misting system for T. Blondi

[aquaArachnid]

thinking of creating a misting system to keep the humidity up. i don't want to use a plastic sheet due to risk of creating mold. any suggestions?

[Bigboy]

A misting system could be interesting but you'd have to be very very careful. Blondi's need high humidity but they are not amphibians. Too wet is just as bad as too dry. Getting an accurate humidity gauge and using a large tray of water should be enough to maintain proper humidity as long as you aren't using a screen cover.

[aquaArachnid]

i am using a screen cover, to prevent her getting out, cats from getting in. i know they need roughly 80-90% humidity, i have a humidity and temp gauge. a large tray would be a good idea, but i don't want to eliminate floor space.

[Bigboy]

with a screen cover you'll need to constantly saturate the soil to maintain humidity and that will kill the tarantula. Consider taping up the screen and leaving only 15-25% of it open for air flow.

[Fran]

Misting constantly will bother your tarantula too much.

If you are using screen lids just tape the edges of the screen lid so if she decides to climb she wont get a hold of the screen with the tarsi claws .

[Bjamin]

I have a water fall in my t stirmi enclosure in helps keep the humidty up and looks cool

[aquaArachnid]

I have a water fall in my t stirmi enclosure in helps keep the humidty up and looks cool

do you just have a regular screen lid? what does the humidity level stay at?

---------- Post added 01-22-2012 at 05:24 PM ----------

with a screen cover you'll need to constantly saturate the soil to maintain humidity and that will kill the tarantula. Consider taping up the screen and leaving only 15-25% of it open for air flow.

tried that, and it created a mold problem

[jayefbe]

tried that, and it created a mold problem

Humidity is a balancing act between ventilation, amount of water within the enclosure, temperature, and the ambient humidity. In my experience, a screen top is way too much ventilation for any species that needs even moderate humidity unless the ambient humidity is already quite high (not often the case indoors). I concur with Bigboy, and suggest that you cover most of the screen with plastic wrap or plexiglas. Moistening part of the soil and keeping a large water dish should keep the humidity levels at an adequate level if most of the screen is blocked off. If you're getting mold, reduce the amount of moisture in the soil. It'll take a bit of trial and error to find the perfect settings, but it's not too difficult.

[aquaArachnid]

what about what Bjamin mentioned about a waterfall?

[arachnofitz]

what about mixing perlites in the substrate?? does that help humidity and moisture??

[aquaArachnid]

right now, i've been stirring up the cocoa peat so it will keep absorbing moisture every time i spray. but there's no luck keeping it at a steady percentage.

[InvertFix]

To the OP:

I use a normal screen cover for my gal. But to keep humidity in I have her on a shelf that leaves maybe 2 inches of opening between the top of the terrarium and the shelf over head. I pour water onto one side of the enclosure making sure the underneath substrate is wet. Then I don't need to do it again for another week sometimes 2 weeks. The shelf over head keeps an ambient humidity around the terrarium. I don't have any problems with this set up.

[aquaArachnid]

could you post a pic of that setup?

[Bjamin]

Its a screen lid about 3/4 tapped off with cross ventalation as well I do mosten the sub when the humidity gets below 80 every 2 weeks or so but have had no mold problems and I use peat for a sub

do you just have a regular screen lid? what does the humidity level stay at?

---------- Post added 01-22-2012 at 05:24 PM ----------



tried that, and it created a mold problem

[InvertFix]

could you post a pic of that setup?

Once I get home from work I'll get you a picture.
It's nothing fancy and didn't cost a penny.
Haha my gal's name is Penny too. :P

But I'll be sure to get that to you asap.

Whoops, also forgot to mention, I use eco-earth and spagnum moss mixed as a sub.