tank sizes

A

Arachnobrian

Arachnoangel
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These are ideal for large collections, where space is limited.

But.....for a small collection (6 or less) where the animals will be more or less on display. I would consider a 5 or 10 gal glass aquarium, with welded metal lid.

Just a suggestion.
 
H

hermit

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Arachnobrian said:
These are ideal for large collections, where space is limited.

But.....for a small collection (6 or less) where the animals will be more or less on display. I would consider a 5 or 10 gal glass aquarium, with welded metal lid.

Just a suggestion.
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While I am not speaking from the POV of an experienced T keeper, I have kept many other animals and I'd offer a counter-argument to this post in that there's no reason why a plastic container can't be 100% as suitable for the critter as a glass aquarium while providing numerous other benefits to the keeper.

If you're keeping a terrestrial T and height is irrelevant, then a 5g or 10g aquarium is already much taller than you want and you'll be packing it with substrate to make it safe in case of a fall. Compare that to this:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hagen-Terra-Flat-Faunarium-Large/dp/B0002AR48Y/ref=pd_bxgy_petsupplies_img_b

An inch or two of substrate and that thing is all ready for a happy little critter. The upside is that it weighs a small fraction of what a glass aquarium does and it also could be stacked with identical units and still ventilate OK. Even if you have only a small collection, I'be become a big proponent in moving to plastic enclosures over glass enclosures based on the weight factor alone, but the cost is also another factor worth mentioning. Plastic containers are so cheap at a hardware store (you can buy regular bins and drill air holes to create a $1 version of the above critter keeper) so you can keep a bunch of extras on hand. Then when it's time for a cage cleaning for your T, all you do is prepare a brand new enclosure for it, transfer it over, and then the old enclosure gets cleaned out and put back into the supply of bins ready to be used.

Just another thought to consider.
 
S

Scoolman

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Enclosure size is very much a debate of personal preferance. That being said, I would say that enclosure is on the small side for an adult tarantula, such as those you mentioned.
 
Kathy

Kathy

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hermit said:
While I am not speaking from the POV of an experienced T keeper, I have kept many other animals and I'd offer a counter-argument to this post in that there's no reason why a plastic container can't be 100% as suitable for the critter as a glass aquarium while providing numerous other benefits to the keeper.

If you're keeping a terrestrial T and height is irrelevant, then a 5g or 10g aquarium is already much taller than you want and you'll be packing it with substrate to make it safe in case of a fall. Compare that to this:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hagen-Terra-Flat-Faunarium-Large/dp/B0002AR48Y/ref=pd_bxgy_petsupplies_img_b

An inch or two of substrate and that thing is all ready for a happy little critter. The upside is that it weighs a small fraction of what a glass aquarium does and it also could be stacked with identical units and still ventilate OK. Even if you have only a small collection, I'be become a big proponent in moving to plastic enclosures over glass enclosures based on the weight factor alone, but the cost is also another factor worth mentioning. Plastic containers are so cheap at a hardware store (you can buy regular bins and drill air holes to create a $1 version of the above critter keeper) so you can keep a bunch of extras on hand. Then when it's time for a cage cleaning for your T, all you do is prepare a brand new enclosure for it, transfer it over, and then the old enclosure gets cleaned out and put back into the supply of bins ready to be used.

Just another thought to consider.
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I like that!! I have not seen those for sale around here, I will have to look online for them. It's perfect for what I had in mind!
 
H

hedwigdan

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Jul 24, 2011
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Hi I dont think there available in america....
There pretty cheap here in ireland though
 
A

Arachnobrian

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It's all a matter of "personal choice" and "budget".

I keep all six of my T's in either 5 or 10 gal. tanks, as I keep my T's as display animals.

Five of the six T's I own are terrestrial, and with the tank filled halfway with substrate it tends to help keep humidity levels ideal. Most of my terrestrial T's have ignored the burrow provided and have created thier own, with plenty of substate this can be done.

I have used the plastic Hagen terra critter keepers both styles, while my T's were growing. They worked well, however I found they provided too much ventilation, maintaining humidity for some T's required covering some of the ventilation holes.
 
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hermit

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Those purpose-build herp containers are pretty awfully expensive for what you're getting, especially when it's really overdesigned for a Tarantula, and like someone said, you _will_ have a hard time keeping humidity in unless you live in a humid area. What I was suggesting was more something like this:

http://www.rubbermaid.com/Category/Pages/ProductDetail.aspx?Prod_ID=RP091405

Your local home depot type store should have those types of bins. I picked up 5 of them for about $3 ea. with latch-tight lids. I took a hand drill and punched about ten holes along either side of the container and bob's your uncle. They stack really well and with holes along the sides, it's no issue to do so.
 
Kathy

Kathy

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hermit said:
Those purpose-build herp containers are pretty awfully expensive for what you're getting, especially when it's really overdesigned for a Tarantula, and like someone said, you _will_ have a hard time keeping humidity in unless you live in a humid area. What I was suggesting was more something like this:

http://www.rubbermaid.com/Category/Pages/ProductDetail.aspx?Prod_ID=RP091405

Your local home depot type store should have those types of bins. I picked up 5 of them for about $3 ea. with latch-tight lids. I took a hand drill and punched about ten holes along either side of the container and bob's your uncle. They stack really well and with holes along the sides, it's no issue to do so.
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I don't like having them in plastic containers where I cannot see them. To me the part of having tarantula's is enjoying their beauty and their habitat and mannerisms. Thank you to the person who sent the Amazon link for the enclosure. I heard Petco may carry them on line, I will check that too. I think those are perfect. Lot's of ventilation, lot's of room, and you can see them. YAY.
 
H

hermit

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Jul 25, 2011
Messages
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Kathy said:
I don't like having them in plastic containers where I cannot see them. To me the part of having tarantula's is enjoying their beauty and their habitat and mannerisms. Thank you to the person who sent the Amazon link for the enclosure. I heard Petco may carry them on line, I will check that too. I think those are perfect. Lot's of ventilation, lot's of room, and you can see them. YAY.
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?

Did you look at the containers in my link? :?
 
A

Arachnobrian

Arachnoangel
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Messages
861
Yep, they still do not provide the viewing capability of a glass tank.

Try to take a picture through some of these containers.
 
H

hermit

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Messages
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Arachnobrian said:
Yep, they still do not provide the viewing capability of a glass tank.

Try to take a picture through some of these containers.
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Yeah, they don't photograph well because of flashes, but viewing through them with human eyes is no issue. Anyway, to each their own. I'm glad to have just gotten rid of 7 aquariums myself after replacing them all with PVC enclosures. Our next moving of residences will be 400lbs. easier :)
 
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