kellysaxez
Arachnosquire
- Joined
- May 16, 2014
- Messages
- 109
I thought I would log the development of my H. arizonensis' enclosure. It is a 30 Gal high glass aquarium. To get it started, I've used one 50lb bag of play sand and one 10lb bag of excavator clay. I've mixed it while dry in a large bucket, and am storing it there until needed for use, at which time I remove the amount needed to a separate bucket and mix it with water until moist enough to retain its shape if squeezed in my fist and then add it to the tank.
I am laying down one small section at a time, about an inch, inch and a half deep, and letting it dry using some commercial lights and a heat lamp to help out. It will probably take 48 - 72 hours to dry, repeating the process until the tank is finished. In the middle I've placed a small piece of Plexi glass to prevent the critter from tunneling into the Void never to be seen again...
I will add another same sized piece at the end of the one in now to form a "T" shape.
The tall piece of PVC pipe in the corner is standing in a small mound of cocoa peat fiber, covered in the clay/sand substrate, to provide an easy method of hydration via pouring in a small amount of water, which will hopefully moisten only the section the pipe is in, once every month and a half or so.
At the front of the tank is a long piece of cork bark it might want to burrow into and it's placed against the glass to enable easy viewing if she does decide to use it.
At finish, I hope to have at least 10 inches of substrate on the perimeters of the tank, sloping down in the middle to a depth of about 6 inches. I plan on adding more places to burrow, some desert scrubs/plants, some rock formations, and maybe a dusting of Red or Orange or Desert Tan Reptisand to the depth of a half inch or so over the top. We'll see what happens as I go along
Photos of development are included and will be updated. Any advice or guidance is appreciated. Special thanks to "Shebeen" for his infinite patience and kindness. Apologies in advance to the Moderators if I err in any way.
Kelly
Ha adult female in her temp KK.
The beginning of her permanent home.
I am laying down one small section at a time, about an inch, inch and a half deep, and letting it dry using some commercial lights and a heat lamp to help out. It will probably take 48 - 72 hours to dry, repeating the process until the tank is finished. In the middle I've placed a small piece of Plexi glass to prevent the critter from tunneling into the Void never to be seen again...
I will add another same sized piece at the end of the one in now to form a "T" shape.
The tall piece of PVC pipe in the corner is standing in a small mound of cocoa peat fiber, covered in the clay/sand substrate, to provide an easy method of hydration via pouring in a small amount of water, which will hopefully moisten only the section the pipe is in, once every month and a half or so.
At the front of the tank is a long piece of cork bark it might want to burrow into and it's placed against the glass to enable easy viewing if she does decide to use it.
At finish, I hope to have at least 10 inches of substrate on the perimeters of the tank, sloping down in the middle to a depth of about 6 inches. I plan on adding more places to burrow, some desert scrubs/plants, some rock formations, and maybe a dusting of Red or Orange or Desert Tan Reptisand to the depth of a half inch or so over the top. We'll see what happens as I go along
Photos of development are included and will be updated. Any advice or guidance is appreciated. Special thanks to "Shebeen" for his infinite patience and kindness. Apologies in advance to the Moderators if I err in any way.
Kelly
Ha adult female in her temp KK.
The beginning of her permanent home.
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