Need help with my GBB

[GlizzyGladiator]

Ordered a 2.5 inch GBB about 6 weeks ago. I originally housed him/her in a 8x8x11 enclosure with reptisoil substrate filled about halfway to the top. provided a hide, water dish, and anchor points. He did fine in there, used the hide, had aggressive feeding response and webbed out a bit (although choosing to mostly ignore the provided anchor points and instead attach to the glass of the enclosure lol). Well, one day I screwed up and thought adding more substrate to the enclosure was a good idea, and I read top soil is fine so I bought some from home depot and and added an extra inch or two. Once I did that the GBB avoided the new substrate at all costs and kinda webbed himself over in the corner while standing on the side of the glass. seemed to be avoiding the new substrate at all costs.

So I figured he didnt like the top soil for some reason and I needed to rehouse. So I bought a 12x12x12 exoterra and a big bag of the eco-earth coconut fiber after I read its a great chose for substrate. I knew the enclosure was kinda big but figured this way I would never have to re-house him again. Well he was in there for 2 weeks. the whole 2 weeks not doing much of anything. he webbed himself up in a corner and never came out to explore. spent all his time an inch or so above the substrate surrounded in a small amount of weebing. wasnt interested in eating at all even when a cricket wandered directly in front of him, probably never even found the water dish or hide. I figured the enclosure was too large. So I rehoused him again into a smaller critter keeper with just some anchor points and a water dish. during this re-house he was much slower moving and didnt bolt or kick hairs like he did on the first re-house. Hes been in there for about 6 days now and has done nothing but make a little web hammock on top of a stick in the enclosure and hasnt moved since. I have since not tried to feed him and have left him completely alone aside turning on a light to check on him.

Im just kinda worried and wondering if there is anything else I should do for it other than just leaving it alone and hoping for the best. attached some photos of the enclosure and spider.

 

[TLSizzle]

It looks plenty fat. So no need to worry yet about it eating. And sometimes they take a while to settle in. The more you move it, the longer it may take to settle down.
Just observe it and perhaps leave some water drops on it's web to drink.

 

[GlizzyGladiator]

It looks plenty fat. So no need to worry yet about it eating. And sometimes they take a while to settle in. The more you move it, the longer it may take to settle down.
Just observe it and perhaps leave some water drops on it's web to drink.

I was thinking the same about the water droplets. will be a little tricky to do as hes right at the opening, but ill figure something out. Guess I was just alarmed as when I first got him in the mail he made himself at home in the first enclosure within like 2 days. Last question, Should I bother trying to add a hide to that current enclosure or wait a while on that? I read they will just make their own if not provided. Also dont want to disturb it further.

 

[dman13760]

I think there's a good chance your T is in premolt. It may be trying to find some security by finding a secluded corner to web itself up in, however you keep rehousing it which forces it to go through the whole process all over again. I would leave him alone

 

[TLSizzle]

I was thinking the same about the water droplets. will be a little tricky to do as hes right at the opening, but ill figure something out. Guess I was just alarmed as when I first got him in the mail he made himself at home in the first enclosure within like 2 days. Last question, Should I bother trying to add a hide to that current enclosure or wait a while on that? I read they will just make their own if not provided. Also dont want to disturb it further.

I wouldn't worry about a hide. Just leave it be for a bit and see what it does. I agree that it might be in pre molt.

 

[GlizzyGladiator]

I think there's a good chance your T is in premolt. It may be trying to find some security by finding a secluded corner to web itself up in, however you keep rehousing it which forces it to go through the whole process all over again. I would leave him alone

Think thats the best option. Glad I came here for more opinions as people over on the tarantulas reddit were saying to take him out AGAIN and used a different substrate as GBB's hate coconut fiber.

 

[TLSizzle]

They just need dry sub. I use a coconut fiber mix with my GBB and once it's webbed where it pleases, it doesn't really touch the floor anyway.
You're doing fine. Just maybe wait a while to rehouse again

 

[SpookySpooder]

Curious what kind of top soil did you use?

Doesn't sound like something is seriously wrong. Maybe just adjusting to the environment or getting ready to molt.

GBB's don't like wet substrate IME. Mine will stand on the walls or webbing after I flood the water dish occasionally.

 

[GlizzyGladiator]

Curious what kind of top soil did you use?

Doesn't sound like something is seriously wrong. Maybe just adjusting to the environment or getting ready to molt.

GBB's don't like wet substrate IME. Mine will stand on the walls or webbing after I flood the water dish occasionally.

it was earth grow topsoil from homedepot. like $1.50 for a big ole bag.

 

[SpookySpooder]

Wow, the cheapest Earth Gro bag in my area is pushing $5.

Are you using the bag with all the fertilizers, animal manure, and chopped wood bits?

If you are, I wouldn't.

 

[Arachnophobphile]

Ordered a 2.5 inch GBB about 6 weeks ago. I originally housed him/her in a 8x8x11 enclosure with reptisoil substrate filled about halfway to the top. provided a hide, water dish, and anchor points. He did fine in there, used the hide, had aggressive feeding response and webbed out a bit (although choosing to mostly ignore the provided anchor points and instead attach to the glass of the enclosure lol). Well, one day I screwed up and thought adding more substrate to the enclosure was a good idea, and I read top soil is fine so I bought some from home depot and and added an extra inch or two. Once I did that the GBB avoided the new substrate at all costs and kinda webbed himself over in the corner while standing on the side of the glass. seemed to be avoiding the new substrate at all costs.

So I figured he didnt like the top soil for some reason and I needed to rehouse. So I bought a 12x12x12 exoterra and a big bag of the eco-earth coconut fiber after I read its a great chose for substrate. I knew the enclosure was kinda big but figured this way I would never have to re-house him again. Well he was in there for 2 weeks. the whole 2 weeks not doing much of anything. he webbed himself up in a corner and never came out to explore. spent all his time an inch or so above the substrate surrounded in a small amount of weebing. wasnt interested in eating at all even when a cricket wandered directly in front of him, probably never even found the water dish or hide. I figured the enclosure was too large. So I rehoused him again into a smaller critter keeper with just some anchor points and a water dish. during this re-house he was much slower moving and didnt bolt or kick hairs like he did on the first re-house. Hes been in there for about 6 days now and has done nothing but make a little web hammock on top of a stick in the enclosure and hasnt moved since. I have since not tried to feed him and have left him completely alone aside turning on a light to check on him.

Im just kinda worried and wondering if there is anything else I should do for it other than just leaving it alone and hoping for the best. attached some photos of the enclosure and spider.

There is alot of issues going on here. Chromatopelma cyaneopubescens has some of the easiest husbandry requirements. IMO even easier than usual recommended beginner T's.

First issue is the topsoil. You can't just use any brand of topsoil. Timberland is usually recommended, non-organic. Topsoil also has to be baked to kill off anything that might be alive in it. Nematodes anyone?

It is also recommended to add sphagnum moss, vermiculite maybe a little aquarium safe sand to the mixture.

Chromatopelma cyaneopubescens also prefer dry substrate not moisten sub.

Your idea of semi-arboreal setup is correct, for an adult gbb not a 2.5 inch. I recommend at least 3 to 4 inches of sub if your 2.5 inch Juvie gbb wants to make a burrow. Sometimes they do and alot of times they don't but it's still a good idea to provide the option.

Gbb's at that size take time to completely web up their enclosure it doesn't happen overnight, in a few days or even weeks.

Provide a deep water dish not a shallow one. Overflow it like once or twice a month. My gbb will hover over the water dish once in a great while to drink and absorb some moisture.

You have over stressed your T with constant rehousing, more than likely moist sub and the wrong sub. I would advise against reptisoil for T's. That's formulated for reptiles not invertebrates. I'm also not a huge fan of Eco Earth.

You do not want to use coco fiber bricks that you have to hydrate unless you are planning on drying alot of it not all out.

 

[GlizzyGladiator]

There is alot of issues going on here. Chromatopelma cyaneopubescens has some of the easiest husbandry requirements. IMO even easier than usual recommended beginner T's.

First issue is the topsoil. You can't just use any brand of topsoil. Timberland is usually recommended, non-organic. Topsoil also has to be baked to kill off anything that might be alive in it. Nematodes anyone?

It is also recommended to add sphagnum moss, vermiculite maybe a little aquarium safe sand to the mixture.

Chromatopelma cyaneopubescens also prefer dry substrate not moisten sub.

Your idea of semi-arboreal setup is correct, for an adult gbb not a 2.5 inch. I recommend at least 3 to 4 inches of sub if your 2.5 inch Juvie gbb wants to make a burrow. Sometimes they do and alot of times they don't but it's still a good idea to provide the option.

Gbb's at that size take time to completely web up their enclosure it doesn't happen overnight, in a few days or even weeks.

Provide a deep water dish not a shallow one. Overflow it like once or twice a month. My gbb will hover over the water dish once in a great while to drink and absorb some moisture.

You have over stressed your T with constant rehousing, more than likely moist sub and the wrong sub. I would advise against reptisoil for T's. That's formulated for reptiles not invertebrates. I'm also not a huge fan of Eco Earth.

You do not want to use coco fiber bricks that you have to hydrate unless you are planning on drying alot of it not all out.

I am using the coco fiber that was alredy expanded and sold in the bag. dried out. the GBB was only around the top soil for about 2 or 3 days before I took him out and put him on the bone dry coco fiber.

 

[Arachnophobphile]

I am using the coco fiber that was alredy expanded and sold in the bag. dried out. the GBB was only around the top soil for about 2 or 3 days before I took him out and put him on the bone dry coco fiber.

Ok, well that's better thanks for clarifying that. That's excellent, that's what I use for sub for mine is bagged loose dry coco fiber. It wouldn't hurt to slightly moisten a corner.

Ok thanks for clarifying that. The way it read off was like you were constantly rehousing back-to-back.

 

[viper69]

I don’t see a question, just a story of thoughts

Btw this species has feeding responses as described- norma

 

[IntermittentSygnal]

I’d put a lot more substrate in there. Fill it to twice his DLS. Moving him so often has likely stressed him out, but it may be that’s he’s making a molt mat. Last I moved mine, he webbed up a corner and molted 2 weeks later.

 

[TarantulaMan138]

Ordered a 2.5 inch GBB about 6 weeks ago. I originally housed him/her in a 8x8x11 enclosure with reptisoil substrate filled about halfway to the top. provided a hide, water dish, and anchor points. He did fine in there, used the hide, had aggressive feeding response and webbed out a bit (although choosing to mostly ignore the provided anchor points and instead attach to the glass of the enclosure lol). Well, one day I screwed up and thought adding more substrate to the enclosure was a good idea, and I read top soil is fine so I bought some from home depot and and added an extra inch or two. Once I did that the GBB avoided the new substrate at all costs and kinda webbed himself over in the corner while standing on the side of the glass. seemed to be avoiding the new substrate at all costs.

So I figured he didnt like the top soil for some reason and I needed to rehouse. So I bought a 12x12x12 exoterra and a big bag of the eco-earth coconut fiber after I read its a great chose for substrate. I knew the enclosure was kinda big but figured this way I would never have to re-house him again. Well he was in there for 2 weeks. the whole 2 weeks not doing much of anything. he webbed himself up in a corner and never came out to explore. spent all his time an inch or so above the substrate surrounded in a small amount of weebing. wasnt interested in eating at all even when a cricket wandered directly in front of him, probably never even found the water dish or hide. I figured the enclosure was too large. So I rehoused him again into a smaller critter keeper with just some anchor points and a water dish. during this re-house he was much slower moving and didnt bolt or kick hairs like he did on the first re-house. Hes been in there for about 6 days now and has done nothing but make a little web hammock on top of a stick in the enclosure and hasnt moved since. I have since not tried to feed him and have left him completely alone aside turning on a light to check on him.

Im just kinda worried and wondering if there is anything else I should do for it other than just leaving it alone and hoping for the best. attached some photos of the enclosure and spider.

Get all of that new substrate out of there! Most Topsoils and things like that will contain fertilizers and things that are either man-made or just not good and not organic or completely organic like derivatives and things like that and you can't use anything for a live animal especially if it's something that's going to be bioactive or has microorganisms that doesn't contain completely organic things that is probably why it's avoiding it completely and could possibly be harmful so be careful but I would advise to get that out of your terrarium and just add something like reptile soil or jungle mix or even forest floor or just more cocoa fiber sterile of course after getting rid of that Home Depot stuff. Hope this helps and Hope your buddy feels better.

 

[SpookySpooder]

I would advise against reptisoil for T's. That's formulated for reptiles not invertebrates. I'm also not a huge fan of Eco Earth.

You do not want to use coco fiber bricks that you have to hydrate unless you are planning on drying alot of it not all out.

Any particular reason for this?

I'm using reptisoil mixed with coco fiber bricks (rehydrated for expansion and then dehydrated again before mixing) with a bit of sphagnum moss and sand, sprinkled with a bit of leaf litter on top.

I could not find any clean topsoil or alternatives.

 

[Ultum4Spiderz]

Any particular reason for this?

I'm using reptisoil mixed with coco fiber bricks (rehydrated for expansion and then dehydrated again before mixing) with a bit of sphagnum moss and sand, sprinkled with a bit of leaf litter on top.

I could not find any clean topsoil or alternatives.

I don’t see anything wrong with it, perhaps there’s more information known about this soil. Personally I use top soil and eco earth. I got a bag of coco fiber at the seed shop it was high quality.

ReptiSoil™ | Zoo Med Laboratories, Inc.

zoomed.com

 

[Arachnophobphile]

Any particular reason for this?

I'm using reptisoil mixed with coco fiber bricks (rehydrated for expansion and then dehydrated again before mixing) with a bit of sphagnum moss and sand, sprinkled with a bit of leaf litter on top.

I could not find any clean topsoil or alternatives.

For me it's the fact that it has peat moss in it. I don't like peat moss and the compaction issue causing water to pool on the surface instead of getting absorbed into the lower levels.

Alot of people use it but not straight out of the bag. Mixing it with other substrate tends to work well. It's not my cup of tea.

Reptisoil a good substrate?

Found this substrate it states it’s a mix of moss clay sand and soil, also states it’s great for tarantulas, what do you guys think?

arachnoboards.com

 

[Ultum4Spiderz]

For me it's the fact that it has peat moss in it. I don't like peat moss and the compaction issue causing water to pool on the surface instead of getting absorbed into the lower levels.

Alot of people use it but not straight out of the bag. Mixing it with other substrate tends to work well. It's not my cup of tea.

Reptisoil a good substrate?

Found this substrate it states it’s a mix of moss clay sand and soil, also states it’s great for tarantulas, what do you guys think?

arachnoboards.com

I quit buying peat moss because of it getting dry and kicking up urticating hairs . Although with the price of coco fiber I’m almost considering it again.