(newb) is my cage too big?

[jsieg]

I recently ordered a G. Rosea spiderling which should be arriving tomorrow at a size of 3/4". I began to read more on how to keep these little critters and discovered they need small cages. I bought a 2 and 1/2 gallong aquarium for my new friend, but after seeing videos and reading other things this may also be too big for the little critter. I have a smaller enclosure I could use, but is it necessary? Also is there any special tips for G. Rosea that don't apply for adults?

thank you
~Jeremy

 

[Big Red TJ]

I would just house it in whatever it comes in. spiderlings need very little room. I would also suggest reading up on the (sticky) posted on G. rosea care. goodluck and welcome to the boards.

 

[jsieg]

I would just house it in whatever it comes in. spiderlings need very little room. I would also suggest reading up on the (sticky) posted on G. rosea care. goodluck and welcome to the boards.

thank you for the amazing fast reply. I ahve read the G. Rosea guide and the noob guide and Im sure I will refer to them often. I have two more questions for you though. At what size would I move it up to the 2.5 gal tank? Also My house is relatively cold (65 farenheit), should I use a heat pad?

Thank you
~Jeremy

 

[Big Red TJ]

I would avoid heat pads as it could result in dehydrating your sling. That being said maybe a closet or somewhere else in your house maybe warmer. When your sling is about 3 inches i would move it up to the 2.5 gallon. T's really don't move alot especially rosies, they tend to be pet rocks.

 

[ravenruby]

At 3/4", it should be kept in a small deli cup or vial. A 2 gal tank would definitely be too big for it!

 

[Moltar]

Rosies are fairly cold resistant as T's go. Their home range isn't that warm anyway. 65 degrees won't hurt your little sling but it also won't be very active or grow very quickly at that temp. Using an indirect method as mentioned above is the best way to go but not necessary. You could also try putting the heating pad (pet specific type, not a standard "human" pad) on the side of the 2.5gal and then putting the little cup containing the sling inside the 2.5. Allow ventilation so the heat doesn't get to high in there.

 

[ghordy]

The problem with such a big enclosure is its ability to find food and water. With a vial or a small deli cup, food will be in close proximity and easy to find and lightly misting the inside of the vial or deli cup would provide it with water, again in close proximity and easy to find.

 

[curiousme]

Yes, that is way too big for a 3/4" sling, like others have said. What i haven't seen said though, is that it will be a looooooooooong time before that sling is up to 3" or so and ready for that tank. We have a 3/4" G. rosea (RedColorForm) that we have had almost a year. It has molted once and if it weren't for comparing pictures carefully, I wouldn't know it had grown at all.

We make our own enclosures for that size sling, that are 3X3X3" cubes. This is a personal preference, as we don't like keeping Ts in vials or deli cups.

Edited to add: Welcome to the hobby/ addiction! Read, read, read on this forum and get the advanced search engine down so you guys are like peas and carrots! There is also a wonderful link in my signature to a sticky with lots of helpful information.

 

[scottyk]

All of the above suggestions are good. I would go the cube route only because it makes a nicer enclosure, especially considering how slowly G. rosea slings grow. You may have it in there for a year or so before it's big enough for the tank.

Do a search on "Micheals cubes" or "sling enclosures" and set your sling up in the large 4" square cube. That should keep it happy for quite a while.

Welcome to the boards...

Scott

 

[jsieg]

Thank you to all of you.

I ordered the little critter from krazy 8's invertebrates and I have a 6"L x 2"W x 4"H critter keeper I will keep it in and I think that should do the job.

Thank you
~Jeremy

 

[jsieg]

UPDATE

here is the new cage i have set up for the spiderling which I will assume arrives tomorrow. I haven't recieved confirmation from Chris Young as to its shipment.

8" long. hopefully thats small enough

you might notice the white area on the back. Its some sort of residue. I tried to wash it off and it wouldn't so I sanded it. It still seems to be there. Im not sure if this is something I should be wary of or not.

 

[Big Red TJ]

looks alittle big and way to wet for the substrate

 

[jsieg]

looks alittle big and way to wet for the substrate

still too big? hm. Alright I see what else I have to house it. The substrate is wet because it (coco fiber) came in a dried brick. I soaked it and spread it in there. Optimistically thinking I will be recieving the spider tomorrow, and I would assume it would dry out well enough by then.

 

[Big Red TJ]

Try half that size at least for the enclosure and you could dry some of the substrate out on a paper towel. You won't need that much for a small container. I hope this helps

 

[jsieg]

Try half that size at least for the enclosure and you could dry some of the substrate out on a paper towel. You won't need that much for a small container. I hope this helps

it does. I may have to improvise for a cage. If I end up not finding anything smaller within my local shops do you think the aforementioned pictured cage could be a temporary fix?

 

[Amelia]

Go check your kitchen. Have a yogurt cup? Small food storage container? Salt shaker? Baby food jar?

 

[jsieg]

Go check your kitchen. Have a yogurt cup? Small food storage container? Salt shaker? Baby food jar?

as a matter of fact I have a small circular food container about 3 inches in diameter.

 

[Big Red TJ]

as a matter of fact I have a small circular food container about 3 inches in diameter.

That would work.

 

[Ictinike]

That substrate won't dry out too quickly especially within a day..

You can take that damp coco coir and place it on a microwave safe plate and put it in for about 2-5 minutes depending on the thickness you put on the plate.

Watch yourself though it does hold a TON of heat as the water is evaporating out of it and I had to put about 5 plates (dinner) full about 1" thick at the center for my rehousing lately. It and the plate get very hot but it will dry that out as well killing any micro/macro organisms that might be present (mites, mite eggs, etc).

Once it's dry you can re-place in the enclosure and then dampen as you wish but humidity is key, NOT open moisture. A spritz to the side the of enclosure a few times a week is all that's needed.

G. rosea's like it dry, bone dry so any moisture in the substrate, to the magnitude you have now, will only make the sling climb the walls which isn't good if it's too high. Sling could fall and hurt itself though as slings they weigh nothing but good habit to start now before it's an adult.

Good luck with the new arrival!

 

[Exo]

That substrate won't dry out too quickly especially within a day..

You can take that damp coco coir and place it on a microwave safe plate and put it in for about 2-5 minutes depending on the thickness you put on the plate.

Watch yourself though it does hold a TON of heat as the water is evaporating out of it and I had to put about 5 plates (dinner) full about 1" thick at the center for my rehousing lately. It and the plate get very hot but it will dry that out as well killing any micro/macro organisms that might be present (mites, mite eggs, etc).

Once it's dry you can re-place in the enclosure and then dampen as you wish but humidity is key, NOT open moisture. A spritz to the side the of enclosure a few times a week is all that's needed.

G. rosea's like it dry, bone dry so any moisture in the substrate, to the magnitude you have now, will only make the sling climb the walls which isn't good if it's too high. Sling could fall and hurt itself though as slings they weigh nothing but good habit to start now before it's an adult.

Good luck with the new arrival!

Keep in mind that slings of any species should be kept somewhat moist. you should start keeping them drier when they reach 1.5-2in.