Where to go to start on an arboreal set-up?

Cocoa-Jin · 12-09-2007, 01:15 AM

I want to build an arboreal, hardwood, monsoon forest set-up(replicating South-East Indian mountainous hardwood forests). Its for an arboreal tarantula.

I would like a tall set-up, perhaps an octagon to place the trunk and foliage in the center. I need a flase bottom with a pull out tray to collect water run-off so I can dispose of it. A means of creating fog, access from the top and possible also the front/side. Ventilation, but well sealed so the feeders cant get out(roaches, crickets, anoles, etc)

Nicely stained wood cabnitery and hood are also desirable. I know its a lot to ask, but Im totally new at this and I need help finding good and reputable sources, "how to"s, etc...pre-fabricated and custom builders are an option.

I'd like to go sort of big, 3-5ft tall, maybe 2ft wide or so.

Any ideas? web-sites? retailers? how-to sites/books? advice?

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matt s · 12-09-2007, 04:08 AM

Well they have a smaller 24" by 18" by 24" Exo Terras and there awesome but with you wanting one that tall heres What I would DEFINATLY do. Buy a 90 gallon aquarium and do this. http://pangeareptile.com/forums/show...ght=Green+Moss
If you decide not to do a nasty spider lol (my opinion no offense)
If you want a super cool lizard get a Mountain Horned dragon I think there awesome I love mine!

http://www.froggieb.com/MHDCaresheet.html

Cocoa-Jin · 12-09-2007, 04:20 AM

Sweet thanks, for the help, it certainly is giving me ideas. I still need a means of removing a tray from the false bottom, perferably without needing to open the main living area. The spider I want can get big, is very fast and can cause medicially significant respones from its venom(one of the few nasty bites in the hobby).

I know it just sounds like an icky spider, but our hobby has some absolutly goregous specimens...my arboreal being one of the prettiest.

**BiscuitSlayer** · 12-09-2007, 04:24 AM

What kind of spider are you going to get?

Cocoa-Jin · 12-09-2007, 04:43 AM

genus: Poecilotheria

Top of my list is a P. metallica (a.k.a Gooty Sapphire),second is P. Ornata, P. Regalis, P. Formosa

If not them, then genus:Avicularia

top of my list there is an A. Versicolor, second is the Avicularia sp. "Peru Purple"

Oh yeah, how can I forget this one...Cyriopagopus spec blue 2 Malaysia

There are various locations on teh web where you can find nice pics of these guys. I spend my time and learn most about these beauties on an archnoid forum...www.arachnoboards.com

**BiscuitSlayer** · 12-09-2007, 06:26 AM

Do you currently have any other tarantulas?

Cocoa-Jin · 12-09-2007, 07:33 AM

Just a terrastrial specimen...a Chilean Rose.

**BiscuitSlayer** · 12-09-2007, 09:47 AM

Thats cool. Having dealt with arboreal snakes in the past, I can relate to the temperment of the spider that you are interested in. I guess animals that live in trees tend to be more defensive for some reason. I had an emerald tree boa that had a set of fangs on it that could easily penetrate a thick leather work glove. For all intents and purposes, you were not any better off wearing a glove versus not wearing a glove.

Good luck with your enclosure. The link posted earlier in the thread looks pretty promising. I never would have thought of tipping an aquarium on its side like that. That might make it fairly easy to create that removable pan that you were talking about.

matt s · 12-09-2007, 05:11 PM

Ya on the lower door part put another hinge and cut a cat litter box down to size and slide it in its really as easy as that.

Cocoa-Jin · 12-09-2007, 07:20 PM

Anyone have pics of something like that...the hinge set-up and cat litter bin thing.

It helps if I can see it before doing it.

Cocoa-Jin · 04-02-2008, 08:04 AM

Ok, I finally got the arboreal tarantula. Its a baby, less than an inch across. This means i have time to build its set-up.

What Im looking for now are threes. I was looking into Ficus trees F. Benjamina, but Im concerned it will be to temperamental to maintain in the terrarium.

Im looking for something that shares the same benefits/characteritics of the ficus without the fuss. I would like a woody, broad-leafed tree, adapted to relativly high humidity, no need for bright lights(it'll be in a south facing room with ambient light from a window it will be in front of), minimal fertilizing. Stout/thick trunk and branches would be a plus...and lastly, non-toxic to invertebrates/insects, etc.

I could make use of Bonsai techniques to try and fatten the trunks if neccessary.

12-09-2007, 01:15 AM	#1 (permalink)
Cocoa-Jin Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0) Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Oakland, CA Posts: 6	Where to go to start on an arboreal set-up? I want to build an arboreal, hardwood, monsoon forest set-up(replicating South-East Indian mountainous hardwood forests). Its for an arboreal tarantula. I would like a tall set-up, perhaps an octagon to place the trunk and foliage in the center. I need a flase bottom with a pull out tray to collect water run-off so I can dispose of it. A means of creating fog, access from the top and possible also the front/side. Ventilation, but well sealed so the feeders cant get out(roaches, crickets, anoles, etc) Nicely stained wood cabnitery and hood are also desirable. I know its a lot to ask, but Im totally new at this and I need help finding good and reputable sources, "how to"s, etc...pre-fabricated and custom builders are an option. I'd like to go sort of big, 3-5ft tall, maybe 2ft wide or so. Any ideas? web-sites? retailers? how-to sites/books? advice? Last edited by Cocoa-Jin : 12-09-2007 at 07:37 AM.

12-09-2007, 04:08 AM	#2 (permalink)
matt s Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0) Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 204	Well they have a smaller 24" by 18" by 24" Exo Terras and there awesome but with you wanting one that tall heres What I would DEFINATLY do. Buy a 90 gallon aquarium and do this. http://pangeareptile.com/forums/show...ght=Green+Moss If you decide not to do a nasty spider lol (my opinion no offense) If you want a super cool lizard get a Mountain Horned dragon I think there awesome I love mine! http://www.froggieb.com/MHDCaresheet.html __________________ Aquariums are like lays potato chips, You can't have just one! -Owner of many tanks including lots of cichlids everywhere from 5" Angelfish to my 14" Oscars 48 Gallon Planted project: http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/ph...l-journal.html

12-09-2007, 05:11 PM	#9 (permalink)
matt s Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0) Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 204	Ya on the lower door part put another hinge and cut a cat litter box down to size and slide it in its really as easy as that. __________________ Aquariums are like lays potato chips, You can't have just one! -Owner of many tanks including lots of cichlids everywhere from 5" Angelfish to my 14" Oscars 48 Gallon Planted project: http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/ph...l-journal.html

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12-09-2007, 04:20 AM	#3 (permalink)
Cocoa-Jin Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0) Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Oakland, CA Posts: 6	Sweet thanks, for the help, it certainly is giving me ideas. I still need a means of removing a tray from the false bottom, perferably without needing to open the main living area. The spider I want can get big, is very fast and can cause medicially significant respones from its venom(one of the few nasty bites in the hobby). I know it just sounds like an icky spider, but our hobby has some absolutly goregous specimens...my arboreal being one of the prettiest.

12-09-2007, 04:24 AM	#4 (permalink)
BiscuitSlayer Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (4) Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Acworth, GA Posts: 1,568	What kind of spider are you going to get?

12-09-2007, 04:43 AM	#5 (permalink)
Cocoa-Jin Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0) Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Oakland, CA Posts: 6	genus: Poecilotheria Top of my list is a P. metallica (a.k.a Gooty Sapphire),second is P. Ornata, P. Regalis, P. Formosa If not them, then genus:Avicularia top of my list there is an A. Versicolor, second is the Avicularia sp. "Peru Purple" Oh yeah, how can I forget this one...Cyriopagopus spec blue 2 Malaysia There are various locations on teh web where you can find nice pics of these guys. I spend my time and learn most about these beauties on an archnoid forum...www.arachnoboards.com

12-09-2007, 06:26 AM	#6 (permalink)
BiscuitSlayer Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (4) Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Acworth, GA Posts: 1,568	Do you currently have any other tarantulas?

12-09-2007, 07:33 AM	#7 (permalink)
Cocoa-Jin Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0) Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Oakland, CA Posts: 6	Just a terrastrial specimen...a Chilean Rose.

12-09-2007, 09:47 AM	#8 (permalink)
BiscuitSlayer Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (4) Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Acworth, GA Posts: 1,568	Thats cool. Having dealt with arboreal snakes in the past, I can relate to the temperment of the spider that you are interested in. I guess animals that live in trees tend to be more defensive for some reason. I had an emerald tree boa that had a set of fangs on it that could easily penetrate a thick leather work glove. For all intents and purposes, you were not any better off wearing a glove versus not wearing a glove. Good luck with your enclosure. The link posted earlier in the thread looks pretty promising. I never would have thought of tipping an aquarium on its side like that. That might make it fairly easy to create that removable pan that you were talking about.

12-09-2007, 07:20 PM	#10 (permalink)
Cocoa-Jin Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0) Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Oakland, CA Posts: 6	Anyone have pics of something like that...the hinge set-up and cat litter bin thing. It helps if I can see it before doing it.

04-02-2008, 08:04 AM	#11 (permalink)
Cocoa-Jin Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0) Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Oakland, CA Posts: 6	Ok, I finally got the arboreal tarantula. Its a baby, less than an inch across. This means i have time to build its set-up. What Im looking for now are threes. I was looking into Ficus trees F. Benjamina, but Im concerned it will be to temperamental to maintain in the terrarium. Im looking for something that shares the same benefits/characteritics of the ficus without the fuss. I would like a woody, broad-leafed tree, adapted to relativly high humidity, no need for bright lights(it'll be in a south facing room with ambient light from a window it will be in front of), minimal fertilizing. Stout/thick trunk and branches would be a plus...and lastly, non-toxic to invertebrates/insects, etc. I could make use of Bonsai techniques to try and fatten the trunks if neccessary.