Quick Question About Homemade Substrate

[Cashworth]

While looking into finding the best substrate for my new G. Rosea, Terri, I was talking to a tarantula enthusiast who suggested a mixture that is 3 parts Black Earth and 2 parts Plain Natural Cedar Mulch. I've found Vigoro brand black earth and Hill View brand natural cedar mulch at Home Depot. Does anybody know anything about making substrate out of store-bought products such as these? Can they have harmful chemicals in them that are bad for my Terri?

Thank you for your help.

 

[R McP]

I dont think ceder is safe for ts but you can use potting soil with no fertilizer or pesticides mixed with peat moss.

 

[DaveM]

Yeah, don't use cedar! You know how people keep wool clothing/blackets in cedar chests to keep away moths? -- Cedar is noxious to tarantulas also.

 

[webbedone]

Say nay to cedar for previously mentioned reasons. Coconut fiber works great, Pet stores sell it in a little dehydrated blocks and sometimes loose form in bags, if you are in canada canadian tire sells big dehydrated blocks of something called "beats peat" which is basicaly mixture of coco fiber and peat, you can also use >>Organic<< poting soil, or some peat that you can get from homedepot or lowes.

 

[cnapple]

Coco coir fiber is your best bet for a rosea. Don't use anything wood-based as a rule. If you really want to use potting soil, just make sure it is an organic variety without pesticides or fertilizer. Keep whatever sub you end up using completely dry for a rosea.

 

[Cashworth]

Thanks for the help, everybody! Do you recommend that I bake it? And I realize that the substrate should be deep to allow for borrowing, but is it possible to give terrestrials only an inch or two and have them still be happy? I've seen quite a few pictures and videos of enclosures that only have a hide and some shallow substrate.

 

[RobS]

Thanks for the help, everybody! Do you recommend that I bake it? And I realize that the substrate should be deep to allow for borrowing, but is it possible to give terrestrials only an inch or two and have them still be happy? I've seen quite a few pictures and videos of enclosures that only have a hide and some shallow substrate.

I don't think you would need to bake it, especially if you go with organic peat moss or coconut fiber. I use peat, and even when kept slightly moist (which you don't want for a rosea beyond sling stage), I have had no problems with mold, etc.

Not only would you want to provide depth for burrowing, but more importantly, you want to limit the height above the substarte's surface that is available to the T. Not more height than 1 to 1/1/2 times the T's leg span (for example, with a rear leg touching the substrate, a front leg being able to reach the top of the enclosure, or just a bit more). An accidental fall from any significant height can result in abdominal rupture, which will likely prove fatal to the T.

Hope this helps..