Semi-aquatic H. gigas setups?

[JadeWilliamson]

I've been looking at finding an H gigas female for a while for my personal collection, possibly to breed down the road. I would really enjoy having a semi-aquatic setup for her. I have a forty gallon tank that's been used as a table for about three months. My beardie was in it but a friend gave me a seventy-five gallon tank. She's awesome!
Moving on. The point of this thread: I'd like for people to share information or post pictures about how they've got theirs set up or how they've seen or heard about tanks being set up. I'd really appreciate pictures.

Thanks so much!

 

[TheTarantulaKid]

I know RobC has a tutorial on his YouTube channel for this. I can't link it, I'm on my phone.

 

[Philth]

They are pretty simple to breed in plastic tubs with a lot of dirt to burrow in, no need for a fancy aquatic setup. Although I'm interested in seeing pics and hearing from breeders who keep them in aquatic type set ups as well, and successfully breed them this way. I get that they tolerate water and will swim when they have to, but don't understand the elaborate aquatic set ups if your goal is to breed them.

Later, Tom

 

[Masurai]

This is the page for part 1 of of Robc's redone H. gigas enclosure. Sorry i don't know how to make it so you can just click on it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88tYH36LZok&feature=plcp

 

[SamuraiSid]

Highly suggest you google: Palundarium Tutorial

 

[Stan Schultz]

Responding to your comment. (A little off topic.)

... Sorry i don't know how to make it so you can just click on it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88tYH36LZok&feature=plcp

There are three methods that I know (Note: "URL" means the Internet address in the form of [noparse]http://www.domainname.com[/noparse].):

1. Simply type in the URL, e.g., [noparse]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88tYH36LZok&feature=plcp[/noparse], as you did. The software automagically recognizes it as an Internet address and sets it up as a link. (I've temporarily turned that automatic feature off and on throughout this posting to avoid too much confusion.)

2. Enclose the address in these tags by hand: [noparse]URL[/noparse]. This is usually not necessary, but there's always the chance that something weird is going on and you can't get the browser to parse the URL properly, so you need to do it by hand.

The problem with the foregoing methods is that, while they establish the link, they don't give anyone a hint about what you're linking to. For instance, "What the #$%^&# does [noparse]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88tYH36LZok&feature=plcp[/noparse] really mean?"

3. This method hides the URL, but displays some information about the link. Manually type in this string

[noparse]NAME/EXPLANATION/OTHER TEXT[/noparse], and all the reader will see is NAME/EXPLANATION/OTHER TEXT. Note the exact syntax:

[noparse][/noparse] means "Turn on the url parsing subroutine. Parse this address (figure out what it is). Deal with it as a link to jump to."

Display this text to the reader, "NAME/EXPLANATION/OTHER TEXT."

[noparse][/noparse] means "Turn off the url parsing subroutine" and continue displaying the remainder of the message.

Here's a real example:

What I typed: [noparse]American Tarantula Society[/noparse]

And here is what you see: American Tarantula Society

On this forum such links often don't show up really well. (A lot depends on the "skin" you're using. Look at the little drop-down box in the lower left corner of this page.) So, I usually enclose the TEXT part in bold tags:

What I typed: [noparse]American Tarantula Society[/noparse]

And here is what you see: American Tarantula Society

There are lots more tags and rather unsophisticated instructions available at BB Code List - Arachnoboards ([noparse]BB Code List - Arachnoboards[/noparse]). When you create a formatting scheme (e.g., [noparse][size=+1][/noparse] you usually have to tear it down in reverse order (e.g., [noparse][/size][/noparse]) or the browser may not be able to figure it out.

Lastly, if you want to see how some hotdog did some sort of flashy tagging so you can do the same, merely click or right-click the "Reply with Quote" button on the lower right of THAT PARTICULAR POSTING. All their codes will be laid out in naked detail for you to see. The exposure is almost obscene!

(Don't forget to cancel the "Reply with Quote" instead of sending it!)

 

[JadeWilliamson]

I've seen RobC's tutorials and I was looking for examples of what other hobbyists were doing. I now see that the word I need to use in regards to this setup is paludarium (not "palundarium," sorry).
I guess it's not as common a thing in this hobby for people to go above and beyond for their spiders as I thought. All my Pokie girls are in tall ten gallons and all my Avic girls are in tall five gallons, so I figure why not get something that could top that.

Breeding isn't my #1 priority with this species. I think it would be extremely entertaining to see a tarantula go into a fish's natrual habitat and catch it..then subsequently eat it. Maybe I'm the only one?

 

[Niffarious]

It's more common for people in North America to use very simple styles of housing for their tarantulas. This pertains to reptiles, amphibians and fish as well.

Overseas, especially in Europe, folks tend to prefer more natural (and often larger) set-ups. I prefer this myself when the animals are large enough.

In any case, you may have better luck finding information on the actual constructing of a paludarium from amphibian keepers. I'd suggest browsing http://www.caudata.org

 

[Philth]

I think it would be extremely entertaining to see a tarantula go into a fish's natrual habitat and catch it..then subsequently eat it. Maybe I'm the only one?

So would I, I think you'll be disappointed though and waste money on a fancy set-up. I'd contact Crysta on these boards for his/her thoughts on it as this poster has the best pics on this topic in my opinion. See this. Nice pictures of a spider entering water for a cricket on the waters surface.

Despite many claims, I have yet to see a good picture series or video of these spiders actively hunting fish though. The video's I see the spiders are provoked or forced into the water. Like you I find it very interesting that a tarantula will hunt and catch fish under the water, I hope your the one to post the video/pics I've been waiting to see.

Good luck with your project.
Later, Tom

 

[JadeWilliamson]

Good luck with your project.
Later, Tom

Thanks for your reply, Tom. I want to start off by saying I don't think it's right the way they reacted to your opinions on that thread. We should all be able to state our thoughts without fear of persecution.

That having been said, I will continue with this project despite your warning (though I'll keep it in mind). I want to be the guy to put to rest/help confirm that Hysterocrates gigas will/will not thrive in a semi-aquatic environment. Regardless of the outcome of this endeavor, I will have learned something and no doubt have had tons of fun turning an empty forty gallon into a swampy wonderland. If anything, I'll put some turtles in it or something after it fails. I do understand the risk I'm taking.

The hardest part, it seems, will be finding a specimen I can use for this experiment. I haven't looked for one before today, but I can only remember one time I actually saw a big female on the boards here. I guess I have to start looking harder.

I have no doubts you're one to support experimentation without hesitation, but I can also see why you'd give this particular project the cold shoulder: it's been done and people have failed. I, however, have been given the most faith from the pictures Crysta posted on that thread. According to her, the specimen hangs out near the water and will catch crickets that end up jumping in and swimming near. Actively hunting for aquatic prey? That's a bit of a stretch..or is it? That's what I'd like to help prove/disprove.

As stated, I will be using a forty gallon tank. If I end up executing this project, the tarantula will have roughly 5-8 gallons of substrate around 8-11" deep. That's honestly probably larger than most people's dedicated terrestrial/fossorial setups for this species! But wait, there's more!

I plan to use something plastic (similar to the enclosures most people keep larger terrestrials in, except more big) like a bus tray a restaurant would use (still thinking at this point) to keep my pool in. That'll probably be a good 5-8" above the floor of the tank itself. I want to have substrate all under it as well! If I do this, the tarantula will probably have roughly 11-14+ gallons of substrate to use to make a home. If she decides to do that, why wouldn't I put some goldfish, newts, salamanders, even turtles in it?

I don't see how I couldn't turn this into a victory no matter what the tarantula does.

 

[Quazgar]

I think this could be very cool if you design and set up the environment correctly. I look forward to seeing pictures of how it turns out. Worst case scenario (in my opinion) is that you spend a lot of money on what might end up being an unexciting habitat.

My one advice, though, is to rethink putting too many other things in there. Turtles, especially, are pretty vicious and will quite probably kill everything (plus a 40 gallon isn't really big enough for turtles to grow long-term in). Also, at least a few newts are toxic and could poison the tarantula if it tries to eat it.

 

[JadeWilliamson]

I think this could be very cool if you design and set up the environment correctly. I look forward to seeing pictures of how it turns out. Worst case scenario (in my opinion) is that you spend a lot of money on what might end up being an unexciting habitat.

My one advice, though, is to rethink putting too many other things in there. Turtles, especially, are pretty vicious and will quite probably kill everything (plus a 40 gallon isn't really big enough for turtles to grow long-term in). Also, at least a few newts are toxic and could poison the tarantula if it tries to eat it.

Sound advice! I really appreciate the heads up.

I don't know too much about turtles but I would absolutely do research and start with a simple species if it came down to that. I'm really excited about getting this started and I kinda agree that the worst that could happen is that I end up wasting money and failing at creating something really cool.

Also, I found a specimen and will probably be starting this project this coming week. Wish me luck!

 

[JadeWilliamson]

For those interested, I have decided to not do this yet. I will eventually do it when CBB adults are available. Everything now is WC and I don't expect the result I want. WC specimens are so finicky. I may buy some CBB slings and grow them up then do this project in a few years.

 

[Ceratogyrus]

Have a look at the link: http://www.tarantulas.co.za/forum/enclosures/37390-frooties-h-gigas-enclosure

 

[SamuraiSid]

Breeding isn't my #1 priority with this species. I think it would be extremely entertaining to see a tarantula go into a fish's natrual habitat and catch it..then subsequently eat it. Maybe I'm the only one?

Far from the only one. But you have to admit, its easier to enjoy someone elses hardwork, than to build an awesome display yourself Go for it, and post pics!!