going for it!

[mr.spooky]

ok,, lets get this out in the open, im scared of spiders.. not that im scared of spiders, but im scared of spiders that i cant see,, like when im under houses, in my boots, clothes that i havent wore in a while, and stuff like that... shew, now i feel better.... anyway, after looking at T's for a while,, i want one! i think that i have it narrowed down to a OW T, but the one that i want, im not sure.
here is my thoughts that lead me to the old world,,,, i dont want anything that kicks, but im into the "wow factor". i would like something that is full of colors, but maby terrestrial. im not too worried about the dangers of one v/s the other because iv had "hots" in the past and i respect each animal as it should be respected.
soooo im going to the city tomorrow and would like to get a "set up" for a T. i understand that different ones need different temps, but just as a basic enclosure, what do yall thing should be on the list for a good home?
thanks
spooky

[Boanerges]

Kind of need to know the kind and size of the tarantula in mind before I can personally give my opinion on that. I also would highly recommend you not choose a Old World tarantula as your first. But people before you have done it and the descision is ultimately yours bug IMO it is not the best idea.

[Skittles1101]

It depends on what size you get it as and what type. If you get it as a sling, the smaller the better. I had my versi in a small vial (arboreal), it's only about 4-5 inches long.



I have my larger mexican red knee (terrestrial) in a carry home container (like the ones you get from expos). It's about 6" x 8" if I had to guess, I just poked some holes in the sides and top for ventillation.


I also just recently found these acrylic boxes from Michaels craft stores, in 3 different sizes, I soldered holes in the sides and top. I just used a metal hanger heated up on my stove. This one is 4" x 3" x 3" I believe...my greenbottle blue is in it (semi-arboreal)


As for substrate, I use either coco fiber or unfertilized potting soil. Terrestrial spiders get deeper substrate, arboreal spider get less

Good luck! I suggest handling a few before you make a solid decision.

[mr.spooky]

thanks for the reply.
as far as the size, med. to large,, and PLEASE, give reasons for "not the best idea". im totally open for input from experenced keepers. let me first say that im not wanting something to handle. when i had hots, i never touched them, only used hooks, only during maintence. i understand that some are faster than others, but i dont have a true concept as of how fast fast is,, if you understand what im saying. i havent been able to find a "fast" T vid on youtube. all i can find is basic stuff that im truly comfortable with.
but please, school me. i like learning about everything, and then making an educated decision on what would suit me best.
thanks again
spooky

[mr.spooky]

It depends on what size you get it as and what type. If you get it as a sling, the smaller the better. I had my versi in a small vial (arboreal), it's only about 4-5 inches long.



I have my larger mexican red knee (terrestrial) in a carry home container (like the ones you get from expos). It's about 6" x 8" if I had to guess, I just poked some holes in the sides and top for ventillation.


I also just recently found these acrylic boxes from Michaels craft stores, in 3 different sizes, I soldered holes in the sides and top. I just used a metal hanger heated up on my stove. This one is 4" x 3" x 3" I believe...my greenbottle blue is in it (semi-arboreal)


As for substrate, I use either coco fiber or unfertilized potting soil. Terrestrial spiders get deeper substrate, arboreal spider get less

Good luck! I suggest handling a few before you make a solid decision.

there aint no handiling where im at (BFE)LOL,,,, maby ill just go to one of those craft stores and get all of the cubes that they have to offer and then go from there.
quick Q about terrestial and aboreal,,,, is one more seclusive than the other? i gotta be honest,, if i drop a few bills on something,, iwould like to see it every once in a whilw.
thanks
spooky

[Skittles1101]

I think arboreal or semi arboreal species will be "seen" more often since they usually hang up out high in their webbing, and some terrestrial species will burrow. I can honestly say I can think of quite a few colorful and more "beginner" choices than the OW Ts...

[mr.spooky]

I think arboreal or semi arboreal species will be "seen" more often since they usually hang up out high in their webbing, and some terrestrial species will burrow. I can honestly say I can think of quite a few colorful and more "beginner" choices than the OW Ts...

wich ones and why???? sorry for all the direct questions, but i like direct answers. ,,, but no matter what i choose, would a cube and basic substrate be all i need? also, it seems to me that with a aboreal, you would wnt to put the cube upside down (lid on bottom) and terrestrial lid on top. is this right?
before i do anything,, i want to get the right set up.
thanks
spooky

[Skittles1101]

Well A.Versis are very colorful, greenbottle blues, mexican red knees (or fire legs), goldenknees, I like brazilian blacks but they arent very colorful. Here's a good list, and here. As far as those cubes, the lid is on top for mine, I'd think if the lid was on the bottom then all the substrate would fall out when you open it no? I'm also going to throw a stick in my arboreal enclosures. For very small slings I just mist a water bottle cap every 3 days and put it in the enclosure, for my larger one I keep a water bottle cap with water in it.

[mr.spooky]

thanks for the info! i dig the fire legs, alot,,,, but from what i understand,,, arent they prone to kicking alot????
also the reason i asumed about the upside down thing was if a aborial makes its web up high,, wouldent you destroy it by opening up the top every time????
please bear with me, these are just thoughts going through my mind... im truly clueless.
spooky

[Skittles1101]

I really wouldn't be afraid of having hairs kicked at you, it's a risk just like getting bit by a snake if you own them. If you see them starting to kick you just put them back and take a hot shower. I have yet to witness hair kicking, apparently mexican red knees do it until they calm down, but mine hasn't, and really tolerates handling well.

As far as the lid, their webs are pretty strong. My versi used to web all the way to the cap and I'd take the cap off and it'd still be intact