Is this normal?

[AphonopelmaTX]

I believe it was @AphonopelmaTX that schooled me that the minute you put the tarantula into the enclosure, it makes it bioactive. And @Smotzer that taught the term “planted tank” as more appropriate and descriptive. We are all always still learning.

Yes, bioactive is one of many terms thrown around that makes no sense, even though I understand what is meant by the term. Tarantulas themselves possess bacteria, add food for your tarantula and you have more bacteria, add water then you have even more bacteria and fungus growing in your nice clean soil substrates which in turn provides an organic medium for it all to feed and multiply in. Not too long you have a bioactive enclosure without any effort. I understand adding springtails and isopods is intended to keep the growth of perceived nasties under control, but people need to stop being lazy and use a good old fashioned spoon to clean up every once in a while. Besides, tarantulas have a pretty good immune system to combat pathogens so long as the keeper provides a fairly clean environment for it.

Another term that amuses me is 'moisture dependent' to describe tarantulas that require consistently damp soil to live on. Well, all life is moisture dependent including tarantulas from arid regions of the world and all the perceived nasties like bacteria and fungus. Need a good method to control pathogenic micro organisms and fungus? Let the tarantula tank dry out every once in a while! LOL It's free, takes no effort, and your tarantula- regardless of species- can handle a temporary drought far better than anything growing with it.

The name of the tarantula care game is balance. With adequate ventilation that allows the entire cage to dry out within a few days, and an occasional removal of uneaten prey remains, you can mist the inside and soak the substrate to your heart's content. Doesn't matter which species of tarantula we talk about, the objective is to balance air flow with water and no one has to worry about adding more 'bugs' to your tarantula's cage.

 

[SpookySpooder]

I believe it was @AphonopelmaTX that schooled me that the minute you put the tarantula into the enclosure, it makes it bioactive. And @Smotzer that taught the term “planted tank” as more appropriate and descriptive. We are all always still learning.

Somebody on another forum explained it like this:

An aquarium, (aqua - water), holds water and fish, perhaps some aquatic plants.

A terrarium, (terra - earth), holds substrate and plants.

A vivarium, (viv - life), holds substrate, plants, bugs, and animal life.

A paludarium, (palus - marsh or swamp), incorporates both a land mass, and a water feature. It also generally incorporates animals, bugs, and/or fish.

A riparium, (ripa - riverbank or shoreline), recreates a riverbed or shoreline. Included life is pretty much open to the creator's whim."

My understanding is that a planted tank is any or all of these. So technically a T enclosure with dead moss is a planted tank?

I think "bioactive" is a term the dendrophiles started throwing around to standardize their husbandry. I've not heard it used in any other hobbies besides these few. The gardening crowd and the hydroponics people don't scream about bioactive soil.

"Bioactive" isn't a term we use in Aquaria either, as we fully understand the ecosystem needs to be balanced and the water chemistry fine turned before you can even put a fish in it.

If you want to be technical, the moment you expose the tank to air, there are microbes within it, rendering it "bioactive" by your definition. If you touched it, there are microorganisms and oil from your skin now residing in the enclosure.

As mentioned, you breathe and add water into it, more bio activity. You add plants, animals, organic decaying matter, more bio activity finds it's way in.

I've grown to dislike the term "bioactive" as it isn't specific enough for everyone to know what you're referring to, and by calling a terrarium bioactive and not a fish tank or a handful of dirt, it just implies either these other things aren't bioactive or that your terrarium is somehow MORE bioactive.

Sorry, my post had no point. Just wanted to add my thoughts.

 

[cold blood]

I only mist every couple days when it looks too dry

Here is the thing.

First off, the versi should be kept dry....dry is good, not something to be worried about.

Secondly, misting should NEVER be used as part of husbandry, its something you can do in small amounts just for an easy drinking opportunity.

Too damp is always more potentially dangerous than a little too dry...but as I said, this spider would do better if it was just kept predominantly dry. I have bred this species a few times and raised hundreds of spiderlings....and I would only keep them dry....despite my space heater keeping my room's ambient humidity very very low.

Stop reading care sheets.