Hey all

Thought I'd introduce myself, I stay in the Edenvale area and have 3 T's. Started in dec this year )

I've got the following spiders:

Brachypelma vagans - Mexican Red Rump (approx 3.5cm)
Avicularia versicolor - Antilles pinktoe (approx 1cm)
Psalmopoeus irminia - Venezuelan Sun Tiger (approx 2.5cm)

By chance I bought the Antilles pinktoe only because I wanted a blue spider. After much reading, I see its one of the worlds most popular spiders amongst collectors because its so beautiful through every phase of its life (spirderlings blue and adults multi-coloured) - lucky me!

When I started, I used to buy a full tub of crickets - I'm feeding my T's once a week, so I'd only use 6 of the 30+ crickets in 2 weeks before the rest of them grow too big for the next feeding period. So I found a pet store in Edenvale who sells me single crickets rather than having to buy full tubs. Its been extremely useful to me, if you'd like their details let me know.

I got a few questions:

I spray water on the sides of the glass boxes at least once a week - is this enough? How do I know if the moisture/humidity in the box is enough for them? I dont know if I'm over doing it, or under doing it...

Winter time sucks for me and I'm sure for the spiders too! The spiders are in my computer room which I heat up with an electric heater. I heat the room until the entire room is nice and warm, then switch off the heater. I do this constantly through the day. But at night time, I'll go to bed say around 12 and switch off the heater.. but in the early hours of the morning, its extremely cold.. I only get to switching the heat back on around 7ish.. is this OK for the spiders? I know they like temperatures of around 22 dc, is it bad if they're having to go through a few hours of cold?

I've been looking at the top 10 list.. where can I purchase some of these spider breeds? Such as the Avicularia diversipes and then Typhochlaena costae?

Tx

Hey Mark. Also new to T's and have been on the forum for about 3 weeks now. Have you thought about using a heatpad for your T's? With my T's (the whole 2 of them) i bought a big heating pad and use it to keep both warm. I only switch it on at night depending on how cold it gets. I place mine on the side of my big ennclosure and just put the sling next to it. As for the hydration, for my chaco I also wet the enclosure two or three times a week, I suppose it depends on the T that you have. I'm sure some of the pro's here will also give you good advice on what to do. Welcome

Hi and welcome to the forum.

it is better to heat them at night and leave the heaters off during the day.
You don't have to heat them at 22 degrees, you can let the temps drop to 10 degrees and they will be fine.

You can buy an hygrometer to measure your humidity and thermostat for the temps or you can buy a 2 in one electrical one.

Tx guys

I've been reading the FAQs, its really helpful! Thanks!

Another Q.. can I get a DIGITAL thermometer/hygrometer from builders warehouse? If not, wheres the best place?

Just ordered mine online from reptilecity

This? www.reptilecity.co.za/catalog/product_in...=reptile-hygrometers