Making of a 'tarantula room'

[TenebrisAvicularia]

It's something that I've thought about for when I inevitably have more than just two or three new world tarantulas. I want to dedicate a full space for my hobby, for multiple reasons. A room with shelves, a spacial heater for the winter and all my spiders in it. I can seal off the room during rehouses if needed, which is a big reason why I want to have it. With my current setup, I rehoused my smaller tarantula on my bed, it went without issue. But if I decided to keep a faster, more skittish species, I could easily lose it in the house. I know that I would never forgive myself, and I also live in dogs. So having a mostly cleared room that I can easily confine an attempted bolter in would give me peace of mind. Are there any extra tips and things I should consider for when I set up a T room in the future?

 

[viper69]

Depends on how many square feet the room is

 

[Brewser]

Dedicating an entire room would be awesome, plenty of shelving et cetera.

Suggest aquiring a 'Stud Finder' and marking out where to attach loadbearing supports.

Much planning ahead of you.

Happy Renovating, Happy New Year

p.s... Doesn't have to be limited to Arachnids... It could / would include Beasts with Backbones as Well.

 

[Arachnophobphile]

It's something that I've thought about for when I inevitably have more than just two or three new world tarantulas. I want to dedicate a full space for my hobby, for multiple reasons. A room with shelves, a spacial heater for the winter and all my spiders in it. I can seal off the room during rehouses if needed, which is a big reason why I want to have it. With my current setup, I rehoused my smaller tarantula on my bed, it went without issue. But if I decided to keep a faster, more skittish species, I could easily lose it in the house. I know that I would never forgive myself, and I also live in dogs. So having a mostly cleared room that I can easily confine an attempted bolter in would give me peace of mind. Are there any extra tips and things I should consider for when I set up a T room in the future?

You don't need a T room for a few T's. When you start getting up to 30+ with the intent to get more then it should be considered.

I've rehoused extremely fast T's out in the main area just fine. If one bolted and escaped I would never find it, too many places to hide. It's all about refining your technique to rehousing then you can worry less about a bolt and escape.

 

[TenebrisAvicularia]

You don't need a T room for a few T's. When you start getting up to 30+ with the intent to get more then it should be considered.

I've rehoused extremely fast T's out in the main area just fine. If one bolted and escaped I would never find it, too many places to hide. It's all about refining your technique to rehousing then you can worry less about a bolt and escape.

Makes sense. I plan on making more efficient catch cups, and I usually use the same technique that Tom Moran does. With the room, I definitely won't be making it any time soon. But it's something that I think would be awesome to have once I get the space and supplies to customize it. I would love to keep double-digit spiders and a few scorpions, having a whole room for it makes it even better.

 

[Arachnophobphile]

Makes sense. I plan on making more efficient catch cups, and I usually use the same technique that Tom Moran does. With the room, I definitely won't be making it any time soon. But it's something that I think would be awesome to have once I get the space and supplies to customize it. I would love to keep double-digit spiders and a few scorpions, having a whole room for it makes it even better.

Yeah that would be cool.

There was a keeper years ago that posted pics, (not here where I seen it) that built an add-on to his house which was going to be his T room. He did a helluva job, came out real nice. Forgot how many T's he had but it was alot.

 

[Gevo]

Enclosures can be heavy if there’s a lot of dirt in them or if they’re made of glass, so I’d look at utility shelves made to withstand higher loads.

Also consider a space for the rehousing itself and for supply storage. I like how Dave from Dave’s Little Beasties and Tom from Tom’s Big Spiders have a table or counter or something for rehouses. Whatever it is, it provides lots of space to put new and old enclosures close to each other and to allow for safe recaptures if anything bolts. And if you’re planning to have a large collection, you’ll want to also have a good stock of enclosures of many sizes and setup types, hides, and substrate on hand to rehouse things as they grow or to have places to house specimens you pick up at shows or get as freebies with orders. If you like to DIY your enclosures, consider supplies for that too. You’ll probably want to take advantage of sales when you see them instead of doing that all one at a time as you add to your collection.

 

[spideyspinneret78]

I agree with using utility shelves. If you have a lot of enclosures, you need something sturdy that'll help you maximize space. They're also cheaper. Also nice to have a station with all your supplies. Plus, it's so much fun to decorate that room to your liking! My spider room is my sanctuary where I can care for my animals and escape from the chaos of the world.

 

[bwhatch22]

So having a mostly cleared room that I can easily confine an attempted bolter in would give me peace of mind. Are there any extra tips and things.....

get or make a still air box. I bought one on amazon for 30 bucks .

 

[Introvertebrate]

get or make a still air box. I bought one on amazon for 30 bucks .

I thought about that, but are the gloves fang resistant? Some of our critters can leave a mark.

 

[bwhatch22]

...

 

[LucN]

For reference's sake, rehouses are best made on the floor, such as the bathroom. Plan accordingly with a catch cup. But typically with NW Ts, unless it's a zippy arboreal (I've seen Avicularia and Caribena move surprisingly fast, nevermind Psalmopoeus and other genera) or some skittish ones such as Neoholothele incei, you shouldn't have major issues. Probably the worst thing will be the T's refusal to move, which happened with my G. rosea several years back. When that happens, wait a few minutes and try again. Do NOT rush your spider, it'll move when it wants to.

 

[Introvertebrate]

..................Probably the worst thing will be the T's refusal to move, which happened with my G. rosea several years back. When that happens, wait a few minutes and try again..............

I spritz my A. genic with water if I want her out of the way. It's pretty much the only thing that will get her in her hide at this point. She'll attack anything solid that I touch her with. She thinks it's food.

 

[Ratmosphere]

Biggest thing is for the room to have a stable temp, not too much direct sunlight, and not a lot of "cracks" between the floor trim and the wall.

I miss my old home, the tarantula room here was one of my favorites.

 

[Introvertebrate]

Biggest thing is for the room to have a stable temp, not too much direct sunlight, and not a lot of "cracks" between the floor trim and the wall.

I miss my old home, the tarantula room here was one of my favorites.

My tarantula area has so many nooks and crannies, if one of my arboreals ever got out, I'd never find it again.

 

[fcat]

I have a T room...and it's the last place I do rehouses...because of all the shelves and enclosures I would have to move out in order to find an escaped T. So budget space for something like this...I chose to fill it with tarantulas.

Other things I wish I could do/want to work towards...basically anything @l4nsky has in his room. Stalk his profile for keeper goals.

 

[Ratmosphere]

My tarantula area has so many nooks and crannies, if one of my arboreals ever got out, I'd never find it again.

Same with my room now! For maintenance, I need to take my fast species downstairs where the floor space is much more open.

 

[Wompous]

My T's are in my shop as that was agreement between my wife and I. Its fully heated and cooled and my offcie is their as well. Nice also only a couple steps from my house. I have 18 tanks and room if I go stand alone shelving to hundreds more. Ample power for lighting and back up modulating heat lamps. I have a huge shop table that is cleared when doing anything in the tanks. But when removing a T from a tank to rehouse or just redo the setup in general I 100% of the time go to the floor with the tank and remove the T on the ground with 10ft of open space in all 4 directions. Its nice to have the space and confidence that no one is getting lost or escaping or dropped. I have no arboreals and am thinking of starting off with 6 different spieces. Suntiger, p Metallica, etc. No featherbone for me! Saw too many videos of that PYSCHO!

 

[bwhatch22]

ts nice to have the space and confidence that no one is getting lost or escaping or dropped.

I can't even tell you much easier and less stressful my old world rehouses was after I spent 30 bucks on a still air box. if one happens to make a break for it there is nowhere for them to go, they have to stay right in the box.

Amazon.com: CCGRTART Still Air Box 35.5x23.5x23.5inch Mushroom Growing kit-Mushroom Grow Bags Portable Mycology Fume Hood Propagation Stations,Mushroom Grow Tent(Blue) : Patio, Lawn & Garden

 

[Introvertebrate]

I can't even tell you much easier and less stressful my old world rehouses was after I spent 30 bucks on a still air box. if one happens to make a break for it there is nowhere for them to go, they have to stay right in the box.

Amazon.com: CCGRTART Still Air Box 35.5x23.5x23.5inch Mushroom Growing kit-Mushroom Grow Bags Portable Mycology Fume Hood Propagation Stations,Mushroom Grow Tent(Blue) : Patio, Lawn & Garden

Do you wear gloves when you stick your hands in there?