T. Stirmi setup?

[fostertheboy]

Hello! Yesterday I posted a thread about Theraphosa blondi care; but after reading through everyone's suggestions, I decided it would probably be a much better idea to get a T. stirmi instead. So, with a similar question, what are some general care tips for T. stirmi besides high humidity, and cross ventilation, and to wear protection before dealing with their cage maintenance because of the hairs? Also, does the Exo Terra Medium Low offer much cross ventilation? I attached a photo, and you can see there is a vent on the front, but I'm not sure if it really offers cross ventilation. Thank you all so much and any tips are appreciated greatly!

 

[Poec54]

Can you even find a blondi for sale, and at any kind of a reasonable price?

I just posted to a thread about Theraphosa care, check it out. I can't be repeating the same info every day.

 

[Austin S.]

You pretty much nailed it. That enclosure will offer enough ventilation, I would even cover/tape 3/4-1/2 of the top, but that's just me. It would dry out pretty fast imo.
I wear gloves, long sleeves, rubber bands around the wrist with long sleeves tucked, a turtle neck, goggles, long pants, etc., the works. I still get the hairs all over me.

If you use that exo, provide it with as much substrate as possible. I use a mix of peat moss, top soil made by Timberline, and sand, then I mix it up. I always angle the substrate, and have it elevated heavily on one side. Since you cannot do that with this container, I recommend something like:

 

[Austin S.]

The thread Poec is referring to, can be found here:
http://arachnoboards.com/threads/questions-before-i-buy-the-big-one-sp-theraphosa.282917/

 

[mistertim]

Definitely read Poec's recommendations in the other thread. I don't have any Theraphosa species myself, but from my understanding of them and their husbandry, an exo terra isn't a good idea because of that lack of cross ventilation for their humidity requirements. You'd probably be much better off (and much less light in the wallet) using a Sterilite container and putting plenty of cross ventilation on it yourself.

 

[Poec54]

I use a mix of peat moss, top soil made by Timberline, and sand, then I mix it up. I always angle the substrate, and have it elevated heavily on one side. Since you cannot do that with this container, I recommend something like...

Nice looking set ups!

 

[Austin S.]

Nice looking set ups!

Thanks buddy. One of the main reasons why I love this hobby; making the enclosures as close to their natural habitat with what I have available.

 

[Poec54]

Thanks buddy. One of the main reasons why I love this hobby; making the enclosures as close to their natural habitat with what I have available.

You've got an artistic eye. I need to do some of that to my cages.

 

[peterUK]

I wear gloves, long sleeves, rubber bands around the wrist with long sleeves tucked, a turtle neck, goggles, long pants, etc., the works. I still get the hairs all over me.

I am SERIOUSLY wondering what you are doing to the spider to warrant wearing all of that extra clothing ? I have 2.2 blondi and 1.2 apophysis and all i wear when I do any tank maintenance (on any tank including the Theraphosa) is my everyday clothes, which is a short sleeved T shirt and jeans.

 

[Poec54]

I am SERIOUSLY wondering what you are doing to the spider to warrant wearing all of that extra clothing ? I have 2.2 blondi and 1.2 apophysis and all i wear when I do any tank maintenance (on any tank including the Theraphosa) is my everyday clothes, which is a short sleeved T shirt and jeans.

Any air movement can get hairs airborne: furnace, a/c, celling fan, etc. Once I get haired by a Theraphosa, I can feel every one of them.

 

[Austin S.]

I am SERIOUSLY wondering what you are doing to the spider to warrant wearing all of that extra clothing ? I have 2.2 blondi and 1.2 apophysis and all i wear when I do any tank maintenance (on any tank including the Theraphosa) is my everyday clothes, which is a short sleeved T shirt and jeans.

Good for you.

Gently coaxing them into a large deli cup, then changing the soil. Some people react different to them than others. I guess you're in the group who aren't too affected by them. So, again, good for you.

 

[peterUK]

Good for you.

Gently coaxing them into a large deli cup, then changing the soil. Some people react different to them than others. I guess you're in the group who aren't too affected by them. So, again, good for you.

I cant think of any reason why the soil would need changing apart from when moving to larger tanks. How often do you change your spiders soil/substrate ?

 

[Austin S.]

I cant think of any reason why the soil would need changing apart from when moving to larger tanks. How often do you change your spiders soil/substrate ?

Only when I am re housing Peter.

 

[Abyss]

Only when I am re housing Peter.

Just use fresh sub then you dont hve to worry about it.........thats what i do at least

 

[Trenor]

Just use fresh sub then you dont hve to worry about it.........thats what i do at least

You still have to get the T out and hairs get in the air easily. Then get rid of the old stuff. So your likely to get hair on you. I've not been around these guys but I hear they are rough in the hair department.

 

[Abyss]

You still have to get the T out and hairs get in the air easily. Then get rid of the old stuff. So your likely to get hair on you. I've not been around these guys but I hear they are rough in the hair department.

Oh they are haha. A pintbrush, catch cup (tupperware), and a calm gentle actions help tho haha

 

[Austin S.]

Just use fresh sub then you dont hve to worry about it.........thats what i do at least

Come on you guys.

My stirmis are in very large tanks. Have you all ever considered there are hairs ALL OVER the substrate, plants, décor, etc.?? So, when you rehouse them, you clean that dirt out. You pick up the plants and all décor inside. Whether it is using a small shovel or cup to get it out, or dumping it, it is still going to be air born.
What kind of idiot doesn't use new substrate anyways?
Some people just are more sensitive to them.

 

[Sana]

Wow. Is that a reaction that worsened over time or has it always been that way?

 

[Austin S.]

Wow. Is that a reaction that worsened over time or has it always been that way?

Was a reaction due to cleaning my stirmi tank It got that bad about 30 minutes after I was finished. The reaction subsided within 12 hours.

 

[Sana]

Was a reaction due to cleaning my stirmi tank It got that bad about 30 minutes after I was finished. The reaction subsided within 12 hours.

Yikes! I haven't been exposed to any hairs that have caused that bad a reaction yet and I hope I never will.