of time.

Fade said:
Can I just leave the T in the enclosure it came in for a few days to a week max, of course providing water?
Click to expand...
A week is severely pushing it. Even a couple days isn't great. I'm sure that most spiders would be fine in the container, but it's a bit cruel to keep them in such an environment for so long. Spiders are sold in tiny deli cups with no hiding spots - it makes them easier to sell, as the customer can actually see what they're buying. But that makes for a horrid enclosure. In the times that I've bought spiders without having an enclosure ready ahead of time, I went out that day and got what I needed.

Notable exceptions would be slings. Those are often sold in 1-5oz deli cups with dirt, which is their ideal enclosure anyway.

Fade said:
Also is 15.5 x 7 x 6 (lxwxh) okay for a full grown 5-6" tarantula? I believe that is the max size for the hobby lobby display cases.
Click to expand...
Width is fine, height is fine, but the width would be quite small for a 6" spider. Consider making your own DIY enclosure. I've made a simple tutorial below. You'd literally only need a drill and a hot glue gun, seeing as your local Lowe's will cut the acrylic for you.

 
F

Fade

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EulersK said:
Absolutely, that's fine. You never know what you'll find at an expo, so it's difficult to have an enclosure ready ahead of time.



A week is severely pushing it. Even a couple days isn't great. I'm sure that most spiders would be fine in the container, but it's a bit cruel to keep them in such an environment for so long. Spiders are sold in tiny deli cups with no hiding spots - it makes them easier to sell, as the customer can actually see what they're buying. But that makes for a horrid enclosure. In the times that I've bought spiders without having an enclosure ready ahead of time, I went out that day and got what I needed.

Notable exceptions would be slings. Those are often sold in 1-5oz deli cups with dirt, which is their ideal enclosure anyway.



Width is fine, height is fine, but the width would be quite small for a 6" spider. Consider making your own DIY enclosure. I've made a simple tutorial below. You'd literally only need a drill and a hot glue gun, seeing as your local Lowe's will cut the acrylic for you.

Click to expand...
I figured the width would be too small. I've watch that video many times but I personally would like a clear look at the T from the sides as well, instead of just the top. Also why haven't you uploaded in a year, I enjoyed the vids. After thinking a bit, I might use a 5.5 gallon aquarium, buy a mesh lid then buy some kind of plastic or something, drill holes in it, then glue it to the mesh lid. 5.5 gallon is about 16x8 is that too small. I feel a 10 gallon is too much space.
Any other suggestion for a display enclosure? I am really struggling to find one. Looking at kritter keepers it seems some are clear while other aren't and it's hard to find out which is which online. I don't want acrylic enclosures as they will warp if having a T that needs some humidity. Not sure what to do.
 
starnaito

starnaito

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If you're considering getting multiple Ts, I really recommend the Exo Terra breeding boxes. They aren't the best display cages because of the black top, but they are much more solid and clearer than Kritter Keepers and are stackable. It would at least make a great temporary enclosure till you find something better.
 
F

Fade

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Messages
102
starnaito said:
If you're considering getting multiple Ts, I really recommend the Exo Terra breeding boxes. They aren't the best display cages because of the black top, but they are much more solid and clearer than Kritter Keepers and are stackable. It would at least make a great temporary enclosure till you find something better.
Click to expand...
Is this what you're talking about?
https://www.amazon.com/Exo-Terra-Breeding-Box-Large/dp/B002JLWNAS?th=1

What size do I use to the size of the T?
Large(16.3 x 10.4)
Medium(11.8 x 7.7)
Small(8 x 8)

Thanks
 
EulersK

EulersK

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Fade said:
After thinking a bit, I might use a 5.5 gallon aquarium, buy a mesh lid then buy some kind of plastic or something, drill holes in it, then glue it to the mesh lid.
Click to expand...
That will work fine, but rather than using glue, drill holes along the edges and thread floral wire through the holes and mesh to hold it in place. Hot glue will loosen over time, I wouldn't trust that alone.
 
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