Wicking Effect

[Mrarachnid1st]

I have been "battling" most of my terrestrial T's over the covering of their water dishes. They either bury the dish or pile their excavation next to the dish creating the Wicking effect. When they bury the dish I simply bring the dish up to grade level. The wicking effect that happens is interesting. The excavated peat that gets into the dish effectively drains the dish into the substrate. I generally wait until they have dug their burrows to their liking before clearing the dish.

However, I have a few that create such a heavy web mat that they will cover the dish and the webbing seems to also have a wicking effect on the water dishes. I will tear the webbing to allow the water to get into the dish rather than beading off the top. But I have noticed that the dish will be near empty not long after filling. So it seems that the web is causing a Wicking effect to the water dish.

I do try to bring the dish up on top of the webbing but in a couple of days the dish will be webbed over again. Anyone else deal with this?

 

[Merfolk]

They are no water dishes in nature. I only supply one for my desert sp...

I mist quite often, and when it realy gets dry, I pour a whole glass of water.

T's actualy drink water that is usualy impregnated into something, or drops that linger after it rains. Can't picture a T squatin on a riverbank and drink Bambi style

 

[Mrarachnid1st]

They are no water dishes in nature. I only supply one for my desert sp...

I mist quite often, and when it realy gets dry, I pour a whole glass of water.

T's actualy drink water that is usualy impregnated into something, or drops that linger after it rains. Can't picture a T squatin on a riverbank and drink Bambi style

Well water dishes in nature do actually occur....as you said after a rain. Leaves with a cup-like shape do tend to hold water for a period of time. Living in Florida presents a different challenge when keeping T's...High Relative humidity...even in "winter". The relative humidity, today for instance, is 46% and this is indoor. The summer is far worse with a relative humidity of around 60% indoor. Because of the high humidity evaporation happens slower and the chance of molds, mildews, and other problems are greater. I use water dishes because I can regulate. Pouring water directly into the substrate is not an option as the substrate would not dry out fast enough to keep the molds and such from growing. In my 15 years of T keeping I found that water dishes work best so as to keep the molds and such from taking over.

 

[becca81]

I've all but stopped doing water dishes except for a few species. If a spider continually empties out the dish or does something else to remove the water, I don't bother.

I feed on a regular basis and most of their moisture comes from the food that is offered.

I've had a Brachypelma boehmei that I purchased as a large spiderling and during one transfer it ended up in a vial with no substrate with the intention of transferring it to a full container later that evening. After forgetting about it for a day or so, I was curious what would happen if I left it in there and only offered food on a regular basis - no substrate, no water dish.

Well, it's been a few years and the spider has fed on a regular basis, molted a number of times, and is doing quite fine. I intend to move her to a normal container with substrate sometime in the next 6 months for future breeding, but she's done well for a few years with no water dish available, only getting water from food. I would offer a small bit of water in the vial after a molt and that was all - she would begin eating several days after.

I'm not saying that my example is absolute - by no means is it. However, I do feel that too much emphasis is placed on water dishes overall.

 

[Mrarachnid1st]

I've all but stopped doing water dishes except for a few species. If a spider continually empties out the dish or does something else to remove the water, I don't bother.

I feed on a regular basis and most of their moisture comes from the food that is offered.

I've had a Brachypelma boehmei that I purchased as a large spiderling and during one transfer it ended up in a vial with no substrate with the intention of transferring it to a full container later that evening. After forgetting about it for a day or so, I was curious what would happen if I left it in there and only offered food on a regular basis - no substrate, no water dish.

Well, it's been a few years and the spider has fed on a regular basis, molted a number of times, and is doing quite fine. I intend to move her to a normal container with substrate sometime in the next 6 months for future breeding, but she's done well for a few years with no water dish available, only getting water from food. I would offer a small bit of water in the vial after a molt and that was all - she would begin eating several days after.

I'm not saying that my example is absolute - by no means is it. However, I do feel that too much emphasis is placed on water dishes overall.

I will try going without the dish on my "problem child". I do have a A. Genic that drinks from it regularly. She is fed on a regular basis but for one reason or another needs to drink. I give my crix a slice of orange or potato to plump them up so I know the crix are loaded when eaten.

 

[Nitibus]

I've said it before and I'll say it again : I'd much rather they have a water dish and not need it, then need it and not have it.

It only takes like three seconds a week to fill up a water dish.

 

[desertdweller]

Well water dishes in nature do actually occur....as you said after a rain. Leaves with a cup-like shape do tend to hold water for a period of time. Living in Florida presents a different challenge when keeping T's...High Relative humidity...even in "winter". The relative humidity, today for instance, is 46% and this is indoor. The summer is far worse with a relative humidity of around 60% indoor. Because of the high humidity evaporation happens slower and the chance of molds, mildews, and other problems are greater. I use water dishes because I can regulate. Pouring water directly into the substrate is not an option as the substrate would not dry out fast enough to keep the molds and such from growing. In my 15 years of T keeping I found that water dishes work best so as to keep the molds and such from taking over.

I have several big diggers and they too regularly rearrange their tanks right after I fill their water dish. I haven't yet had the web-wicking effect but I have found that upon giving them a larger tank they burrow in one area, web in another and drink from the dish instead of filling it with dirt.

You're right about nature providing water dishes. Here in the desert it is called "water pockets." Rain and run-off fills the depressions in rock and waterways and this becomes a water source for all. I have often, in early morning or late at night, observed many species of spiders, mammals and ungulates drinking at the same time from one of these many oases.

Thanks for the topic.

 

[ShadowBlade]

I don't worry about water dishes, save my four favorite species I keep 'showcased'. I pamper them everyday.

-Sean

 

[-Sarah-]

I've said it before and I'll say it again : I'd much rather they have a water dish and not need it, then need it and not have it.

It only takes like three seconds a week to fill up a water dish.

I agree with you, I'd rather they have in case they need it All of my tarantulas use their water dishes.

-Sarah

 

[matthias]

I have been "battling" most of my terrestrial T's over the covering of their water dishes. They either bury the dish or pile their excavation next to the dish creating the Wicking effect. When they bury the dish I simply bring the dish up to grade level. The wicking effect that happens is interesting. The excavated peat that gets into the dish effectively drains the dish into the substrate. I generally wait until they have dug their burrows to their liking before clearing the dish.

However, I have a few that create such a heavy web mat that they will cover the dish and the webbing seems to also have a wicking effect on the water dishes. I will tear the webbing to allow the water to get into the dish rather than beading off the top. But I have noticed that the dish will be near empty not long after filling. So it seems that the web is causing a Wicking effect to the water dish.

I do try to bring the dish up on top of the webbing but in a couple of days the dish will be webbed over again. Anyone else deal with this?

Yep I've noticed this with many of my T's. Particularly the borrowers. I've been wondering if they don't use this to get the water to where they want it.
Either into the borrow or out of the "watter Pocket" so it doesn't go into the borrow.

I've also notice that some of my drier species, like my P. scrofa and all the GBB's, will web over their watter dish almost like it's offensive and needs to be contained.

I just clean it out and dig them out during feeds. I'm much rather they had it available if they should ever want/need it then not.

 

[DrJ]

I also agree with the philosophy that it is better to have it and not need it, than not have it and need it. Plus, I've cought almost all my tarantulas drinking at one time or another, and they are fed well, and misted when needed. Even my Citharischious crawshayi, which likes a dry environment drinks water on a regular basis. Same goes for all my Brachypelmas, Grammostolas, and lone Aphonopelma. I'd stick with the dish.

 

[Annie3Ponies]

Wow, Dr.J, your C. crawshayi emerges on a regular basis? You are so lucky!!! (well mine does too, once every 3 months or so)