- Joined
- Mar 5, 2011
- Messages
- 311
I apologize if this is a topic that's already been discussed to death, but I've noticed some conflicting info in regards to temperature and humidity. Many people with years of experience say keeping Ts at room temp. (low to mid-70s, unless we're talking about the summer months) is fine. For species that like it humid, many say it's okay to merely keep the water dish full and mist every couple of days. However, I noticed that the care tips section of a well-known and well-respected breeder's site says (among other things):
- Always keep Ts at 78-90 degrees
- Don't mist the tank, because it just makes the inside of the container wet and does nothing to help hydrate the spider. Instead, make the substrate super moist until there is visible condensation in the enclosure.
- New Ts should always be acclimated in a hot (mid-80s), humid environment, otherwise the changes in conditions can cause great stress.
Once I move to a larger place at the end of the summer, I could theoretically build a heated cabinet, but I definitely don't have the space to do so now. Most of my spiders are in acrylic enclosures, so heat mats aren't an option -- and I couldn't afford to keep my entire apartment at 80º+ even if I wanted to (which I don't). Opinions would be much appreciated: is it okay to keep them at room temperature, or should I plan on making the heated cabinet when I can?
As for the humidity, I thought misting arboreal species was a good idea, since they like to drink off the glass. I do have the substrate moistened in all of my arboreal enclosures, but not to the point where there is a TON of condensation. Should I remedy this? Again, I know these are ridiculously basic questions, but it confuses me a bit when the advice of knowledgable keepers seems to conflict.
Thanks in advance for any input.
- Always keep Ts at 78-90 degrees
- Don't mist the tank, because it just makes the inside of the container wet and does nothing to help hydrate the spider. Instead, make the substrate super moist until there is visible condensation in the enclosure.
- New Ts should always be acclimated in a hot (mid-80s), humid environment, otherwise the changes in conditions can cause great stress.
Once I move to a larger place at the end of the summer, I could theoretically build a heated cabinet, but I definitely don't have the space to do so now. Most of my spiders are in acrylic enclosures, so heat mats aren't an option -- and I couldn't afford to keep my entire apartment at 80º+ even if I wanted to (which I don't). Opinions would be much appreciated: is it okay to keep them at room temperature, or should I plan on making the heated cabinet when I can?
As for the humidity, I thought misting arboreal species was a good idea, since they like to drink off the glass. I do have the substrate moistened in all of my arboreal enclosures, but not to the point where there is a TON of condensation. Should I remedy this? Again, I know these are ridiculously basic questions, but it confuses me a bit when the advice of knowledgable keepers seems to conflict.
Thanks in advance for any input.