Mexican Red Knee

[LILPH1LL]

Im picking one up on thursday and im kind of confused how to setup the tank, ive read many different things but im sure you guys will know for definate as most of you own one
would help alot
thanks

 

[InvertFix]

Im picking one up on thursday and im kind of confused how to setup the tank, ive read many different things but im sure you guys will know for definate as most of you own one
would help alot
thanks

Enclosure set up could differ depending on the size. Is it an adult or sling (baby)?
And you are talking about the B. smithi I presume?

 

[Kazaam]

If it's an adult you should be good to go with a few inch of cocofiber, some hiding spots and a waterdish, if it's cold outside put a heating pad against the side of the tank, not under it.

Make sure that the cocofiber is bone-dry, if it is not it will climb the walls and possibly injure itself.
Make sure that the enclosure isn't too high, 'bout the same height as the tarantulas legspan.

 

[InvertFix]

Let me explain this a tad more thoroughly.

If it is an adult, put it in a terrestrial set up that isn't too large. Fill up with coco coir a few inches, but enough so that if your tarantula's back legs are touching the bottom, be sure that the front legs can touch the top at the same time. This is the recommended measures for terrestrial T's.

DO NOT USE A HEAT PAD. If you are comfortable, so are they. They don't need the extra heat. Tarantula's are more susceptable to heat than the cold. Unless you live in a freezer, there is absolutely no need for a heating pad. Tarantula's are not the weak one, we are.

Also, do NOT use an enclosure with a screen lid. The T's fangs or feet can get stuck in it. (No I'm not just saying that, many have had it happen including myself.)

As an adult you don't really need to worry about the humidity, considering this is a fairly dry species. Treat it like G. rosea. Keep it bone dry and overfill the water dish once a week.

If you are purchasing a sling, make sure to keep it in a terrestrial set up as well. Make sure it cannot fall from far. And with any slings, I keep half of the substrate damp, and the other half dry. To provide ample humidity for molts. As for watering, just mist the side of the enclosure lightly every few days or so. Make sure there is ample ventilation as well. So holes in the top and holes in the sides.

If you need any more information feel free to contact me anytime. I would rather know you are getting proper instructions to care for your new baby.


Happy keeping.
Fix

 

[Storm76]

If it's an adult you should be good to go with a few inch of cocofiber, some hiding spots and a waterdish, if it's cold outside put a heating pad against the side of the tank, not under it.

Make sure that the cocofiber is bone-dry, if it is not it will climb the walls and possibly injure itself.
Make sure that the enclosure isn't too high, 'bout the same height as the tarantulas legspan.

DO NOT USE A HEAT PAD. If you are comfortable, so are they. They don't need the extra heat. Tarantula's are more susceptable to heat than the cold. Unless you live in a freezer, there is absolutely no need for a heating pad. Tarantula's are not the weak one, we are.

I'll never understand why so many of us Europeans want to put heat pads on their tanks...it totally blows my mind. It's absolutely NOT needed!

 

[Kazaam]

I'll never understand why so many of us Europeans want to put heat pads on their tanks...it totally blows my mind. It's absolutely NOT needed!

I only have them on in the winter, it's hard to keep the temperature in your house up when it's 22F outside.

 

[LILPH1LL]

Thanks and i was thinking of getting a young t but not really a sling, could you please just list out everything ill need? would help

 

[Kazaam]

Thanks and i was thinking of getting a young t but not really a sling, could you please just list out everything ill need? would help

A terrarium that isn't too high.
Some bone-dry coconut fiber (a few inches is enough)
A shallow waterdish.
And some hiding spots.

 

[metallica]

here you can find some info about B. smithi in the wild. this might give you some ideas for the tank.

http://mantid.nl/tarantula/smithi.html

 

[Storm76]

Doesn't have to be a real terrarium, if you're short on money, or just fine with housing them "cheap", use a KritterKeeper for example...my B. smithi lives in one and is perfectly fine. Plus, it's available readily, though I'm not sure about the prices over there.... - For T's under 3", I wouldn't suggest that, though. Better some kinda plastic container from the container store. If you want to give acryl a try, you can check on tarantulacages.com or jamiestarantulas.com - both sell enclosures made for T's. OR you can craft you own one even...

Anyways, finding housings for Ts isn't really expensive and you can nearly craft any kind of container into an acceptable housing solution for your T according to size / live-style

 

[H Sapien]

My 4" B. smithi lves in a large flat critter keeper, a few inches of cocoa fiber, a pvc hide and a water dish. I feed and water her once a week.

 

[MikeInNC]

Here's one of my GBB's in a 5"x5"x6" from The Container Store. It cost me maybe $5 (probably less than that) and I'll I had to do was drill holes for ventilation. I do keep a heavy object on the lid, just in case the T's get any funny ideas.



All I had to do was put in enough substrate to get the right "floor to lid" height (I went with 1.5x legspan). As the T gets bigger - during yearly cleanup - I can reduce the amount of substrate to maintain that ratio. When the T gets too big - I'll buy (or make) a bigger enclosure.

Otherwise, there's a small plastic lid (not in the pic) for water, and a piece of PVC for a hide (with 1/5 of the side cut-out so that the T is sitting on substrate.

That's it!

(not a great pic, btw - just the GBB nomming on a cricket)

Have fun!

-Mike in NC