Terrarium Closure Alternative Experiment - Bra Clips

Spifdar

Arachnopeon
Joined
Sep 27, 2024
Messages
20
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 :D

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!
 
Last edited:

viper69

ArachnoGod
Old Timer
Joined
Dec 8, 2006
Messages
18,677
A video would be better for some. Let’s see what kind of traction you get. New ideas always welcome.
 

Tentacle Toast

Arachnobaron
Arachnosupporter +
Joined
Jul 6, 2016
Messages
593
Haha, that's awesome! What novel approach...I wouldn't worry as much about the appearance of the end result, as much as proof of concept. Cool you made it a "how to" thread, to boot..
My only concern for security would be how well that glue held that cloth under tension to the plastic. It'd be unfortunate if it gave way in the middle of the night. I wonder if some type of "rivet" would hold just as well without that risk. Either way, it's got the added benefit of thwarting any middle school males from messing with your T, LoL
Great idea, thanks for sharing!
 

TheraMygale

Arachnoangel
Arachnosupporter +
Joined
Mar 20, 2024
Messages
937
Good attempt. And good first postings. I can see you tried to be thourough.

I hope you didnt steal these ladies things 😇🤪🤣

tons for cheap at used stores as well.

i think its a very legitimate tryout. Some breasts way many pounds. These things are meant to withhold a lot of weight.

I dont use those optessive machines for myself, but if i had them, these would be better used for tarantulas.

i use rocks for my enclosures lacking locks, and those i dont trust 😈
 

Brewser

RebAraneae
Arachnosupporter +
Joined
Nov 28, 2023
Messages
1,140
Perhaps Velcro Strips would work as well.
 

Mustafa67

Arachnoknight
Active Member
Joined
Jun 29, 2021
Messages
275
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 :D

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!
I’d never have thought of using bras to make T enclosures :rofl:
 
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