It's a small gap; probably less than 0.25 inches. I was nervous about putting the enclosures right up against the backing until I saw how things went with a small air gap. As a next step, I'm thinking of putting the thermostat probe in the substrate of one of the enclosures and moving it directly against the backing to see how that works. I wanted to test things out one step at a time to make sure I didn't accidentally cook my Ts.
I think after I build a better shelf I am going to purchase a few more mats and try it out aswell. If they are showing more activity for you and actively picking the warm side to rest on, that's pretty solid evidence that they prefer the warmer temperatures. Atleast a bit warmer then I'm currently providing.. I was considering just closing off my a/c vent to my room, but I'm a tad nervous It would get out of control fairly fast in the coming months giving I live in arizona.. atleast the mats would be able to provide a more controlled environment. Appreciate the information
If you have any small slings those pinheads can be hard to find locally.
I have three microscopic slings, 2 of which are heavy premolt, the third is "fatter than the sun" as viper would say, tis but a snack according to the little one
I updated with a photo of the happy dance in progress (did lose 5 crickets trying to get one in lol)
You can see the poop on wall by the vent holes. 
How dare I stare I guess 
Here it comes.....today is a good day, it's a genic pic dayBeautiful lady cambridgei posed perfectly right before turning around, aiming and shooting a perfect poop canon at the door
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My little Mrs. All Hail looking nice in her fresh clothes.
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I have bred C versi several times. Make sure you keep her fed after pairings. You are right to leave it a few days between pairings but if you see sperm webs say after 3 or 4 days, don't hold him back. It is much better when he is locked and loaded. I usually aim for 3 or 4 successful insertions and then keep the female well fed and watered. If she is going to produce a sac you will see heavier than usual webbing and often they completely seal themselves. IME, they make great mums and you should be able to leave the sac with mum. I do tend to pull the sac at about day 42 (6 weeks) for final incubation but you can pull sooner or just leave with mum and wait for the little blue floofers to emerge.
Would have been really cool if you could have deposited her in the turret under the cork bark. Instant familiar home.Andromeda, Ephebopus cyanognathus, got rehoused into her forever home. I gave her 24 hours with the old enclosure inside the new enclosure inside yet another giant enclosure to make sure she didn't escape. Looks like she came out to establish a poop corner and then went back home.
Ended up pulling her old turret out with her in it (was the last remaining thing in the enclosure but she wouldn't budge and I was afraid I'd hurt her). Guys this is my most skittish tarantula. I see flashes of her from time to time, her whole body thrice. I think I broke her
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She looks okay, she just hates me
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Found her old cork bark, and a meal
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I put a towel over the half of the enclosure with her old cork bark and where ideally I want her to set up shop. I've heard they can sometimes not re-turret after a rehouse. So far I have had a lot of luck when covering their enclosures for a few days.
Just checked on her now that it's zero dark thirty. She's smack dab in the middle of her new little world, out in the open, with a nice casual stance. Hopefully foraging for new turret
Was afraid the genic cults lost you guys for a minute there!Here it comes.....today is a good day, it's a genic pic day