How To Choose The Best Substrate For Your Tarantula

[@MaskBandit6]

I put my spiders in mix of coconut fiber, river sand, topsoil, organic compost, and charcoal and my spider is doing super well and loves to eat thanks for the feedback love you

[@TarantulaHeaven]

Yayyyy!!!

[@MaskBandit6]

@@TarantulaHeaven thanks

[@Spyder0000]

I've been keeping Tarantulas since I was 8 yrs old and I'm 51 now❤ I love them all.

[@TarantulaHeaven]

Oh my goodness! You're a veteran of the hobby :)

[@Spyder0000]

I had the holy heck given to me for not using enough substrate for my Pelinobius muticus ( KING BABOON ). But I DID learn that they like more substrate.❤❤❤thanks for sharing your knowledge with me!!❤❤❤🕷️🦗

[@TarantulaHeaven]

Oh yes they WILL let you know when you mess up!

[@klaskristian1]

For a very long time i have just walked out in the forrest and dug up the ammount of substrate that i need. We have kind of like claybased soil and i mix in a little topsoil in it. It works very well if you have a small collection like i have. I have steerd away from peat because it is not enviromental good, and coco fibre i have never liked. So yes, dig up a little soil is very convinient and free of charge. I have sometimes used soil from my garden without any diffrent. In Seeden campared to USA we use very little pesticides. I would not dream to use it. I want pollinatimg insects to be present in my garden, and i dont like the idea to soray poisons in our nature. So i have collected durt for years from forrest and my garden with zero problems

[@TarantulaHeaven]

That is so interesting, thank you for sharing that. I agree other places in the world probably has tarantula practices that wouldn't work as well in the USA. Our soil is very poor and chemical-filled.

[@jameswyatt2739]

This was by far one of your best works. Totally impressed. Have you ever added small amounts of sand and or carbon with your mix? I do my tarantulas seem to enjoy the substrate. I have 4 that think they are miners. They seem do very well with the mix for tunnels. See you in a week.

[@TarantulaHeaven]

I actually haven't done sand or carbon! Your 4 Ts sound like my Arizona Blonde. That little thing just LOVES to dig their little tunnels.

[@felishiadarling]

I am trying to figure out what to do. I almost bought a bag of that but didn’t because on the bag it says “Not for desert enclosures” also I heard sand holds moisture and isn’t good for Arizona blond because they burrow up to 12” deep. I’m frustrated there’s not a better more specific product for terantulas

[@TarantulaHeaven]

Hmmm...I totally agree, sand is not good for tarantulas. I had an Arizona blonde who seemed to like coconut husk fibre. It would burrow a lot.

[@wallydyer5561]

Do you dampen the substrate when she is possibly moulting ?

[@TarantulaHeaven]

I don't, but my particular species (g rosea) doesn't need a lot of moisture on the ground (in fact, she hates it lol). The only thing I do for moisture is make sure she has a full water dish esp if she is molting

[@matthewpetersen4417]

so I bought reptisoil and it just pools up water, I have a Theraphosa apophysis coming and I want to fix this issue before it gets here. Should I mix my own.

[@TarantulaHeaven]

Hmm...I would check out the substrate and moisture requirements for this species. Unfortunately I am not so familiar with this species' care.

[@sh1tbl1zzard]

you can mix your own substrate, coco fiber and moss works well for retaining moisture. i would not use a hide like the one is this video as they mold very easily when damp. t. apophysis needs 80-85% humidity. so lower levels of substrate should be damp/ one side of the tanks substrate. covering top ventilation but keeping cross ventilation is another good way to retain that moisture. good luck theraphosa are amazing and beastly

[@RexEdits1]

I have a curly hair what substrate do u recommend I use coco fiber and it’s starting to get mold