After seeing complaints that the vibration of (strong) magnets' snaps and the tearing of velcro tends to startle some folks' tarantulas, and with a desire to secure my own acrylic enclosure, I've done a little experiment. It's cheap/easy for homemade enclosures, which is probably the only pro. Cons: you can pull it upward enough to create a bit of a gap for slings, but I don't think spiderlings will have the strength to push it up high enough to make that gap. It'd work well for larger spiders, I think. Fabric may prove conducive to mold or other rot; I've had this for all of three minutes so I've no idea yet. It's also ugly as sin
Disclaimer, I'm not a handy person in general and this is a first attempt. I'm sure others could improve it, and I'm sure plastic hinges or latches off Amazon or the like would be much better looking. But this seems to at least be viable so I figured I would share. I imagine that simple elastic bandage + clips would work similarly.
Used: glue gun + glue rod, old bra (at least 2 each of loops and hooks) or similar, scissors, terrarium.
Get everything out, and get the glue gun pre-heating. (I'd do this on an entirely empty terrarium in case of glue fumes--don't worry, there's no spider in mine.)
1. You want to cut the 'loop' parts into cloth-backed squares. Leave the bit of padding that extends past the hook so you don't scrape acrylic every time you're trying to hook these. (If there's loose cloth 'layers,' glue these together before proceeding.)
2. Test-place the loop, end facing upward. This part won't stretch, so you can place it relatively high on the edge of the container; just make sure the lid closure doesn't overlap it.
3. Glue it in place by sticking a dab of hot glue there, and pressing the hook piece in place.
4. Cut a long stretch of fabric with the 'hook' portion. Do not worry about trimming this now. Trim excess fabric -after- it's glued in place.
5. Hook the hook into the loop, then pull it over onto the lid where you'd like it to be glued. Ensure it's taut, but not overly tight (or you'll never get the thing unhooked later). Place a dab of glue under it, glue it in place, hold it until firm.
6. Trim the loose excess fabric as desired.
7. Close the terrarium lid and test hooking/unhooking before proceeding, so you can get an idea of if you've done it too loose or too tight. With that in mind...
8. Repeat for as many latches as you want.
Finished, very ugly product:
@Tentacle Toast I know you wanted to see this when it was done!
Disclaimer, I'm not a handy person in general and this is a first attempt. I'm sure others could improve it, and I'm sure plastic hinges or latches off Amazon or the like would be much better looking. But this seems to at least be viable so I figured I would share. I imagine that simple elastic bandage + clips would work similarly.
Used: glue gun + glue rod, old bra (at least 2 each of loops and hooks) or similar, scissors, terrarium.
Get everything out, and get the glue gun pre-heating. (I'd do this on an entirely empty terrarium in case of glue fumes--don't worry, there's no spider in mine.)
1. You want to cut the 'loop' parts into cloth-backed squares. Leave the bit of padding that extends past the hook so you don't scrape acrylic every time you're trying to hook these. (If there's loose cloth 'layers,' glue these together before proceeding.)
2. Test-place the loop, end facing upward. This part won't stretch, so you can place it relatively high on the edge of the container; just make sure the lid closure doesn't overlap it.
3. Glue it in place by sticking a dab of hot glue there, and pressing the hook piece in place.
4. Cut a long stretch of fabric with the 'hook' portion. Do not worry about trimming this now. Trim excess fabric -after- it's glued in place.
5. Hook the hook into the loop, then pull it over onto the lid where you'd like it to be glued. Ensure it's taut, but not overly tight (or you'll never get the thing unhooked later). Place a dab of glue under it, glue it in place, hold it until firm.
6. Trim the loose excess fabric as desired.
7. Close the terrarium lid and test hooking/unhooking before proceeding, so you can get an idea of if you've done it too loose or too tight. With that in mind...
8. Repeat for as many latches as you want.
Finished, very ugly product:
@Tentacle Toast I know you wanted to see this when it was done!
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