First Spider ?

[Synergy]

Hey Im thinking about getting a spider but have no idea whats a good first spider...I have a 10 gallon tank that I can use for it and figured thats a good size for one... if anyone can help me out and post pictures of good newbie spiders and their names that would be greatly appreciated... Thanks... and also a quick summary on what they need as far as substrate and feeding and such... heating, light...etc Thanks again

[Venom]

First, unless you get a *very* large wolfspider or fishing spider, that tank is way too big. Try something 1/4 - 1 gallon in size--I use empty ice-cream and margarine tubs for spiders up to 3.0 inches or so. For a first spider, I'd recommend either a wolfspider ( Hogna's are great ) or a Tegenaria house spider. Both are pretty easy to care for. Just watch the humidity/ ventilation with wolfies ( especially Arctosa sp. ), as they are very susceptible to mold and bad ventilation. Another good beginner are Agelenopsis sp. "grass spiders." Keep the wolfies like small T's, with a shallow substrate, bottle-cap water dish, and some sort of retreat/ hide. Grass and house spiders require only twigs for a web-building platform and do not need a water dish. Feed them regularly or mist/ drip water on the web ( lightly ) for their moisture needs. Provide plenty of ventilation, and feed crickets and houseflies ( the Agelenopsis and Tegenaria especially love flies ). Enjoy, and let us know what you end up getting.