T. albo enclosure questions

[ilikebugs7]

This will be my first tarantula. Planning to buy a juvenile or subadult female Tliltocatl albopilosus, though I'd like to have an adult enclosure setup already for when she grows into it. I like this enclosure, the tarantula cribs xl, but I'm unsure of whether this species would do best with the standard lid or maximum ventilation.

Terrestrial XL

Crafted exclusively for large inverts, this magnificent acrylic enclosure redefines the meaning of opulence. 🌟 Key Features:✨ Breathtaking Size: Measuring an astonishing 18" x 12" x 12", it provides an unparalleled living space for your majestic tarantulas.✨ Premium Acrylic: We've spared no...

tarantulacribs.com

As for the rest, I plan to use topsoil/abg mix, dwarf purple isopods, springtails, cork bark tube hide, and spider wood for decor. And of course an appropriately sized water dish.
I've got a growing colony of dubias for a main food source, plus about a billion mealworms. Not a fan of keeping crickets but I could definitely buy some to switch it up.
I think I should be set, but I want to be sure I'm not missing anything before I bring a T home.

 

[viper69]

There's too many pictures on that link and designs

 

[ilikebugs7]

There's too many pictures on that link and designs

The ventilation would either look like this (standard lid)

Or this (maximum ventilation lid)

All cross ventilation appears to remain the same.

 

[viper69]

Standard is MORE than fine.

 

[ilikebugs7]

Standard is MORE than fine.

Got it, thanks!

 

[viper69]

Got it, thanks!

anytime

 

[TheraMygale]

Is it a sliding lid? Im trying to guess it by the photo. It could still warp. Expect that so you wont be disappointed. Its a beautiful enclosure. Id get tons if i could afford them. I just dont like the warping.

 

[Brewser]

Removable Lid attaches Magnetically, magnets in all four corners $$$

 

[TheraMygale]

Removable Lid attaches Magnetically, magnets in all four corners $$$

Thats way better then sliding. With luck we will get these in canada. We have just one supplier though. I like to have options. I would buy these if i could get them where i want to get them. If they had their own canadian site, directly linked to them, i would buy these. I like direct transactions.

Maybe i can still get them if the layout has changed. I will go search this now.

85-175 CAD$ we also have limited choice. I get it though. I just like to have the same options as the usa. Sigh. Cheetos or Candy Cane

 

[spd2711]

Hey, quick question, would this hide be considered large for my T. Albo. Its my first and I wanted a futureproof enclosure so that my T could build it's burrow as deep as it wants to.. Will attach pictures.


Edit : This is the height of the substrate under the hide, made it higher for better burrowing.


Thank you in advance

 

[Matt Man]

Thats way better then sliding. With luck we will get these in canada. We have just one supplier though. I like to have options. I would buy these if i could get them where i want to get them. If they had their own canadian site, directly linked to them, i would buy these. I like direct transactions.

Maybe i can still get them if the layout has changed. I will go search this now.

85-175 CAD$ we also have limited choice. I get it though. I just like to have the same options as the usa. Sigh. Cheetos or Candy Cane

Top in lids with rare earth magnets which means 8 extra glue points for the lid receptors. Ton of extra labor hence price increase as well as thicker material. Still can warp. At 18" that lid is probably 12"x 12" with no glue / structure to combat warping
Lat issue I see, how does one open the lid? I see no place to grab it to lift, no handle.....

 

[Matt Man]

Hey, quick question, would this hide be considered large for my T. Albo. Its my first and I wanted a futureproof enclosure so that my T could build it's burrow as deep as it wants to.. Will attach pictures.
View attachment 487013 View attachment 487014 View attachment 487015

Edit : This is the height of the substrate under the hide, made it higher for better burrowing.
View attachment 487016

Thank you in advance

Not too big, but still has room to grow into that enclosure. Good soil depth, little fall hazard.

 

[spd2711]

Not too big, but still has room to grow into that enclosure. Good soil depth, little fall hazard.

Thank you, my T has started burrowing under the hide, refused food yesterday and ran into the hide instead of showing interest.

Another question, the soil that my T is bringing out from the burrow, can i move it away from the hide entrance? It looks messy.

 

[Matt Man]

Thank you, my T has started burrowing under the hide, refused food yesterday and ran into the hide instead of showing interest.

Another question, the soil that my T is bringing out from the burrow, can i move it away from the hide entrance? It looks messy.

you can, it may move it back. It's gonna do, what it's gonna do, and they do messy really well. You could add some of it to the top of the hide so the burrow looks more underground, but I know you are close to the lid

 

[spd2711]

you can, it may move it back. It's gonna do, what it's gonna do, and they do messy really well. You could add some of it to the top of the hide so the burrow looks more underground, but I know you are close to the lid

I can add a little more substrate at the top yes. Not sure if T is molting now? After the food refusal yesterday and being in the burrow until now I'm afraid T might be molting..

Thank you once again for listening to the rambles of a new tarantula owner..

 

[ilikebugs7]

Top in lids with rare earth magnets which means 8 extra glue points for the lid receptors. Ton of extra labor hence price increase as well as thicker material. Still can warp. At 18" that lid is probably 12"x 12" with no glue / structure to combat warping
Lat issue I see, how does one open the lid? I see no place to grab it to lift, no handle.....

I ended up buying this enclosure and it arrived today. It has a small overhang to lift it by. The acrylic is quite thick as well so I'd imagine it's wouldn't warp?

 

[Matt Man]

I ended up buying this enclosure and it arrived today. It has a small overhang to lift it by. The acrylic is quite thick as well so I'd imagine it's wouldn't warp?

View attachment 487374

That's a good solution. Acrylic is hydrophobic so water can actually pass through it. Anytime humidity levels are different from the inside to the outside water will flow from one side to the other in hopes of reaching stasis. This is what causes the warping. Thicker helps, extruded versus cast helps, braces / joinery helps. Are you able to flip the lid over? (Does it still function upside down?) If so alternate and that will also help. Guessing either 4mm or 6mm plex, can you measure the thickness?

 

[Matt Man]

I can add a little more substrate at the top yes. Not sure if T is molting now? After the food refusal yesterday and being in the burrow until now I'm afraid T might be molting..

Thank you once again for listening to the rambles of a new tarantula owner..

if the T is hiding just chill for now. It could be pre molt so reduce stress at this juncture. Once the T resumes more normal behavior resume. You can take the dirt it has dug out and add to the top. But it may like mess, so be prepared for a disappointment
to your aesthetic. I am a minimalist that way I'm not let down when they re arrange everything. The bottom cage was set up exactly like the top. The T dug out the log, picked it up, rotated it and placed it where it is in the photo. That's where she wanted it, that's where it stays

 

[ilikebugs7]

That's a good solution. Acrylic is hydrophobic so water can actually pass through it. Anytime humidity levels are different from the inside to the outside water will flow from one side to the other in hopes of reaching stasis. This is what causes the warping. Thicker helps, extruded versus cast helps, braces / joinery helps. Are you able to flip the lid over? (Does it still function upside down?) If so alternate and that will also help. Guessing either 4mm or 6mm plex, can you measure the thickness?

I didn't know that, thanks for the info. Unfortunately it cannot be flipped, the magnets repel eachother. It's 6mm thick.

 

[Matt Man]

I didn't know that, thanks for the info. Unfortunately it cannot be flipped, the magnets repel eachother. It's 6mm thick.

6mm is good, probably extruded as well. It should be fine