Related to tarantula substrate

SuleymanC

Arachnoknight
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Feb 18, 2017
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Is it bad to use the substrate you already used for 1 of the tarantula?
 

Chris LXXIX

ArachnoGod
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Dec 25, 2014
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What do you mean, exactly? To use again (so basically recycling) the substrate you had for years of a Theraphosidae that, example, died of old age or else, for a "brand new" purchased completely different one?

Or you are talking about the case of a re-house for the same spider, so adding in the new enclosure his/her old substrate?

I'd prefer to change the substrate always, anyway.
 

ledzeppelin

Arachnobaron
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Jan 8, 2013
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433
I reuse substrate but I sort of sift if through to remove any boli and such.. Also I make sure that it's from a healthy spider.
 

TownesVanZandt

Arachnoprince
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May 12, 2015
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I reuse substrate but I sort of sift if through to remove any boli and such.. Also I make sure that it's from a healthy spider.
Even for NWs? I can imagine the urticating hairs being a problem, but I don´t reuse substrate, except for the same spider when it needs a bigger enclosure.
 

ledzeppelin

Arachnobaron
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Jan 8, 2013
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i never really thought about what harm could there be if urticating hairs were in NW enclosures? I avoid them solely for precaution, but what could happen tho? :D I've never heard of a T having problems due to urticating hairs.. I mean, where could they pose problems? booklungs? that's about the only thing I can think of .
 

TownesVanZandt

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i never really thought about what harm could there be if urticating hairs were in NW enclosures? I avoid them solely for precaution, but what could happen tho? :D I've never heard of a T having problems due to urticating hairs.. I mean, where could they pose problems? booklungs? that's about the only thing I can think of .
Hmmm, I have never thought it through, but always just assumed that urticating hairs from one species might cause some trouble for a different species. It might just be me being paranoid about urticating hairs, also o_O. I can´t stand them.
 

The Grym Reaper

Arachnoreaper
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Jul 19, 2016
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I've reused substrate from NW species and not had any problems. I'd assume the hairs, being organic material, would break down over time anyway. I only bin substrate if it's really bad or if the T was unhealthy.
 

Arachnomaniac19

Arachnolord
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Aug 23, 2014
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i never really thought about what harm could there be if urticating hairs were in NW enclosures? I avoid them solely for precaution, but what could happen tho? :D I've never heard of a T having problems due to urticating hairs.. I mean, where could they pose problems? booklungs? that's about the only thing I can think of .
The different types of urticating hairs might affect animals with an exoskeleton differently. I know that some hairs hardly affect people (Ephebopus I think), while other hairs make it seem like you've been eaten by a giant mosquito (Theraphosa). Since they've evovled as a predation detering mechanism, and lots of predators are other spiders, I'd be surprised if there wasn't a hair type that affected them.
 

Devin B

Arachnobaron
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Sep 30, 2016
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326
I would perfer to change the substrate simply because I like to make my enclosures a little unique for each T. I just think its easier to start from the ground up. Also like others have said top soil is cheap.
 

Charlie69

Arachnosquire
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Oct 1, 2016
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Even if the hair doesn't hurt the newcomer. Can't they sense the previous animal and get stressed, feeling another t so close?
 

Nightstalker47

Arachnoking
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Jul 2, 2016
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Even if the hair doesn't hurt the newcomer. Can't they sense the previous animal and get stressed, feeling another t so close?
Good point, especially if theres any webbing left in the old sub. I'm sure the new T would think it's intruding on another's territory.

I personally don't re use substrate, but that's just cause I like to give them a fresh start, nice clean new home.
 

Ellenantula

Arachnoking
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Sep 14, 2014
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I always just use new substrate. Fairly cheap stuff and a lot less work than sifting through used substrate for previous tenant's old moults, boluses (Boli?) and poop.
Really, I can't imagine taking the time to clean an enclosure and then not start with fresh substrate for new inhabitant.
 
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kevinlowl

Arachnoknight
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Aug 21, 2015
Messages
222
I can't believe people reuse substrate with all the poop and food scrap mixed in from a previous T. :eek: No wonder I hear stories of mushrooms growing.
 

Ungoliant

Malleus Aranearum
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Mar 7, 2012
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Is it bad to use the substrate you already used for 1 of the tarantula?
I only change the substrate when I rehouse, so I always use fresh substrate. The substrate I use is not so expensive that I would ever sift through old substrate to recycle it, especially considering that it may have been in use for a long time.

An interesting question would be how tarantulas would react to the pheromones/silk of another tarantula so thoroughly mixed into the substrate.
 
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