Ok...You people and your Ts are killing me!

I'm not sure what the deal is, but it seems that when one achieves ball python ownership than one must progress to big arse (I think I can say that...admin?!) spiders. I'm not sure if its a natural progression or some terrible malady. In short- I have caught the T fever.

My questions to you all:

(1)Where/who do you suggest getting your Ts from?
(2)Where do you prefer to get your supplies (substrate, enclosure, etcetera)?
(3)What Ts do you suggest for a first timer? I want something that is hardy. It can be a mean SOB just as long as it is tough. I have recently held a grumpy Haplopelma lividum. I loved her! Would they be good? Help:P

Thoughts? Comments? Questions?
:spid0r::D:spid0r:

i dunno but my bp started it all as well.after her i ended up with two emperor scorpions,a ton of bark scorpions and two tarantulas.i loved em all since i was a kid and i guess my ball opened the door like a gateway drug to inverts.

1.a local specialty store would be a good start if you dont like the shipping of your animals or the wait.online stores i have no clue but Simple Man among others got their ts from that vendor thats had really good reviews.i dont know the name of the site you can look up that post of the unboxing again.

2.substrate you can get at your local specialty shop or petsmart or petco.eco earth is good,dunno if they have peat moss.but eco earth seems to be the top contender.
enclosure depending on what your getting can be as simple as a normal tank with locking lid placed horizontally or vertically.special lids look awesome like the acrylic ones.
theres a couple websites that sell awesome t enclosures.
http://www.tarantulahomes.com/
http://tarantulacages.com/
http://jamiestarantulas.webs.com/ this one has those spiffy lids for a top fin glass tank
if you get a spiderling a well ventilated appropriately sized deli cup will suffice til its big enough for it to move into well uh a bigger home.food i get crickets and mealworms from the closest store to me,petsmart.
3. a number of people have posted the same question"good starter t"in the invert part of this forum.im a noob to ts so i cant suggest from experience or remember everything the OGs have stated.but i could vouch for Pterinochilus Murinus aka the OBT.its a hardy species with an attitude.buut you dont wanna get bit by it.heh heh heh oh and that cobalt blue the lividum has some huge fangs.beautiful specimen.i think you could get that if you were really interested in that one.just do a ton of research and ask any questions you may have and exercise caution and precautions.

hope someone gets in on this post soon as im new.

heres a link http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...d-Beginner-T-s

Thanks for the links mark and marley :)

Has anyone worked with Jamie from http://www.jamiestarantulas.com/?
Her special this month is the exact spider that I was looking for:weirdface

I get my substrate from the same place I get my feeder rats, Scales and Tails. I don't get the brick, too messy, I get the loose stuff in a bag.

You can order from Ken the buggy guy online. Think he ships Monday thru Wednesdays. But won't if the temp is over 90°.

A good starter T would be a G Pulchripes. They get big, but they are hardy. Our you can get a A Rosea. (rose hair)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Cendalla

Thanks for the links mark and marley :)

Has anyone worked with Jamie from http://www.jamiestarantulas.com/?
Her special this month is the exact spider that I was looking for:weirdface

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I am not a big poster on the weekends as I usually do not have much time now. But real quick Jaime is a cool chick and you should have no problems at all working with her!!! If I get free time tomorrow I will put my two cents in on your questions and if not tomorrow I will definitely PM you on Monday :gj:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Boanerges

I am not a big poster on the weekends as I usually do not have much time now. But real quick Jaime is a cool chick and you should have no problems at all working with her!!! If I get free time tomorrow I will put my two cents in on your questions and if not tomorrow I will definitely PM you on Monday :gj:

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Thanks. I really appreciate it. Especially since you are the one who started all the madness:D

he did!!!!
its all his fault!!
i was inspired by that inspirer of tarantulas as well!
:salute::gj:

I got my substrate at Petsmart and Ace Hardware. The Coconut Fiber was $8 for a gigantic bag and is resistant to bacteria and mold which is a big deal. I bought the vermiculite from Ace. I went with a 1:1 mix of Coconut Fiber and Vermiculite because of the water retention and ability to stay together for burrowing. I am using 4" deli cups you would get potato salad in and they will work until the slings are 1-1.5" according to what I've read. I can't help with specific species because I'm not that familiar with them yet. There are some great stickies on Arachnoboards though and Jeff and Alexa can lend some guidance if you get the time. I'm excited to check them out whenever I'm in the room! My big Seemani has made a few burrows which is amazing to see him in and out of. They are all eating great so far too. I'm totally glad I got these little guys :)

Regards,

B

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Simple Man

I got my substrate at Petsmart and Ace Hardware. The Coconut Fiber was $8 for a gigantic bag and is resistant to bacteria and mold which is a big deal. I bought the vermiculite from Ace. I went with a 1:1 mix of Coconut Fiber and Vermiculite because of the water retention and ability to stay together for burrowing. I am using 4" deli cups you would get potato salad in and they will work until the slings are 1-1.5" according to what I've read. I can't help with specific species because I'm not that familiar with them yet. There are some great stickies on Arachnoboards though and Jeff and Alexa can lend some guidance if you get the time. I'm excited to check them out whenever I'm in the room! My big Seemani has made a few burrows which is amazing to see him in and out of. They are all eating great so far too. I'm totally glad I got these little guys :)

Regards,

B

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With the coconut and vermiculite being 1:1 what is the water ratio you use? How much air flow do you have for the deli cups?

I used 1 cup the same size for water too. No noticeable standing water but if you squeeze the mixture it has water drop from it. Basically it was 1:1:1. I use 8 pokes in each deli cup. Condensation is visible on all sides and the top. My room temps are 80-82 and they are on my QT rack spare chunk of heat tape for now. I've heard that 90's will make them eat more and grow faster because their metabolism is higher. The two smaller ones are eating microcrickets and the 1" Seemani is eating small crickets in succession. If your Versicolor is 1" you might need some small crickets! I'm not sure how big those FFF are but if I remember correctly from when I used to raise tree frogs they are pretty tiny.

Regards,

B