New to everything - advice on temperature consistancy (Jumping spiders)

[MaartjeLisa]

Hi there! I hope I'm posting in the correct thread.

I have read and watched a lot about jumping spiders over the last couple of months, and I would love to give one a tiny home.
I'm picking up a nice size enclosure this sunday (20 by 20 by 30 cm) and I am planning to scape it with lots of hiding places, real plants, climbing sticks etc. I want to see how the plants acclimate, adding some springtails in the substrate and see how consistent the temperature and humidity are, before adding a spider in a couple of months. I'm planning to add an LED on a 24 hour timer set to 12 hours on and 12 hours off and add a hygro-/thermometer to the enclosure to keep an eye on the conditions inside.

We just bought this house 2 months ago and I'm a little worried that the temperature will drop too much in winter to offer the best environment for my new friend. As I want to keep a consistent day-night schedule, I picked an LED that doesn't produce any heat, so I can keep it on for 12 hours, without the enclosure overheating in summer. I'm wondering what the best way is to ensure the temperature stays consistent in colder months? I read heating pads aren't recommended.

- What's the best medium (light, pad, ceramic) to heat a jumping spider enclosure?
- Is there a way I can set it up so the heating element only turns on when the temperature drops, and turns off automatically, so it doesn't fluctuate too much?
- Would a heat lamp that's on during the night mess with the day-night cycle?

Any other tips for beginners are super welcome!
Thanks!

 

[TheraMygale]

I don’t think you need a heading pad for a jumping spider.

what species are you getting? Where does it live in the wild?

you could keep it in your warmest room.

depending on how you heat your house, if air gets to dry all you need to do is offer some water, mist a side of the enclosure every now and then.

If you have live plants in there, that should provide the humidity/moisture needed. Make sure there is good cross ventilation.

no need for specific numbers.

 

[MaartjeLisa]

Thank you so much for your reply!

I would love to get Paraphidippus fartilis, but they're not a beginner species at all and I haven't found anyone in the Netherlands that sells them either, so that's one for the wishlist.
I was thinking Phidippus Regius as they seem to be quite interested in the humans around them, from what I've read they're a forgiving species. Not that I intend to give myself leniency. It's just that there's a lot of (sometimes contradicting) information out there. I plan to go to a reptile/critter convention in August and ask the people there for advice too.

The recommended temperature (from what I'm reading) is between 20 and 25 degrees celcius and I'm not sure I can guarantee that in my house in winter. But I don't want to cook my new friend alive neither. It usually doesn't get too cold here, I just want to make sure I know what to do if it does get below a certain temperature, and not have to figure it out then.

Does nobody usually use heat in their enclosures?

Not too worried about humidity, as I've worked with tropical plants for a while, and it's usually okay with misting. I just want to keep an eye on it, especially if the spider needs to molt.

Thanks again!

 

[TheraMygale]

I had to look up fartilis. I thought i was being trolled.

The P regius Bahamas looks like the fartilis. Maybe look for that.

i don’t know of many people who use heating for jumpers. Those who do probably, hopefully, use the method where the heating pad is controlled by a thermostat, and outside the enclosure, on only one part.

the heat of the led could be enough.

unless you buy professional tools, that allow them to be gauged, no thermometer will give you 100% exact reading.

they can tolerate less heat. Growth might slow down during winter months.

people keep tropical heat loving tarantulas with no heating element.

there is a member from north europe who keeps centipedes.

A few more pics of some centipedes while I’m on vacation

I am currently on vacation in Iceland and I am expecting my Scolopendra subspinipes to have some plings when I get home. So while I was scrolling through some old photos I found some old and new pics of my centipedes I thought I would share while I am eagerly waiting to get home to check on my...

arachnoboards.com

 

[MaartjeLisa]

Ha! I can imagine. I've also seen some white Bahamas that weren't white at all. I think I'll just go see which one wants to come home with me when the time comes

It makes sense no thermometer is 100% accurate when it's measuring inside such a small space, when the rest of the room potentially is a different temperature. I'll look into possibly getting a safe space heater so the room will be warm enough.

Thanks for your insights, will definitely update and most likely post some new questions when I get my friend

 

[Ultum4Spiderz]

Hi there! I hope I'm posting in the correct thread.

I have read and watched a lot about jumping spiders over the last couple of months, and I would love to give one a tiny home.
I'm picking up a nice size enclosure this sunday (20 by 20 by 30 cm) and I am planning to scape it with lots of hiding places, real plants, climbing sticks etc. I want to see how the plants acclimate, adding some springtails in the substrate and see how consistent the temperature and humidity are, before adding a spider in a couple of months. I'm planning to add an LED on a 24 hour timer set to 12 hours on and 12 hours off and add a hygro-/thermometer to the enclosure to keep an eye on the conditions inside.

We just bought this house 2 months ago and I'm a little worried that the temperature will drop too much in winter to offer the best environment for my new friend. As I want to keep a consistent day-night schedule, I picked an LED that doesn't produce any heat, so I can keep it on for 12 hours, without the enclosure overheating in summer. I'm wondering what the best way is to ensure the temperature stays consistent in colder months? I read heating pads aren't recommended.

- What's the best medium (light, pad, ceramic) to heat a jumping spider enclosure?
- Is there a way I can set it up so the heating element only turns on when the temperature drops, and turns off automatically, so it doesn't fluctuate too much?
- Would a heat lamp that's on during the night mess with the day-night cycle?

Any other tips for beginners are super welcome!
Thanks!

If your house stays around 70, you’re probably fine

 

[Brewser]

I've also seen some white Bahamas that weren't white at all. I think I'll just go see which one wants to come home with me when the time comes

I'll look into possibly getting a safe space heater so the room will be warm enough.

Thanks for your insights, will definitely update and most likely post some new questions when I get my friend

Seems like you've researched and planned out a nice home for Jumper.
Best Wishes to You & Yours.
Welcome to A Boards.
Looking forward to seeing your set up.