Spider Nook Makeover

[Dayners666]

That's a lot of words for Combative much?

But I'm in no way being combative. I don't feel like I was hostile at any point in this thread. Stubborn? Yes. Argumentative? Ehh...maybe. but definitely not combative

 

[SpookySpooder]

That's a lot of words for Combative much?

You know if I said that to her she would've manned the ramparts right?

I ain't about to fight no trench warfare with nobody

But I'm in no way being combative. I don't feel like I was hostile at any point in this thread. Stubborn? Yes. Argumentative? Ehh...maybe. but definitely not combative

YOU pick your word, I'll call you that. Whatever you wanna identify as... stubborn, argumentative, combative, defensive, strong-willed, headstrong... really take your pick

 

[Dayners666]

You know if I said that to her she would've manned the ramparts right?

I ain't about to fight no trench warfare with nobody

What ever do you mean??

You know if I said that to her she would've manned the ramparts right?

I ain't about to fight no trench warfare with nobody


YOU pick your word, I'll call you that. Whatever you wanna identify as... stubborn, argumentative, combative, defensive, strong-willed, headstrong... really take your pick

It's 2024 I can identify as anything. I choose chihuahua (tiny but fierce)

 

[fcat]

Two options, cut a piece of acrylic to fit the front width x however many inches, either place it directly above the air vents in the front or get crafty and drill your own in the same spot, (truthfully I don't recommend blocking any of those front holes, so pad it with moss and then cover it with cork bark so it can't dig up the moss before you add dirt, or

Just place a big piece of cork bark, like a full round even, in the front the same way. No one said it had to be substrate in the front. Then use the wood like a retaining wall, building up the sub behind it

Edit to one up my own ideas, drill friggin holes in a cork round and place it in the front. Get ventilated bro

 

[The Spider House]

I think the world record was 11 inches do you have links for verified the 12 inch ones? I’ve been trying to search for that information.
he’s correct on the size of the goliath .
A 9 inch goliath would still be bigger than a 9 inch Pamphobeteus. Most people have no proof of the size , lots of claim to have 10 inch LP but they’re more like 7-8 inches, 9 inch Was I’ve seen proof of. Many species are exaggerated.

The "bulk" is a very valid point when it comes to Theraphosa.

I have pic of an Xenesthis moult at 7 inch and a Theraphosa moult at 9 inch in one of my picture threads. The interesting pic in there is when you pit both moults side by side. The leg span difference isn't that massive but the bulk is. See below.

User - The Spider House's Tarantula Pictures

What better way to be greeted when home from work than by 6 of my big girls ready to give me a 'cuddle'

arachnoboards.com

 

[Dayners666]

Two options, cut a piece of acrylic to fit the front width x however many inches, either place it directly above the air vents in the front or get crafty and drill your own in the same spot, (truthfully I don't recommend blocking any of those front holes, so pad it with moss and then cover it with cork bark so it can't dig up the moss before you add dirt, or

Just place a big piece of cork bark, like a full round even, in the front the same way. No one said it had to be substrate in the front. Then use the wood like a retaining wall, building up the sub behind it

Edit to one up my own ideas, drill friggin holes in a cork round and place it in the front. Get ventilated bro

Oddly enough I actually had a piece of acrylic in the front that I sort of Jerry rigged because it was too big. It came with my zen habitat that I have foe my beardie. I attached it with hot glue. Unfortunately it broke off

 

[SpookySpooder]

Oddly enough I actually had a piece of acrylic in the front that I sort of Jerry rigged because it was too big. It came with my zen habitat that I have foe my beardie. I attached it with hot glue. Unfortunately it broke off

Somebody on this forum actually posted a tutorial with images on how they did this modification, they took a piece of acrylic, cut it to size, then siliconed it across the front so they could raise their substrate like 6" and still keep the front opening door.

If I run across it I'll link it to you, but if somebody else knows what I'm talking about perhaps they can help direct you as well.

MY advice? Quit arguing with me.
Make the mod, raise the substrate up to an acceptable level for a 4" Stirmi, and toss that bad boy in there already.

THAT will show all of us, AND you don't need to impatiently wait for it to grow up that much before using that bioactive enclosure you set up. IDK about you, but I could not wait years that patiently.

 

[Dayners666]

Somebody on this forum actually posted a tutorial with images on how they did this modification, they took a piece of acrylic, cut it to size, then siliconed it across the front so they could raise their substrate like 6" and still keep the front opening door.

If I run across it I'll link it to you, but if somebody else knows what I'm talking about perhaps they can help direct you as well.

MY advice? Quit arguing with me.
Make the mod, raise the substrate up to an acceptable level for a 4" Stirmi, and toss that bad boy in there already.

THAT will show all of us, AND you don't need to impatiently wait for it to grow up that much before using that bioactive enclosure you set up. IDK about you, but I could not wait years that patiently.

FIXED IT!!!

THERE!! Y'ALL HAPPY NOW?!

Now all I need is to dig up my plants and buy like 5 more bags of dirt lol

See? The other problem is I tend to be lazy and now all your advice just made more work for me

Somebody on this forum actually posted a tutorial with images on how they did this modification, they took a piece of acrylic, cut it to size, then siliconed it across the front so they could raise their substrate like 6" and still keep the front opening door.

If I run across it I'll link it to you, but if somebody else knows what I'm talking about perhaps they can help direct you as well.

MY advice? Quit arguing with me.
Make the mod, raise the substrate up to an acceptable level for a 4" Stirmi, and toss that bad boy in there already.

THAT will show all of us, AND you don't need to impatiently wait for it to grow up that much before using that bioactive enclosure you set up. IDK about you, but I could not wait years that patiently.

Somebody on this forum actually posted a tutorial with images on how they did this modification, they took a piece of acrylic, cut it to size, then siliconed it across the front so they could raise their substrate like 6" and still keep the front opening door.

If I run across it I'll link it to you, but if somebody else knows what I'm talking about perhaps they can help direct you as well.

MY advice? Quit arguing with me.
Make the mod, raise the substrate up to an acceptable level for a 4" Stirmi, and toss that bad boy in there already.

THAT will show all of us, AND you don't need to impatiently wait for it to grow up that much before using that bioactive enclosure you set up. IDK about you, but I could not wait years that patiently.

The "bulk" is a very valid point when it comes to Theraphosa.

I have pic of an Xenesthis moult at 7 inch and a Theraphosa moult at 9 inch in one of my picture threads. The interesting pic in there is when you pit both moults side by side. The leg span difference isn't that massive but the bulk is. See below.

User - The Spider House's Tarantula Pictures

What better way to be greeted when home from work than by 6 of my big girls ready to give me a 'cuddle'

arachnoboards.com

Two options, cut a piece of acrylic to fit the front width x however many inches, either place it directly above the air vents in the front or get crafty and drill your own in the same spot, (truthfully I don't recommend blocking any of those front holes, so pad it with moss and then cover it with cork bark so it can't dig up the moss before you add dirt, or

Just place a big piece of cork bark, like a full round even, in the front the same way. No one said it had to be substrate in the front. Then use the wood like a retaining wall, building up the sub behind it

Edit to one up my own ideas, drill friggin holes in a cork round and place it in the front. Get ventilated bro

There is now a half foot of sub in there. Leaving a space from lid to floor now only 10 inches. I added the piece of acrylic again as well as more more dirt. Does it look better and safer now?

 

[SpookySpooder]

It is definitely an improvement. I'm surprised how quickly you got that done.

I'll let somebody with more experience with giant spiders chime in, I haven't kept any Theraphosa myself.

My biggest T is barely 3", and I only give it 4" to climb because I'm probably being super paranoid.

 

[Dayners666]

It is definitely an improvement. I'm surprised how quickly you got that done.

I'll let somebody with more experience with giant spiders chime in, I haven't kept any Theraphosa myself.

My biggest T is barely 3", and I only give it 4" to climb because I'm probably being super paranoid.

Well I can't very well only give a stirmi 4 inches of space. For all I know it may end up being claustrophobic lol not to mention no space for plants and such

I luckily had more dirt readily available that wasn't being used. I work quick. Plus my kids are at mom mom's leaving me the time and ability to get stuff done

 

[SpookySpooder]

I agree, you definitely don't want to go TOO LITTLE as well. Like I said, let's wait for somebody who has kept one of these giants to chime in, as I'm out of usable advice for you when it comes to this species.

 

[The Spider House]

FIXED IT!!!

THERE!! Y'ALL HAPPY NOW?!

Now all I need is to dig up my plants and buy like 5 more bags of dirt lol

See? The other problem is I tend to be lazy and now all your advice just made more work for me

Nice improvement

Please take this comment in the intention it is given, to be helpful, but mesh lids are not good for terrestrial Ts and bearing in mind that Theraphosa are the heaviest spiders, a fall or having to cast a leg to release a claw from the mesh is a bit dangerous.

While you are in a DIY mood, maybe look to replace the mesh lid? I have done this with every terrestrial set up I have of that type of enclosure and all my Theraphosa set ups. Apart from that, I think it is a really good set up. Excellent job

 

[Dayners666]

Nice improvement

Please take this comment in the intention it is given, to be helpful, but mesh lids are not good for terrestrial Ts and bearing in mind that Theraphosa are the heaviest spiders, a fall or having to cast a leg to release a claw from the mesh is a bit dangerous.

While you are in a DIY mood, maybe look to replace the mesh lid? I have done this with every terrestrial set up I have of that type of enclosure and all my Theraphosa set ups. Apart from that, I think it is a really good set up. Excellent job

I appreciate that!! Yeah I know about the lid. I have intentions of getting a piece of acrylic to put over the mesh. I'm just gonna melt holes in the acrylic then caulk the acrylic to the lid

 

[fcat]

For my terrestrials I always sacrifice a corner where I bring the substrate up to the max, leaving on my a few inches of space from the ceiling...enough for them to clear of course and turn around. They love it. They hang out there all the time.

I don't have eyes on my largest T yet because she's yet to emerge from her cheesesteak long burrow since her last molt, but being as I'm a sucker for a fat bottomed NW terrestrials...I don't give them more than 1x their leg span to fall or climb/descend. You can hear them walking, running is terrifying sounding lol...I don't think I'd ever be able to unhear a fall though.

Mine are active, calm, always visible*, great eaters and growing fast. And all but probably one has destroyed my "vision" going into the build, excluding the girls that dig long term burrows (that's just my theory though) and since I can see into their burrows they are usually always visible too. This is just me projecting but they sure look like they feel safe

 

[slocoj91]

I would agree which is why there's only 12 inches between the surface of the substrate and the top of the enclosure(and thats only towards the front. The back is even less because i made a slope.). Have any of you actually done the math I wonder? Because (and I'm going by if the stirmi reaches 11 inches dls) 1.5x11=16.5. Even if it only reaches 9" let's say; 9x1.5=13.5. So either way, if the rule of thumb is no more than 1.5 times the legspan, then I followed the rules and actually even made sure to have less distance than what the rule of thumb is alotting. I mean I get you all are concerned for my T which I appreciate, but don't think for one second I don't have my animals best interest and safety in mind


Ha! I wish


Mods might be needed for what?!




I love how you lot completely derailed this thread to focus on an empty enclosure and assume the worst of me and that I don't care for my animals even though none of you know me when the whole point of this post was to point out my spider nook and how proud I am of it. It's ok I'm getting used to people on this forum ripping my posts apart

I didn't say I assumed anything of the sort. It is you who is assuming that, just because some gentle advice was given - so that your tarantula didn't fall to its death. I didn't make any assumptions about you as a keeper from the original post. I do wonder, now, why you believe physics cares about the size a tarantula *might reach in the future* and not it's current size - putting a 3 or 4 inch tarantula in that enclosure, which you said you planned to do, is risk. And in fact drastically decreases its chances of ever reaching a greater size in the first place.

Regarding the 'nook' - you're right, we don't know you. I didn't have anything in particular to say because of this, and honestly I really struggle with 'small talk' - to *me* saying 'nice' as a comment on a post is pretty redundant, most of the time I only comment if I have something particular to say. I don't do 'disingenuous' well, and since I don't know you I don't know why this space might be a big deal to you. I wouldn't want to assume anything in that regard, so barring further information I inferred that you just wanted to share - in which case the purpose is the sharing and not whatever brief responses might arise.

As an example, in my case the room I used to have my rabbits in needs redecorating now the last one has passed, which will be my tarantula/craft room. Getting around to sealing my shelves, and actually decorating, is difficult because of dealing with disability payments (and the chronic pain/ADHD/Autism mix that results in needing that help) and I'm also trying to get the confidence and materials to start advertising my business. So when that room is finally done I'll be pretty relieved, even though it'll be a whole other process moving things over. Plus I intend to have a hanging tent swing installed for sensory/overwhelm stuff, which will be huge. If I share the end result on these boards I'd expect very few comments, if any, unless someone spots a potential issue. Maybe if I explained the background, and the right people saw it, there'd be some understanding/broader comments, but otherwise "Nice shelves" is about it.

To explain the substrate comments, consider these boards. Planted tanks are recommended against when it comes to beginners in the hobby, and there are plenty of experienced keepers - including ones who keep various plant species and cultivate them - who still don't bother or see the point with their tarantulas. Pictures with 'terrarium style' enclosures are more likely to show up outside of the tarantula related boards. So a planted tank will get attention if it's implied that it houses a tarantula. That got my attention, and you'd already said which species you intended to house in there - and when. Which implied that you were not aware of the rule regarding substrate depth, since it is reasonable in my mind to believe that if you were aware of it then the substrate level would be higher or the tarantula wouldn't be housed in there so small. I could have pressed as to whether the lid, which can't be seen easily, is one of the screen ones, and queried the various small readout monitors you seem to have around the shelves, but I didn't because there wasn't anything to indicate that those readouts related to a misunderstanding in husbandry requirements - like when individual enclosures all have a cheap hygrometer inside - and I *wasn't* assuming based solely on inadequate substrate that the lid of the enclosure would also be inappropriate. I went entirely from the image and the information you provided.

As far as I'm concerned the idea that it is unacceptable to nicely explain a husbandry issue just because no advice on the matter was asked for is entirely the opposite of 'polite' or 'nice'. Personally, I'd be devastated if, after doing all the research around caring for the animals I keep, I shared a photo showing a potential risk that plenty of more experienced keepers could plainly see and nobody mentioned it. If it were a misunderstanding about an enclosure, or something temporary, a known issue being resolved immediately after taking the picture (or an old picture from before I knew better), whatever, I'd explain that. If I believe I know something that makes a person incorrect on the matter, I would explain that and point to sources. But I'd either fix whatever it was, or I would thank them for sharing the information. In the event it was something that might be a risk of some sort and I was actively choosing to keep things as they were - say due to information suggesting it might not be a risk, intentional experimentation for some reason - I would say so, and most likely if I shared images showing the potential issue afterwards I'd include a disclaimer which would also state that other keepers should *not* copy what I was doing.

Note that there's no 'between the lines' or implications in what I write. I say what I mean. I'm actually incredibly fed up of this idea of subtext, ulterior motives, that so many people are obsessed with inserting into others communications. The other day when reading something I came across some very validating information relating to this. It said that research has shown that when meanings or intentions 'suggested by body language' appear contrary to what is actually being said, the latter is far more reliable. Now, with the internet we don't even have that at play - it's how someone reads text in their own head, as impacted by their previous experiences and biases, that causes the issue. As far as I'm concerned I will speak up if I see or hear of an issue with regards to how an animal is being kept, cared for/treated, because I care far more about protecting them from potential harm as compared to how a person might feel about me bringing an issue to their attention. If I'm unsure about something I often still comment and highlight that I am not familiar with a species, because it gives me the opportunity to learn about animals that buck certain trends. I do find it interesting, actually, because whenever I have done that the owner has been very glad to explain how, and why, a certain thing is appropriate in that particular species.

I'm happy for you that you have a space for your spiders, anyway. Whether it makes it easier to do maintenance, or it just feels nice to have that little spot dubbed 'your spider nook'.

 

[Dayners666]

I didn't say I assumed anything of the sort. It is you who is assuming that, just because some gentle advice was given - so that your tarantula didn't fall to its death. I didn't make any assumptions about you as a keeper from the original post. I do wonder, now, why you believe physics cares about the size a tarantula *might reach in the future* and not it's current size - putting a 3 or 4 inch tarantula in that enclosure, which you said you planned to do, is risk. And in fact drastically decreases its chances of ever reaching a greater size in the first place.

Regarding the 'nook' - you're right, we don't know you. I didn't have anything in particular to say because of this, and honestly I really struggle with 'small talk' - to *me* saying 'nice' as a comment on a post is pretty redundant, most of the time I only comment if I have something particular to say. I don't do 'disingenuous' well, and since I don't know you I don't know why this space might be a big deal to you. I wouldn't want to assume anything in that regard, so barring further information I inferred that you just wanted to share - in which case the purpose is the sharing and not whatever brief responses might arise.

As an example, in my case the room I used to have my rabbits in needs redecorating now the last one has passed, which will be my tarantula/craft room. Getting around to sealing my shelves, and actually decorating, is difficult because of dealing with disability payments (and the chronic pain/ADHD/Autism mix that results in needing that help) and I'm also trying to get the confidence and materials to start advertising my business. So when that room is finally done I'll be pretty relieved, even though it'll be a whole other process moving things over. Plus I intend to have a hanging tent swing installed for sensory/overwhelm stuff, which will be huge. If I share the end result on these boards I'd expect very few comments, if any, unless someone spots a potential issue. Maybe if I explained the background, and the right people saw it, there'd be some understanding/broader comments, but otherwise "Nice shelves" is about it.

To explain the substrate comments, consider these boards. Planted tanks are recommended against when it comes to beginners in the hobby, and there are plenty of experienced keepers - including ones who keep various plant species and cultivate them - who still don't bother or see the point with their tarantulas. Pictures with 'terrarium style' enclosures are more likely to show up outside of the tarantula related boards. So a planted tank will get attention if it's implied that it houses a tarantula. That got my attention, and you'd already said which species you intended to house in there - and when. Which implied that you were not aware of the rule regarding substrate depth, since it is reasonable in my mind to believe that if you were aware of it then the substrate level would be higher or the tarantula wouldn't be housed in there so small. I could have pressed as to whether the lid, which can't be seen easily, is one of the screen ones, and queried the various small readout monitors you seem to have around the shelves, but I didn't because there wasn't anything to indicate that those readouts related to a misunderstanding in husbandry requirements - like when individual enclosures all have a cheap hygrometer inside - and I *wasn't* assuming based solely on inadequate substrate that the lid of the enclosure would also be inappropriate. I went entirely from the image and the information you provided.

As far as I'm concerned the idea that it is unacceptable to nicely explain a husbandry issue just because no advice on the matter was asked for is entirely the opposite of 'polite' or 'nice'. Personally, I'd be devastated if, after doing all the research around caring for the animals I keep, I shared a photo showing a potential risk that plenty of more experienced keepers could plainly see and nobody mentioned it. If it were a misunderstanding about an enclosure, or something temporary, a known issue being resolved immediately after taking the picture (or an old picture from before I knew better), whatever, I'd explain that. If I believe I know something that makes a person incorrect on the matter, I would explain that and point to sources. But I'd either fix whatever it was, or I would thank them for sharing the information. In the event it was something that might be a risk of some sort and I was actively choosing to keep things as they were - say due to information suggesting it might not be a risk, intentional experimentation for some reason - I would say so, and most likely if I shared images showing the potential issue afterwards I'd include a disclaimer which would also state that other keepers should *not* copy what I was doing.

Note that there's no 'between the lines' or implications in what I write. I say what I mean. I'm actually incredibly fed up of this idea of subtext, ulterior motives, that so many people are obsessed with inserting into others communications. The other day when reading something I came across some very validating information relating to this. It said that research has shown that when meanings or intentions 'suggested by body language' appear contrary to what is actually being said, the latter is far more reliable. Now, with the internet we don't even have that at play - it's how someone reads text in their own head, as impacted by their previous experiences and biases, that causes the issue. As far as I'm concerned I will speak up if I see or hear of an issue with regards to how an animal is being kept, cared for/treated, because I care far more about protecting them from potential harm as compared to how a person might feel about me bringing an issue to their attention. If I'm unsure about something I often still comment and highlight that I am not familiar with a species, because it gives me the opportunity to learn about animals that buck certain trends. I do find it interesting, actually, because whenever I have done that the owner has been very glad to explain how, and why, a certain thing is appropriate in that particular species.

I'm happy for you that you have a space for your spiders, anyway. Whether it makes it easier to do maintenance, or it just feels nice to have that little spot dubbed 'your spider nook'.

That's interesting that you're referring to my post as if it was directed specifically at you. I don't recall mentioning a specific person or accusing a specific person of something. Ah well...thanks for your input though I guess

 

[slocoj91]

That's interesting that you're referring to my post as if it was directed specifically at you. I don't recall mentioning a specific person or accusing a specific person of something. Ah well...thanks for your input though I guess

As if it's not incredibly childish to direct a complaint at several people, then turn around with "I wasn't talking to *you*" when one person responds. It's not as if you can get a group reply, so if you were just complaining for the sake of complaining and were going to fix the problem anyway, you could just say that.

You posted a general statement - so I took that to mean you had a problem with anyone who mentioned that the substrate was too low. I can only explain my own perspective, but included thoughts about why the enclosure itself had gotten the attention. Beyond that, far too many people share images demonstrating husbandry issues and then get offended when anyone points them out - if someone is unable to step back and realise that those involved simply want to minimise avoidable deaths, rather than insulting their intelligence, judging them poorly, etc, then that person is putting their ego above their interest in the care of their animals. At least if they make the change in private it's *something*, but too many refuse to admit when they're wrong or have over-reacted.

So yeah, it gets incredibly tedious when someone can't take advice as it's presented and has to make an issue where there was none. I know others on these boards tend to see it the way I do - we can only advise. Others kicking up a fuss isn't going to change that, because it's more important that we manage to help the few who listen - and the creatures in their care.

 

[Dayners666]

As if it's not incredibly childish to direct a complaint at several people, then turn around with "I wasn't talking to *you*" when one person responds. It's not as if you can get a group reply, so if you were just complaining for the sake of complaining and were going to fix the problem anyway, you could just say that.

You posted a general statement - so I took that to mean you had a problem with anyone who mentioned that the substrate was too low. I can only explain my own perspective, but included thoughts about why the enclosure itself had gotten the attention. Beyond that, far too many people share images demonstrating husbandry issues and then get offended when anyone points them out - if someone is unable to step back and realise that those involved simply want to minimise avoidable deaths, rather than insulting their intelligence, judging them poorly, etc, then that person is putting their ego above their interest in the care of their animals. At least if they make the change in private it's *something*, but too many refuse to admit when they're wrong or have over-reacted.

So yeah, it gets incredibly tedious when someone can't take advice as it's presented and has to make an issue where there was none. I know others on these boards tend to see it the way I do - we can only advise. Others kicking up a fuss isn't going to change that, because it's more important that we manage to help the few who listen - and the creatures in their care.

I'm curious as to what you think resorting to name calling accomplishes?? Everyone else that has addressed any husbandry issues have also maintained a level of respect and we were able to have a rational discussion. What needed to be addressed was addressed and the issue was fixed. I don't know what your problem is or why you feel you have a right to suddenly jump on this post with straight up disrespect and nastiness. There's absolutely no reason for it. But yet you wanna say that I'm the one being childish. You're pitching an attitude with the wrong person, my friend. Go take that else where because all it does is stoke the fire and doesn't help anyone or resolve anything